Saracens vs Worcester
Strets Scoring by PNH
By SaracenAngel
September 20 2011
The Sarries were under a lot of pressure ahead of this match, after a 20-15 defeat against Wasps and a last gasp victory against Bath. The boys had to put in a lot of training during the week, especially as Worcester are newly promoted and lost their local derby against Gloucester in Round 2 of the Premiership. In my opinion, I felt that Saracens would be able to see this out.
Mark McCall made very few changes to the match day squad from the Bath game, with Charlie Hodgson and Joe Maddock making their first Sarries starts in the league after being switched with Owen Farrell and James Short. Hugh Vyvyan could also make a record breaking appearance after replacing George Kruis on the bench.
Second half tries from David Strettle and Brad Barritt gave Saracens an 18-6 victory over Worcester Warriors at Vicarage Road on Sunday, despite losing 6-3 at half time
The duo struck in the early part of the second half to give Sarries their second win of the new Aviva Premiership campaign.
There were also concerning scenes in the second half when talented hooker Schalk Brits left the field on a stretcher after receiving lengthy treatment for a head injury. But Director of Rugby Mark McCall clarified after the game that although he had taken a heavy knock, he was up and about after the game and was even singing in the post-match team song even though he will be assessed over the next few days.
Saracens went into the half time break 6-3 behind after Andy Goode had kicked a penalty with the final action of the opening 40 minutes.
That came after a frustrating opening half for the Sarries who, despite enjoying much of the possession, couldn’t find a way to break through the Worcester defence and the only points they had to show for their efforts was Charlie Hodgson’s early penalty, which was cancelled out by Worcester fly half Goode midway through the half. Hodgson also frustratingly missed a penalty during this period.
However, Saracens hit back with a vengeance with two tries in the opening period of the second half. Hodgson evened out the scores with a penalty a couple of minutes after the restart before David Strettle went over the try line for the opening try of the afternoon.
After putting Worcester through their paces, the ball was forced wide and Owen Farrell’s quick hands released Strettle to sprint along the touchline to score his first try of the season.
That was followed by a second score minutes later. Again, the forwards did the hard work with a series of pick and go moves before Hodgson got the ball in space and gave it to Brad Barritt on the charge and he bundled his way over. Hodgson converted.
Sarries fought to put further scores on the board as the clock ticked away but the visitors defence held firm to prevent any further score, but Saracens grudgingly secured their second win of the season.
Saracens line-up: Goode, Strettle, Powell (Farrell 50), Barritt, Maddock (Short 60), Hodgson, De Kock (Spencer 73), Gill (Carstens 50), Brits (George 44), Nieto, Borthwick (Vyvyan 65), Botha, Melck, Saull (Fraser 50), Joubert. Replacements not used: Vunipola
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:09:26:18:30:46 by Fozz1e.
Thanks SA, nice report.