By Jeremy O'Gorman
October 24 2005

Jeremy O'Gorman's take on Saracens' victory over Biarritz Olympique on Sunday, a win by 12 points in, arguably, the strongest performance by the team since Dimes took charge. As we walked towards VR, the atmosphere was building up. A large crowd (but not as big as it should have been) was making its slow and uncertain way to their seats. Announcements over and the game was under way.

A towering leap by Biarritz, a long kick to touch. Suddenly we were in with the big boys. The initial exchanges were tough and brutal; our pack went backwards; French pressure. Suddenly KB is dancing in a melee of big lads and jinks his way through. In times gone by he may have made it to the line; but French hands go in. A Jackson penalty; we are directly in line. Initially looks bad, but curls in 3-0.

We work our way back up the pitch and secure a scrum on the 22. We see the backs signal – drop goal. There is pressure from the French and Sarries retreat. Skirvs tidies, but he drop goal is from 10 yards further back –Jackson drifts wide.

The French storm downfield, a lineout brings a drive. The first one is held up, but that vaunted French pack swarms forward again – Thierry Dusatoir looks over, but KB has put his body on the line again. Waiting , waiting – no try but the pressure is still on- scrum 5. Biarritz crank themselves up again and drive. A penalty to Sarries for holding on and lines are cleared.

Then another Sarries penalty. Jackson with a long attempt again tries to curl it in, but hits the outside of the upright. Glen makes amends a few minutes later with another long touch kick. Throw in Biarritz – not straight. I have to say that the Biarritz hooker today threw some of the worst lineout plays I have seen (perhaps Ibanez last year ranks close), but all to the good.

A Sarries scrum close to the line end in a penalty against Cobus. Now surely St.Cobus could never infringe. Biarritz clear and work their way upfield, to be awarded a very dubious penalty. Yachvili has obviously omitted to check his footwear and slips on his run up – the kick goes wide.

Then the biggest play of the day. Biarritz secure good ball - Frederico Martin Arramburu skips into space and when a long pass will bring a try, kicks instead.

There was a strange sense of deja-vous as a long kick from Glen and another not straight from the hooker gives Sarries another scrum in the 22. This time they do not disappoint. Working the ball first one way then another, finally ending with Ben Johnson under the posts. Stands erupt, backs pummelled. Jackson adds the conversion.

Half-time: we are 10 points up against the best of Europe; pinch myself and I hurt. Then the changing of the match; Fully steals a lineout close to our line and we drive, and drive, and drive, and drive. Shades of Parma last year as supposedly the best pack in Europe is put to the sword; a 35 metre drive. A penalty results, but Glen misses. Biarritz are playing like a French team away – they are beaten and know it.

Ben J, replaces BJ, Thomas moves to centre, before the highlight of the season. A forward drive under the shadow of the Rous stand; Glen waits for the pass. It’s terrible, over-hit by a good ten yards straight to Hugh. With total nonchalance he pulls back the trigger a massive drop-goal. Unbelievable it goes over. The stadium goes nuts. I should admit that I made a complete fool of myself on the TV picture at this point. Jumping up and down like a demented idiot.

Byrne and Lloyd replace Cairns and Yates. I should say here that every player who came off (apart from Del boy who was in a bit of pain) was completely annoyed at being substituted. Especially Simon, who went off with a very long face.

Biarritz got their first points on the board, with a good kick from Yachvili, who again slipped in his run up, but with success this time. Ches replaces Simon and a period of Sarries pressure is finally rewarded with another penalty, which Glen slots over.

A sustained period of pressure from Biarritz saw them with a lineout in the corner. Ben Broster replaces Cobus and Hugh with a great jump steals the ball. Another long forward drive from Sarries follows and Glen follows up with a long kick to the Biarritz corner.

Sarries win and drive and Avril is sin-binned for coming in offside (some reports of a swipe at Hugh). Glen kicks the penalty and Sarries are 19-3 up. Dickens replaces KB and an improbable swap of Seymour for Del on the far wing, Del hobbling off.

Biarritz then had probably their best spell of the match, with their speedster left winger getting the ball in space. Up pops Seymour to bundle him into touch. However the French were not to be denied and a couple of missed tackles allowed fly-half Julien Peyrelongue to score under the posts. Yachvili adding the goal.

But the spoils went to Sarries with another fine forward rumble ending with a Glen Jackson drop-goal to shut out the bonus point for Biarritz.

Not much on Dimes watch today – too much at stake- but the smile on his face at full time said it all. Quote from the e-mail sent by the club:
“Today was probably the best it's been since I've been at the club. We've gone back to playing with the forward pack and getting the defence as it was last season - then we can look to play rugby as we know the side can do it."

SCORERS: Saracens: Try: Johnson (39min). Conversion: Jackson. Penalty goals: Jackson 3 (4, 63, 73). Dropped goals: Vyvyan (49), Jackson (80+2). Biarritz: Try: Peyrelongue (80). Conversion: Yachvili. Penalty goal: Yachvili (50).

SCORING SEQUENCE (Saracens first): 3-0, 10-0 (half-time) 13-0, 13-3, 16-3, 19-3, 19-10, 22-10.

SARACENS: T Castaignède; R Haughton (rep: D Seymour, 76), B Johnston (rep: B Russell, 48), K Sorrell, P Bailey; G Jackson, K Bracken (rep: A Dickens, 68); K Yates (rep: N Lloyd, 53), M Cairns (rep: S Byrne, 53), C Visagie (rep: B Broster, 65), S Raiwalui (rep: K Chesney, 59), I Fullarton, H Vyvyan, T Randell, B Skirving.

BIARRITZ: N Brusque; J-B Gobelet (rep: S Ormachea, 76), F Martin Aramburu, D Traille (rep: P Bidabe, 40), S Bobo; J Peyrelongue, D Yachvili; K Lealamanua, B August, D Avril (sin-bin, 73-80+2), J Thion, D Couzinet (rep: Olibeau, 50; rep: B Noirot, 59), T Dusautoir (rep: B Dambielle, 57), I Harinordoquy (rep: D Chouchan, 40), T Lièvremont.

Referee: N Owens (Wales).

Attendance: 11,167.