Clermont raise the Bar

Clermont raised the bar but Sarries managed to deliver a performance to match.  I can’t say that this was particularly a memorable game, despite the win, despite the four-try bonus point and despite the increasingly vocal approach to the game at last being adopted by the Sarries faithful.  However, a BP win in Europe is a good start, and with Munster just shading Sale by a single point, Sarries stand top of Group One tonight, ahead on match points and points difference.   

The wind was clearly going to be a factor throughout the afternoon, blowing strongly but not consistently from somewhere between the south and west stands. Rain threatened once, but in the main a humid and windy afternoon made for tricky working conditions but nothing more than that. Clermont had the advantage of the wind to open, and our inexpert group of pundits decided that they needed to turn around at least ten points up, maybe even 15, to have chance of winning.

The first try, on three or four minutes, was Ashton at his best, seeing the opportunity being created and being on hand to take the break to the try-line.   It was an odd try. Strettle squeezed through the narrowest of gaps about twelve meters out, had to pass, and Fofana was in position to intercept. However his interception nudged the ball onto a better line for Ashton, who had a straightforward three steps to the try-line. Seeking the conversion into the crossing wind was a bit much to ask, but an opener for five was a statement of intent to work the ball through the hands rather than fight the gale that seemed to affect any kick higher than the stands. However, jubilation was short-lived, with a surge upfield on nine minutes by the impressive Nakaitaci, creating mayhem that enabled winger Guildford to score, in the corner. Radoslavjevic had missed a penalty a moment earlier, and that ended his place-kicking duties, but new kicker Lopez made no mistake with an outstanding conversion from the sideline.  

After this opening ten minutes of end-to-end action, I was certainly seeing the benefits of the new competition’s format. With the ending of the entitlement of everyone in Europe to take part, we are seeing smaller, better-matched pools, and every minute of every game matters correspondingly. However, it was also becoming clear that the cull of the weaker sides has not been accompanied by a similar cull of the weaker officials. Nobody around me was able to understand too many of referee John Lacey’s decisions, and the instances of contentious calls were beginning to break up the crowd’s ability to appreciate the flow of the game.

As the half progressed Lopez opened the lead to 5-10, but another inch-perfect score in the corner by Strettle saw the sides turn round level at 10 apiece.

At half-time we digested the thought that Munster had duly beaten Sale, as expected, but by a single point with a well-worked drop goal on the final play of the game. From watching the game in the bar before our own game, one had not got the impression of a Munster side set to set the competition on fire.

Out they came for the second half, wind behind the Sarries backs and no deficit to reel in. A penalty by Charlie was countered by a good drop goal by Lopez into the wind. A tricky take in the air went Clermont winger Guildford’s way, and he profited with his second try of the day, to take his side back into a lead that was largely unexpected, Lopez adding the extras, and Clermont were in the box-seat at 13-20. As usual at this stage the game broke up a little as substitutions took effect. Barrington and George were replaced by Gill and Brits, Wiggy by de Kock. Lopez and Charlie traded penalties, but Clermont failed with another penalty and a drop goal effort. On about the hour mark, winger Guildford fumbled a remarkable kick from Charlie in behind the Clermont defence. The ball fell back to Abendenon, who was scarcely expecting to have anything to do with it. He fell over and the three Sarries chasers, Ashton to the fore, were able to profit, with the try and bonus point going to his tally. Charlie was simply incapable of errors during a particularly purple patch, so the conversion was a straightforward matter. The score remained at 30-23 for the remainder of the game.

However, the dramas were not over. Ashton over-hit a clearance from inside the 22 and the wind carried the ball over the dead-ball line at the other end. For the last five minutes of the game Sarries were putting in a heavy defensive shift in quite the wrong part of the pitch. On top of that we saw Brits, second week in succession, leaving the field injured after the briefest of appearances. An awkward fall onto a badly-placed knee and his game was over. Worryingly, the Sarries ‘fish says that this is ‘a serious knee injury’.

The game ended with honours to Sarries but an LBP to Clermont. They will head back to the Auvergne with every intention of turning that defeat around at home, and Sarries will head there knowing that whilst winning home games is vital in a small pool, winning at least one away game is also a must.

I still ask myself why a six-try game, a five point win in Europe, seemed a little flat. There was plenty of action, some great moments of really high class play, and not a little to discuss. Perhaps I was not close to the referee’s wavelength and found myself watching a game full of mysterious stops and inexplicable decisions. Perhaps I was thrown by the changing the usual pre-match routine of a beer and a Laverstoke pie into a diet Coke and Laverstoke pie. If that last was the case, I’m glad that the course of antibiotics is only a week and I can revert to preferred type before the next home game.

Tonight Sarries sit atop Pool One after one game. Elsewhere, Leicester and Quins are in similar positions, but Sale, Bath and Saints are all first round losers. As the saying goes, you cannot win these competitions in the first two pool rounds, but you can lose them. I still back Saints to graduate from their relatively easier pool, but Bath in particular are playing catch-up from now on. Sarries hold their destiny in their own hands. They have played better in Europe before, and will do so again.

Andy Farrell was at the game today, but I am really not sure what he will have learned. Owen was on just for long enough to handle the ball once. Strettle was devastating as a finisher, but his day seems to have passed. Ashton was great in attack but other parts of his game management and temperament seem to be letting him down. If SL and his fellow England coaches are still thinking that 12-trees is the answer then the unbelievable quality of Barritt’s game, not least his defensive management and leadership will not have impressed them today. In the forwards, I am convinced that Billy is as near to a certainty for England as anyone, and we must anticipate Fraser, Barrington, Kruis and George being in Saxons shirts this season. Barrington is the unsung member of that group:- we in the stands have yet to see a poor game, or indeed see anyone get the better of him over a game. His star is in the ascendancy.

Saracens: Goode, Ashton, Wyles, Barritt, Strettle, Hodgson, Wigglesworth, Barrington, George, Du Plessis, Kruis, Hargreaves, Brown, Fraser, B. Vunipola.

Replacements: Bosch for Wyles (49), Farrell for Hodgson (76), de Kock for Wigglesworth (51), Brits for George (50), Johnston for Du Plessis (72), Gill for Barrington (61) Wray for Fraser .

Not Used: Hamilton,

Clermont Auvergne: Abendanon, Nakaitaci, Rougerie, Fofana, Guildford, Lopez, Radosavljevic, Domingo, Kayser, Zirakashvili, Cudmore, Vahaamahina, Lee, Bonnaire, Chouly.

Replacements: Stanley for Rougerie (72), Chaume for Domingo (70), Ric for Zirakashvili (41), Jacquet for Cudmore (47), Bardy for Lee (70).

Not Used: Ulugia, Lacrampe, James.

Att: 9,902

Ref: John Lacey (Ireland).