Sale Sharks 14 Saracens 10

By Whaley Shark
February 22 2015

OK So it’s Saracens this week at the AJB. ‘Weakened’ by international call-ups, they’re still putting out a formidably talented side, and I have very mixed feelings when I hear Charlie’s out, injured. Much as I love watching his wizardry on the gain line, I wish he wouldn’t use quite so many of his tricks against us.

And so to business. Saracens started quite brightly on a cold and blustery day but failed to land an early penalty attempt. Moreover, both their lineout and scrum showed early signs of creaking. The game was pretty even, with both sides making thrusts into the opposing 22, until Saracens picked up the first points with a penalty after almost 20 minutes. As the to-and-fro continued, we won a penalty as Saracens tried to stop one of our rolling mauls, and Danny put it in the corner. We tried the rolling maul from the line-out, then spun the ball left and a lovely little flick pass from Danny put Sam Tuitoupou over, almost unopposed, for a 7-3 lead.

The arm-wrestle continued until almost half time, with both defences snuffing out threats effectively, though Saracens’ 7 did get to spend the last ten minutes of the half in the bin. Our last score of the game came just before half time, as a powerful Josh Beaumont break from the back of a midfield scrum set up a strong attack to win us a penalty in Saracens’ 22. Wiggy went to the bin for a high tackle and Danny went for the corner to set up a routine lineout, rolling maul, Jon Mills try and send the teams in for half time at 14-3.

Saracens definitely had the upper hand in the second half, with incessant pressure. We looked to be running out of inspiration, but remained very organised and disciplined in defence. As the clock began to run down, we settled into a spell of keep-ball in midfield, then took a chance in the hope of killing the game off. But the dinky little chip over the Sarries’ defence didn’t work out and they thrust down the right wing and into our 22. Cuets was binned and, after a spell camped a few metres from our line, Saracens took a tap penalty and crashed over. The conversion took the scoreline to 14-10 and that was that.

It might sound from this that the match was largely a stalemate. Actually, I don’t feel it was. Both sides had good chances in attack but we were able to take a couple of ours, and then sealed the victory with some pretty heroic defence. We got the usual last ten minutes on the edge of your seat as well. I hope the lads were pleased with the win- it was hard-earned and will hopefully put them in good heart for their trip to Welford Road next week. I shall be there, so watch this space!