One that got away- Saracens vs Newcastle Falcons

For the first time this season ; a proper home game starting at 3pm on a Sunday, against a Newcastle side missing a few through injury and suspension but none in the Southern hemisphere. In the bar beforehand (nice pint of London Pride, watching Andy Goode slot over a penalty or two) discussion was of how many we would score; four, five or six tries. The minimum requirement was 5 points, no thoughts of a banana skin.

The match started reasonably enough; all Sarries pressure and lively movement from side to side, as both flanks were attacked. In addition the first few set pieces set the tone for the rest of the day. Borthwick put pressure on the first line-out; it wasn’t a turnover, but ugly ball meantNewcastlehad to scurry back for a maul 10 yards back. They managed to clear their lines, but only for a dominant Sarries line-out; I can’t remember losing one of those all day. The scrum was solid too, no pressure for Ernst at the back, but real difficulties for Hogg all day.

The first taste of disappointments to come: on a couple of occasions the pass to the winger was overflung. The last pass needs to be softer than that from 10 or 12, almost a pop-up for the winger to run onto and Sarries were guilty of a number of punched passes from outside centre that failed to collect a target. TheNewcastledefence was standing firm too and despite the ball being moved about there were no gaps. Suddenly after a quarter of an hour, the ball was moved to the East and then back towards the Rous. Goode stepped into the line and with silky hands put Maddock away in the corner. The evident team spirit was shown as all the players came over to slap Joe’s back on his first try for the club. I don’t think it will be his last.

Charlie tried a long conversion from almost the touchline; it was high enough and flirted with the left hand post before sliding outside; his only miss of the afternoon. Not to be deterred Newcastle struck back almost immediately; getting the kick-off back and playing a couple of phases before Gopperth put over a great cross-kick (straight out of the Glen Jackson mould) and Fielden collected. A one-two and he drove for the line. Alex managed to cover across brilliantly and made a tackle just short of the line. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to hold on to Fielden who got up and dove across Goode’s prone body for the score. From a similar position to the first attempt, Gopperth also narrowly missed .

Sarries quickly returned to ascendency; using the line-out to pressurise Falcons into a hasty clearance and then steal the ball. Again the ball moved one way and another, Short looking as if he had broken through on the far side. As the ball came back:Newcastleoffended and with the advantage Sarries ploughed on. The ball came wide with Farrell looking at a 3 on 1. Unfortunately he caught theEnglanddisease and dropped the ball and a try went begging. Still we had the kick to come and Charlie made no mistake. The sequence was pretty well repeated from the restart; Sarries pressurisingNewcastleinto a bad clearance and then stealing the line-out; the game was almost all being played on theNewcastle22. It wasn’t long before another penalty from the now dominant Sarries scrum made the score 11-5 from a second Hodgson penalty.

Sarries were well in control now and it only seemed a matter of time before the lead was extended; the backs combining well to put Goode into space with a nice pass. He did have Short outside, but didn’t need him before crossing in the corner. Charlie Hodgson had his kicking boots on now and kicked the conversion. Another just before half-time would be nice we thought, but it was not to be. Although the play was still in theNewcastlehalf, they started to run with the ball instead of kicking it. Running with the ball was a bit of an exaggeration; it was mostly pick and drives from close to the breakdown, with the odd snipe by the scrum half. It wasn’t pretty but it was starting to be effective; Sarries didn’t have the ball for a start, and they did make some good yards.

Their lineout managed to hold on to the ball for the first time andNewcastleset up an excellent driving maul. It was only stopped because Brits managed to work his way through the bodies to the back (illegally as it turned out). Unfortunately, their #5 decided to mete out punishment and Mr. Maybank who was running touch interceded and got the penalty reversed.Newcastlecame back though but finally the ball was kicked away and Sarries tried to run back limited possession. They were caught holding on andNewcastlehad a penalty. With the last action of the first half; Gopperth hit the post and Sarries cleared up the rebound; Ernst put the ball in the stands

Half-time was a pleasant one, two tries to the good and the promise of several more along with the upper hand at the set piece.Newcastlestarted the second half in the same way as the first; keeping ball in hand and not kicking it away. Although Sarries excellent defence made it look painfully slow,Newcastlemade the odd break and after 5 minutes they looked to have scored in the corner through Hogg (who had an excellent game). Unfortunately for them our old friend Roy was on hand to signal a foot in touch. A quick throw in and the ball was recycled across the pitch. I thinkNewcastle(like me) thought Goode was taking a drop out and gave him some room. The ball was quickly in Short’s hands and he went on one of those physical runs he seems capable of; running round forwards and brushing aside his opposite number. Caught by Tait on the 22, the ball was secured and pushed right. A deliberate knock-on stopped a certain try and the play was switched back the other way to Short on his wing. He stepped inside and crashed over. There was no action on the deliberate knock-on

Bonus point time seemed only a few minutes away as Sarries went on the rampage, but actually that was the end of the scoring for the match. There were clear cut chances.

• Jackson Wray burst away from a ruck, using his pace to outstrip the defence. Brad was on his inside and a simple pass meant the bonus point; but he went to the outside.
• Strettle came on for Short after his try and picked up a lovely inside pass from Charlie Hodgson and began one of his mazy runs. He seemed through, but was just grabbed by the leg. Unfortunately, there was nobody to offload to.       
• Sarries worked a 4 man overlap; first George Krius took the ball inside and set up a ruck; but quick ball meant the overlap was still on. The ball came out, but a simple pass to Gill was dropped
• Maddock took the ball with only his man to beat; he chipped past and had the legs on the cover defence, but the ball cruelly rolled into touch 

As the game went on, and the substitutes rolled on and off,Newcastlecame more and more into the game. It wasn’t long before they seemed to have the ascendency. A three on one was manufactured, but a brilliant early tackle by Maddock put paid to that. I was a little worried about Joe after the Tiggers game, was he good enough; I’m happy now. Then with 20 minutes to go a seemingly odd choice. After a penaltyNewcastletook a scrum on the 10 yard line. Their line-out wasn’t functioning. But Borths was off the park at that time so worth a try. However they picked and drove, and again, and again; after 5 minutes, they were nearly under the posts. Unfortunately, they could not ground the ball and from the scrum, Sarries got a penalty. That was pretty well the end of the match 

All in all a disappointing end to a great first half. A convincing win, and I’m sure with performances like their second half one,Newcastlewill give some sides a bit of a struggle.

Saracens: Goode; Maddock, Farrell, Barritt, Short; Hodgson, De Kock; Carstens, Brits, Nieto; Borthwick (capt), Kruis; Wray, Saull, Joubert.

Replacements: Strettle for Short (46), Gill for Carstens (51), Botha for Borthwick (56), Melck for Saull (59), George for Brits (59), Spencer for de Kock (61), Powell for Farrell (66), Vunipola for Nieto (72),

Newcastle: A Tait; Fielden, Uys, Helleur, Shortland; Gopperth, Pilgrim; Shiells, Graham, Hall; Townson, Swinson; R Mayhew, Pennycook, Hogg.

Replacements: Goosen for A Tait (30), Fearn for Shiells (59), M Mayhew for Graham (59), van der Heijden for Swinson (59), Eves for Fielden (61), Chudley for Pilgrim (61), Wilson for Shortland (62), Wells for Hall (62).

Attendance: 5,892.

Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU).

Saracens: Goode; Maddock, Farrell, Barritt, Short; Hodgson, De Kock; Carstens, Brits, Nieto; Borthwick (capt), Kruis; Wray, Saull, Joubert.

Replacements: Strettle for Short (46), Gill for Carstens (51), Botha for Borthwick (56), Melck for Saull (59), George for Brits (59), Spencer for de Kock (61), Powell for Farrell (66), Vunipola for Nieto (72),

Newcastle: A Tait; Fielden, Uys, Helleur, Shortland; Gopperth, Pilgrim; Shiells, Graham, Hall; Townson, Swinson; R Mayhew, Pennycook, Hogg.

Replacements: Goosen for A Tait (30), Fearn for Shiells (59), M Mayhew for Graham (59), van der Heijden for Swinson (59), Eves for Fielden (61), Chudley for Pilgrim (61), Wilson for Shortland (62), Wells for Hall (62).

Attendance: 5,892.

Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU).