RICHARD’S LIONHEARTS WITHSTAND SARACEN ONSLAUGHT

Richard’s Lionhearts Withstand Saracen Onslaught

In my preview of this match my prediction was for a narrow Bristol win and so it proved to be. In a ground where a large minority of the support appeared to be for the visiting team, Saracens went down to a 13 – 19 defeat. This was their eighth consecutive Premiership reverse, and as disappointing for them, in its way, as the crushing defeat against Carlos Spencer and friends last week-end. I admit to fearing a backlash from Saracens before the game and, with the wind behind them in the first half it was set for a titanic relegation battle.

Almost from the outset Saracens were awarded a penalty directly in front of the posts, but Jackson surprisingly kicked well to the left. Was this to be an omen? He was, however, successful with his next straightforward chance to open the scoring for the home side.

The spine of any side is 2, 8, 9, 10 and 15, and I’ve been critical recently of performances at 10 and 15. Today though, Jason Strange controlled the game and made his penalty kicks count to first equalise, and then nudge us into a lead of 3 – 9 mid-way through the second quarter. Saracen’s senior players offending at the breakdown as they strove to penetrate a resolute Bristol defence.

What was probably the decisive moment came when Vaughn Going fielded a kick, chipped over the defence, re-gathered and set off on a diagonal run. Hounded by the Saracen’s defence he off-loaded to Marko Stanojevic, making a rare start, who showed that he has lost none of his try-scoring instinct and gained noticeably in upper-body strength to power through the last challenge and score a fine try that Strange duly converted. This took Bristol into a 3 -16 lead as the half came to a close. In the previous day’s games, the results of which increased the pressure on both Bristol and Saracens, Ludovic Mercier botched his opportunity to pass to a faster man in space, here Going provided the inspiration for a vital score and was solid throughout the game in both defence and attack. He has always looked more comfortable as a full-back, lacking the pace an out-and-out winger. Today he gave us a welcome degree of reliability in defence and the ability to counterattack into space which we have lacked in recent games.

The second half became a tense, attritional affair. Saracens attempted to establish forward and territorial dominance. However, the wind was now against them and the Bristol defence remained strong. Illegally strong it proved, with Sam Cox sin-binned after ten minutes of the half for a helping hand on the ground. Jackson struck the resulting penalty to reduce the deficit to 6 – 16. The defence of Bristol remained steadfast in the face of Saracen’s attacks, with Matt Salter and Rob Higgett prominent. On the hour it was Saracen’s turn to displease the officials and Simon Raiwalui went to the sin-bin for what I am sure was some terrible piece of foul play. Not that I could actually see what he did of course, but it was an excellent display of refereeing and Strange promptly despatched the ensuing penalty to take Bristol to a 6 – 19 lead

The final quarter was extremely anxious for both sets of supporters as Saracens sent on Moses Rauluni, Adam Powell, Ben Johnston, Ben Russell and, ultimately, Andy Kyriaco. Tevita Vaikona began to come infield looking for the ball and Saracens were almost a different team. Russell's fine converted try in the corner after good work by the depleted pack set up the final minutes in which Saracens assaulted the Bristol line. Thankfully the rearguard held out to seal a hard-fought 16 – 19 win and four vital league points.

Despite the losing bonus point Saracens are now firmly in the relegation mix. Leeds have started their fight-back a few games earlier than last season, and the two sides meet at Headingly at the beginning of April in what might well be a game of huge significance for both teams. The lesser known names and the performance of the final quarter look to be the way forward for them, but they have a tough set of games to come and away wins are extremely hard to come by in the relegation scrap.

It is an away win, though, for Bristol who once again move above B**h in the league, despite Gloucester ’s astonishing inability (aided by Mercier claiming to have switched off his hearing aid) to beat them. B**h and Gloucester have seemingly swapped places in Bristol ’s list of bogey teams, with our recent record against B**h good, and a series of defeats against Glos. We have games against them both to come and the in form London Irish up next at the Mem. Wins in these home games will be vital if the points gained against Wasps and Saracens are not to be squandered.