DIGGING FOR VICTORY

There were a few changes to each starting line up with Chris Wyles coming into the side on the left wing for the first time this season in place of Sean Maitland, Schalk Brits at hooker, and Michael Rhodes in the back row, with Jamie George and Jackson Wray both on the bench. Owen Farrell was not included in the 23 so there was no specialist fly half on the bench, with Goode able to cover, whilst George Kruis missed out through injury. That meant an opening XV of Alex Goode, Chris Ashton, Marcelo Bosch, Brad Barritt, Wyles, Alex Lozowski and Richard Wigglesworth with a pack of Mako Vunipola, Brits, Petrus du Plessis, Maro Itoje, Jim Hamilton, Rhodes, Schalk Burger and Billy Vunipola. For Northampton only the one adjustment from the victorious side at Bristol as the injured Dylan Hartley was replaced by Mike Heywood. That saw a starting side of Ahsee Tuala at full back with Ken Pisi and George North on the wings and a centre partnership of George Pisi and Luther Burrell. The half back combination featured Stephen Myler and Lee Dickson. In the front row, Saints fielded Alex Waller, Heywood at hooker and Kieran Brookes, whilst Courtney Lawes teamed up with Michael Paterson in the second row and the back row featured Tom Wood, Teimana Harrison and Louis Picamoles.

 

Northampton had earnt a third minute lead when Rhodes was caught offside in some early Saints pressure and Myler stepped up to make it 3-0 from 25 metres, but were immediately under pressure when they failed to deal with the restart adequately. That gave the hosts a lineout on the edge of the visitors 22, and from the ensuing pressure they went off their feet giving Lozowski, back on kicking duties, a quick leveller in the ninth minute. Although Saracens were not quite as assured in hamdling as usual, their defence was typically strong, with North being dragged into touch anter a promising build up, but soon the match degenerated into something of a kicking contest. Ashton did look to have the chance to break through on the quarter hour but lost the ball on contact, although Saracens did nudge in front moments later when Lozowski stepped up from 40 metres to make it 6-3 after Saints followed a powerful Billy Vunipola carry with an infringement. With 19 minutes played, Goode and Ashton looked to have fashioned an opening try, but with the line looming, Heywood stripped the ball in a one on one tackle and the chance was gone. 

 

The Saints drew level when, from a crooked Saracens' lineout, they went through a series of drives without really threatening the line, but doing enough to earn a penalty which Myler put just inside the post from 40 metres despite the variable wind. At times, so much of the match was being played in midfield that it seemed that each of the 22s had been cordened off. On 29 minutes, Northampton, who seemed to have the slight edge in the scrum at this stage, hit the front when Myler nailed another long distance kick, this time from wider on the right, and were coping with Saracens' rolling mauls too. Given the fierce battle ensung, it was little winder that the half was littered with stoppages for injuries. There was still time for Lozowski to draw the sides level again, when Northampton strayed off their feet following a period of possession, the new fly half being entrusted with long distance efforts too, despite the presence of Bosch. Unknowingly setting the tone for a lively second half, some around me were surprised when a potentially dangerous tackle on Goode escaped further scrutiny so it was 9-all at the break.

 

Two minutes in to the second period, Sarries were pinged for not releasing the ball just short of halfway, but, despite having the wind in his favour, Myler got the distance but not the accuracy as the match stayed all-square, and the match became something of a stalemate, with Goode threatening with the odd run from deep, but otherwise just a stream of kicks from both sides. Another moment of controversy came after Saracens found themselves pressed back on their own line, with suggestions of a late tackle on Wigglesworth after he made a clearing kick, but, instead the penalty went the way of the visitors and Myler was able to put the visitors 12-9 ahead. The turning point arrived on 54 minutes, when, in an attempt to clear out replacement George from a ruck, Alex Waller made a dangerous challenge, with the pair grappling on the floor in the aftermath. Following lengthy deliberations, the Saints loosehead was yellow carded, and Saracens kicked for touch. From the lineout, George was able to break off into space on the right touchline and go over in the corner, although Lozowski struck the right hand post making it 14-12.

 

Saracens began to take control in the forwards against their depleted visitors, forcing a series of penalties as their rolling maul trundled ominously forward. From the thord offence, referee Greg Garner showed little hesitation in awarding the penalty try, vindicating Lozowski's decision to kick for touch rather than the posts, and the home side had nine points of breathing space as they led 21-12 with 16 minutes left. That seemed to be enough as Saracens now had possession in the right areas, forcing two more decisive penalties from the mail, duly converted by Lozowski, and one of which saw a yellow card for visiting replacement Sam Dickinson. After lengthy treatment to Burrell, who suffered an injury when trying to tackle Barritt, the closest the Saints came to a try was in the penultimate minutes when a flowing move involving Dickson and Harry Mallinder appeared to have seen Ken Pisi set up Heywood on the right, but it was ruled out for a forward pass. That left Sarries to reflect on a tough battle, which, as like so many in the past, they had come out on top in. 

 

Saracens

15 Alex Goode: 14 Chris Ashton; 13 Marcelo Bosch (Nick Tompkins 63); 12 Brad Barritt (c); 11 Chris Wyles; 10 Alex Lezowski; 9 Richard Wigglesworth (Ben Spencer 74); 1 Mako Vunipola (Richard Barrington 73); 2 Schalk Brits (Jamie George 50); 3 Petrus du Plessis (Juan Figallo HT); 4 Maro Itoje; 5 Jim Hamilton; 6 Michael Rhodes (Jackson Wray 53); 7 Schalk Burger (Kelly Brown 74); 8 Billy Vunipola. Sub not used: 23 Sean Maitland

 

Northampton Saints

15 Ahsee Tuala (Harry Mallinder 70); 14 Ken Pisi; 13 George Pisi (Campese Ma'afu 62/Ben Foden 67); 12 Luther Burrell (Charlie Clare 74); 11 George North; 10 Stephen Myler; 9 Lee Dickson (Nic Groom 64); 1 Alex Waller (Campese Ma'afu 74); 2 Mike Heywood; 3 Kieran Brookes (Paul Hill 64); 4 Courtney Lawes; 5 Michael Paterson (Sam Dickinson 62); 6 Tom Wood (c); 7 Teimana Harrison (Jamie Gibson 49); 8 Louis Picamoles

 

SCORERS:-

Saracens 27:  Tries: George, Penalty.  Conv: Lozowski  Pens Lozowski (5)

 

Northampton 12:  Pens: Myler (4)

 

Attendance: 9,455

 

Referee: Greg Garner (RFU)