Bayonnais debaucherie
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By King Zak (on debut)
August 10 2010
I’m sitting on the banks of the River Adoir on a sunny Sunday morning in Bayonne. I thought I’d better make the effort to write Wednesday’s report before the game this afternoon – remembering what happened in two games is hard enough, I’d never remember three!!
The day started grey and wet – and continued that way up to game time. The first game was scheduled to kick off at 18:30, so her Ladyship and I decided to take a slow wander to the stadium in time for ‘opening’ at 17:45. A casual walk along the side of the picturesque River Nive brought us to the ground at 17:40 where about 50 people were already milling around outside waiting to get in. Opening time came and went with no activity from stadium staff and the locals were getting restless. Eventually, at 18:00 a member of staff arrived and posted prices on the ticket booths; these finally opened at 18:05. My schoolboy French not being great, I chose the 10 euro option in ‘Pelouses’.
Rejoining the good lady, she kindly pointed out my slight error – it was raining and I’d just bought tickets for the uncovered standing section! Ah well, at least we had umbrellas. The gates opened at 18:10 and we filed in past security and headed straight for the beer tent. I was slightly concerned to hear a referee’s whistle whilst purchasing said beer and thought I’d have a quick check on the pitch. What I’d initially assumed was the players warming up transpired to be the first game, 13 mins into the first half and Bayonne leading 5 – 0! Literally as we arrived pitch-side Kameli was running in to score under the posts – I have no idea how or who created the try! Anyway, Jake Sharp converted and Sarries led 5 – 7.
The players kindly had no names on their shirts so we proceeded to conduct an identity parade to ascertain who was actually playing. Before we’d successfully completed this task, Sharp had a penalty attempt from about 45 metres out that drifted across the front of the posts and then Mouritz Botha drove over from a 5 metre lineout in the left hand corner. Jake Sharp knocked over an excellent conversion from near the touchline to make it 5 – 14. To add to the confusion, the touchline officials consisted of a member of Sarries backroom staff and a Bayonne replacement waving hand towels – a real ‘old school’ approach.
The locals, and referee, were less than impressed with some typically robust defensive work from Jacques Burger and when Sarries were penalised for killing the ball at the breakdown once again, Bayonne reduced the arrears to 8 – 14. Bayonne forwards were the dominant force, but Sarries looked dangerous in open play. However, as Sarries continued to be penalised at the breakdown area, they were pushed deep into their own half. A kick into the corner and resultant 5m lineout resulted in the Bayonne pack driving over two minutes before the break in the right hand corner. An excellent conversion put Bayonne ahead 15 – 14. They then had a chance to extend the lead after another ‘Jacqui special’, but the penalty kick was pulled wide of the left upright. Half time and Sarries were down 15 – 14. It was no great surprise to see Burger replaced by Jackson Wray at the restart – possibly at the suggestion of the referee who must have been close to sending Mr Burger for a 10 minute sit down at least.
The second half started where the first finished, Bayonne forwards on top. Sarries only managed to repel a chip and chase by pulling back the Bayonne chaser. The resultant penalty was kicked into the corner, catch; drive; try – pretty unstoppable really. This time the kick was missed to leave the score 20 – 14. Sarries immediately reduced the arrears when Bayonne knocked on at the restart and were then adjudged offside. Owen Farrell took over the kicking duties and calmly slotted the ball between the posts; 20 – 17 after 49 mins. Sadly, Sarries gave yet another breakdown penalty away at the restart and it was 23 – 17.
Sarries then seemed to really up their effort and worked through several phases, moving wide on both sides of the pitch, to create an excellent opportunity for replacement Ben Ransom. With an overlap to his left he stepped inside beautifully to score by the posts – best try of the game (well, can’t really comment on Ratty’s!). Farrell Junior added the extras to put Sarries back in the lead 23 – 24. The game started to slow down a bit as both teams tired and as Bayonne went through the phases to create the chance for the winning score a crunching tackle from Kelly Brown earned Sarries a penalty and the win they deserved. Notable mentions for Jackson Wray, Luke Baldwin, Nils Mordt and Jamie George, although the lineout still didn’t function as well as it might. He did put in one particularly storming run down the right wing – leaving most of the support runners in his wake! Kelly Brown went well too for his first run out in a Sarries shirt. This was a tough game for the younger players and they stood up well to the task.
By the start of game two we’d met Waldo and his good lady. He’d obviously been to a better school than me as his schoolboy French meant he’d wisely bought tickets in the posh seats and in the dry! It did however confuse the stewards when they requested to join us in the standing wet area. In fact, the stewards were so surprised, they refused to let them join us and insisted that they must sit down – remind you of anyone??
This was obviously the ‘Big’ game, and by now the ground was 2/3 full – the local paper suggests there were 10,000 there – I thought more like 8,000. Whichever figure, it was a very healthy turn out for a pre-season friendly on a wet Wednesday night. A great atmosphere was created by the cart-wheeling mascot (Sarrie, are you watching!) and the ‘club’ anthem. The sun shone briefly at the start of the game and so did Sarries – looking powerful in the forwards and running with ball in hand.
They forced an early penalty about 30m out just to the right of the posts – it was interesting to see Wiggy take on the kicking duties instead of Derick. His kick drifted well wide though which was a shame as their bright start deserved some reward. Mr Brits made an earlier than expected entry into the fray after 9 mins when Reynecke left the field injured. However, as the rain returned, so did the pattern of Bayonne forward power.
After 12 mins, Strettle got turned over in midfield and Bayonne broke with real pace and poise down the left wing. The kick chase was only thwarted by the dead ball line, but clearly a warning of things to come. Sad to say, Sarries now reverted to some poor kicking, giving Bayonne the chance to counter at pace. Sarries still held the sway at scrum time, but were second best in most other areas.
Bayonne broke the deadlock after 20 mins with a well worked try following another breakdown penalty and line out drive. Some excellent handling saw them create space in midfield with a little chip kick for Lacroix to score under the posts; Boyet added the extras, 7- 0. Sarries were given another chance to open their account with a penalty about 40m out to the left of the posts. This time Borthers asked Derick to have a kick at goal, but seemed to be over-ruled from the sidelines who insisted that Wiggy should have another go. Borthers was clearly indicating it was his decision, but the coaches had the final say. The kick drifted well wide and you rather suspected that Derick would be given the next opportunity.
Bayonne extended their lead on 33 mins with another excellently worked try. Swift handling at real pace created an easy overlap allowing Haare to run round under the posts. Boyet again converted to make it 14 – 0. Sarries grabbed a much needed lifeline when Adam Powell drove over from close range wide right. This time Derick took the kick and it sailed between the uprights; 14 – 7 at halftime.
The break saw Alex Goode replace Derick at outside half and Sarries started with real purpose and created a well worked try for Stretts to run in from 40m, scoring in the left hand corner. Alex’s kick drifted across the front of the posts, 14 – 12, but Sarries were looking to play some expansive rugby. At some point during the next 5 mins (I was called to the bar!), Chris Wyles left with a twisted ankle and Derick came back on, AG dropping back to fullback.
Another breakdown penalty slotted over by Boyet made the score 17 – 12. Sarries didn’t seem to be having the best of the referee’s decisions and there were some interesting interpretations at the scrum and breakdown. The home fans were very vociferous in their disapproval of anything Sarries did and the screams of ‘avant’ at any pass not sent at least 45degrees backwards was very reminiscent of somewhere, but quite Franklin I can’t recall where!
Bayonne continued to drive forward, and it was no surprise when Gerber extended their lead with another well worked try after 57 mins in the left corner. The kick was missed, 22 – 12.
Sarries were really chasing the game now, trying to play from deep in their own half. They were turned over and Bayonne scored again through Haare in the right corner after 63. The conversion missed/went over – the tough judges couldn’t agree so it was decided it must have missed, 27 – 12. Similar to the first game, it became a fractious affair as both teams tired, although Stretts marked his debut with a second try three minutes from time. The kick was missed to leave a final score of 27 – 17.
This had been a tough work out for Sarries – certainly not what you’d expect for first pre-season game. Bayonne looked very good – powerful forwards and slick handling in the backs at pace. Stretts worked hard all game and went looking for the ball across the pitch; Wiggy was prepared to take the ball on but his pass looked a bit laboured. There was a spell of poor kicking; nothing too wrong with the tactic given the conditions, just not very well executed at times. Bradley and Adam looked solid as ever in midfield, but the forwards seemed a little rusty – plenty of time to build up for when it really matters.
A thoroughly enjoyable evening continued into the night with Waldo. We counted 6 Sarries supporters and a Frenchman wearing a Saracens shirt! Time to set off for game three!!!
[Ed adds:] The English language French rugby site has this limited summary:
Bayonne were also victorious during the week, beating English side Saracens 27-17, although their joy was tempered by news that new signing (and former All Black) Troy Flavell is now likely to miss next weekend’s trip to Toulon. South African Sam Gerber – last season’s top try-scorer in Top 14 – grabbed one of Bayonne’s four tries. Dwayne Haare (2) and Thibault Lacroix also got on the scoresheet.
And this:
Sam Gerber, Top 14's top try-scorer for 2009/10, was on the scoresheet as Bayonne beat English side Saracens in their latest pre-season friendly on Wednesday night.Winger Gerber scored one of the Basque club's four tries as they converted a 14-7 half-time lead into a 27-17 victory, with the other tries coming from centre Thibault Lacroix and South African back row Dwayne Haare (2). England international David Strettle scored two of Saracens' three tries in reply at the Stade Jean Dauger.The excellent site can be accessed via the full article at:
http://frenchrugbyclub.com/Top-14/Top-14-2010-11/Top-14-Friendlies-3-001092.html
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2010:08:18:09:35:57 by Kat..
Ransom scoring
Powell touching down - just!
In the meantime, the first piece can enjoy its pride of place at t'top of page!
It's a long time since Sports network paid anything!