By Rupert Thacker
January 30 2005

Friday evening saw Sarries return to winning ways, with a thoroughly deserved 32-13 win over Newcastle Falcons – four tries (and a bonus point) to one being an accurate reflection of the game. The first important action of the evening came after only 4 minutes, a successful Glen Jackson penalty being a reminder to all that he knows where the goalposts are. From then on, it was pretty much one-way traffic – Sarries had the lion’s share of possession and only poor finishing prevented the score hitting 50+. After 30 minutes, it was 6-3 to Sarries and the same old story; forward domination, but no penetration from the backs and lots of attacking waves breaking on the shore of the defence.

And then it all changed. Taine Randell was the first to go over the whitewash, the try being set up following quick ball and quick hands in the backs. Conversion missed, but 11-3, the players on the front foot and the crowd baying for further scores. 7 minutes later, another try – you had to see it to appreciate it fully, as nothing written here will suffice. Ches got a good flat pass from Glen, then charged at the Newcastle defence from 22m out. Having made about 15 of said 22m, he then ran into Matt Burke (on the night, Newcastle’s class act). He then carried him over the line, touched down and celebrated his second try in as many games. Mighty, no other word. Conversion over, 18-3 and only 2 tries to go to get that coveted bonus point. 18-6 by half time, a late Burke penalty narrowing the gap.

Traditionally in Sarries-Falcons games, the second half starts with the Falcons coming out firing. Not this time. Still the same swathes of possession for those in black shirts, culminating in Hugh Vyvyan’s try on 52 minutes. Similar to the first, several phases of possession before quick ball and flat passing (this time from Thomas) sent Hugh in for a deserved score against his former colleagues. With the game effectively over, it was a question of whether or not Sarries could get the 4th try. Eventually, it happened – and a good try it was too. From the back of a ruck, Chief Vaikona picked it out and started crabbing across the field; substitute Ben Russell picked a tremendous line, took the pop pass and dashed under the posts, 32-6 with the conversion and 5 precious points.

32-13 arrived in injury time, the Newcastle try being scored by Ollie Phillips who showed a fair turn of speed to touch down. All academic by that point though. Officially, Glen Jackson was given MOM but he must have been run very close by the “3 Cs”, Cairns, Castaignede and Chesney. Cairnsy gave it everything, was all over the park in the loose and was surely replaced only to give the returning Ibanez some game time. Thomas was, well, as brilliant as we know Thomas can be. He gave the back division penetration, he made mazy runs, he created opportunities for others, he tackled anything that ran at him – in short, top drawer. And then there’s Ches, who seemed on a mission last night. Brilliant try, brilliant clearance kick from inside his own 22 (although Taine still holds the record for “Longest Punt of the Season by a Forward”) and a huge amount of positive work during the game.

Overall, this was a real opportunity for Sarries to stake a claim for the play-offs and, for a change, they took the opportunity with open arms. Admittedly, Newcastle were poor but that was, in part, due to Sarries’ play rather their own inadequacies. A great win and a great feel-good atmosphere; who knows where it will take us?