By Rupert Thacker
January 9 2005

A hard-fought, abrasive game in front of a small crowd of just over 4,000 gave Sarries real hope of making the semi finals. 14 points from Nicky Little plus a try from Paul Bailey made up the Saracens score, 2 penalties from Julian Laharrague replying for Brive - a 19-6 victory for Saracens. Sarries first points came after 10 minutes, with a Little drop goal from 40m sailing through the posts. By this point, Sarries apparent plan to run crash ball straight at Alain Penaud had become obvious and both Simon Raiwalui and Dan Harris were making good yards. This was the only real attacking threat though and, although pressure was built up, Sarries looked limited when going forwards. Another Little penalty followed for a high tackle.

The converted try came after 30 minutes, the first time several phases of play had been strung together. The ball eventually was spun right, Paul Bailey being given an unopposed run-in from 6 yards. Bailey was on the field due to what appeared to be a hand/arm injury to Richard Haughton, we hope not too serious. The try appeared to galvanise Sarries into action, a 40 metre rolling maul from the re-start only not bearing fruit due to yet another dropped pass. 13-0 at half time was a fair reflection of the play, Brive looking occasionally dangerous on the break (especially Valbon and Bonvoisin, outside centre and flanker respectively) but Sarries generally in control.

The second half continued in the same vein as the first, Sarries having dominance up front and pushing the Brive pack all over the park. The Brive scrum did all but disintegrate, only the sterling work of their replacement number 8 (Maleyrie) enabling them to make any yards and to retain any sort of possession. An exchange of three penalties in the first 20 minutes of the half made it 19-3 to Sarries, the final score coming in the 70th minute when Brive reduced the deficit to 19-6. Several 5 metre scrums on the Sarries line were repelled as the defence held firm, suggesting that the defensive application of previous games had been carried through. So 19-6 it finished and a 13 point lead is packed away for the flight to France.

What will be key in France in the discipline of the team. Throughout the game, there was niggle and off-the-ball incidents. Quite what you have to do
to get Mr. De Santis to issue a red card is unclear, but the elbow which connected with Iain Fullarton’s head after 25 minutes must have gone close. The crack as the elbow connected could be heard in the Lower Rous, the touch judge immediately reported the incident but only yellow was brandished for the fortunate Welborn. From that moment on, the game had an undercurrent which went with it and De Santis failed to deal with anything. It was not a complete surprise that the last 4 or 5 minutes descended into chaos, the low point of which was the launching of Mark Bartholomeusz into the Lower Rous. No exaggeration, he was pushed sufficiently hard to go over the advertising hoardings and then over the wall – it is fortunate he was not seriously injured. The decision of “Brive penalty” from the handbags which followed ensured that De Santis won’t be on next year’s Christmas card list for too many of the Fez.

Overall, an adequate performance from the Men in Black and one which gives them a sporting chance in France. Discipline will be vital, as well patience – those two combined may well see us through.