A game of two halves......

Big Hitter....
By TheSaracens
April 27 2022

Setting aside the recent “history” between the clubs, both on and off the pitch, this is a game I’m looking forward to for purely rugby reasons, with Exeter, despite their not being quite the side they were a few years back, they nonetheless remain a formidable opponent and after a frustrating game at Sandy Park where Sarries inflicted as much pressure on themselves as Exeter managed, this is an opportunity to put that right; we’re also likely, with a bonus point win, to confirm our place in the playoffs with hopefully a home semi-final. I’m not going to involve myself with the ongoing grudge that many hold against Exeter as a club and more specifically its owner – nothwithstanding what happened over the salary cap, it’s time to my way of thinking for everyone to move on and look towards a bright future for the club we love rather than fester over what happened in a past that no-one can change. Doubtless some of you will disagree with me..... Prior to the game, and whilst enjoying as always meeting up with our Sarries “family” at the Oasis, we are delighted to be introduced to Yoko Nakada who is over from Japan to make her first visit to StoneX having watched Alex Goode play for the Green Rockets last year and will be presenting Alex with a bottle of Japanese whisky.

Today’s Sarries squad is close to full strength save for the long-term injury to Mako, and with Maro and Max Malins unavailable due to minor injuries.

Exeter are short of a few players with the likes of Jack Nowell, Jonny Hill and Sam Simmonds absent, and in a surprising move I can’t decide whether is tactical or out of necessity, Henry Slade is starting at fly-half - a position, so I’m told, that he hasn’t played in since 2017, but he’s an exceptional all-round player, of course, and it’ll be interesting to see how he does today.

The game kicks off in conditions my father would have called shirt-sleeve order, and it’s immediately apparent that Exeter are looking to make a fast start, possibly to “make a statement” but clearly aware that Sarries can be a little sluggish in the early stages of a game.

The visitors’ reward for coming off the blocks so quickly is a penalty (offside) after only 3 minutes, which Slade, easing into his unaccustomed position, dispatches with ease for 0-3.

Going behind seems to wake Sarries up, and we’re treated to George showing off his wider rugby skills with a neat grass-cutter out on the right, which he chases but understandably lacks quite the acceleration to fully exploit the half-chance. I was reminded of my age when, perhaps unkindly to Jamie, I remark to Mrs Jonny that Schalk Brits in his pomp would have got to that – whereupon a cheeky young whelp in front of me laughs pityingly and comments “gosh, you’re going back a few years”

It’s actually only been 48 months since Schalk announced his (sic) retirement but to the nation’s youth that’s a lifetime. I digress.

Sarries are enjoying a god spell, and Farrell is able to level up the score on 9 minutes with a straightforward penalty to take the score to 3-3.

4 minutes later, a basketball-like leap and catch from McFarland and some clever team play and good work from Davies tees Daly up in the middle of the Exeter half to make a superbly balanced run through a gap in the Exeter defence and dot down to the right of the posts, with Farrell converting to make it 10-3 as we approach the 15 minute mark – this feels like it’s shaping into a decent encounter.

Exeter up the ante now, and Sarries are on the back foot as a Hogg charge to the lien is thwarted by Davies, as is the Sale-bound O’Flaherty who thwarts himself with a pass into touch, to ironic cheers from the StoneX faithful.

The soon to be re-badged Chiefs continue to press Sarries’ defence without seriously threatening our try line until on 27 minutes the regain the lead when a break from Slade, enjoying a good game so far at 10, sets up the another imminent departee (to Edinburgh), Skinner, to go over although the conversion is missed to leave matters at 10-8.

Heading into the last 10 minutes of the half, Exeter continue to ask questions of Sarries, assisted at times by Maxwell-Keys’ fairly generous interpretation of the offside rule, and their first really sustained assault on Sarries’ red zone, working their way forward until, with 33 minutes on the clock, Woodburn forces his way past Tompkins and scores, with Slade’s conversion putting Exeter 10-15 ahead.

Exeter continue to pile on the pressure as we move towards half time, with Hendrickson charging forward but great work from Goode snuffs out the danger and he then sets off on a characteristic charge through the Exeter ranks but the ball goes into touch before Sarries can capitalise on the ground gained.

As the half draws to a close, a failed Slade penalty kick misses the chance to send Exeter in for the orange slices more than a score ahead, and at the interval it’s still 10-15.

There’s no particular sense of panic at 10-15, but Sarries do need to step things up a little.

Sarries have regrouped at half time, beginning the second period with a little more purpose than the first, and within 3 minutes have cut the deficit to 2 points at 13-15 courtesy of Farrell’s accurate right foot from a penalty.

2 minutes later, StoneX erupts when a break from Farrell sets up Sarries to flow forward, with Maitland gliding over and Farrell converting to make the score 20-15; having edged the first half, Exeter are now facing a Sarries side with the bit between its teeth.

Sarries continue to dominate, and in the 50^th minute our lead extends to 23-15 when a penalty from Farrell which initially looks to be heading wide clips the post and drops in over the crossbar.

As we approach the last quarter of the game, a rattled Exeter’s discipline has slipped, and the pressure mounts as their penalty count racks up – I’m a little surprised that at this stage the ref hasn’t had a word…

From one of Sarries’ kicks to the corner a maul drives towards the line and Tompkins gets over on 56 minutes, with Farrell this time failing to add extras to leave the score at 28-15 – the momentum, and surely the result are with Sarries in a hugely improved performance this half.

Exeter, recovering some of their composure, are not quite done and think they’ve scored after a drive to the line but the ball’s been held up.

Back come Sarries, though, and another Farrell penalty on 63 minutes extends our lead to 31-15.

Sarries have started to ring the changes now, with Christie having earlier replaced Swinson, Mawi is on for Barrington and Segun gets a run out in Lewington’s stead.

We’re moving towards the last ten minutes of the game now as Segun, not long after joining the fray and presenting a different threat to Lewington, collects a high ball and dances his way through the Exeter defence, setting up Earl to power over the line on 68 minutes to bring up the bonus point and - assuming we can hold on for the win - take Sarries both to a certain playoff spot and within 4 points of Leicester. Farrell converts successfully and a joyous StoneX crowd celebrates a 38-15 scoreline.

The strong Sarries bench has been further utilised, with Van Zyl, Clarey, Taylor and Pifeleti now on for Davies - who’s had one of his best games in a Sarries shirt, driving play, kicking well and even putting in some big hits – Koch, Tompkins and George.

To their great credit and in a demonstration that the resilience of past seasons hasn’t entirely deserted them, Exeter keep fighting and after Grondona has a try disallowed, Townsend does score on 77 minutes to give Chiefs a glimpse of a losing bonus point, with Hogg taking over the kicking duties from Slade to convert for 38-22.

Sarries manage the game out for the last couple of minutes, though, and the ball is gleefully kicked into touch with StoneX celebrating in style; “Sweet Caroline” rings out across the stadium and the remaining crowd bellows along in approximately tuneful fashion. A very good day at the office.

Despite a challenging first half, Sarries regrouped in the interval, ratcheted up the intensity levels and played some stunning rugby in the second act; it’s fair to reiterate that Exeter weren’t entirely at full strength today, but they’re nonetheless a very tough proposition and this result sets Sarries up nicely for the sharp end of the season.

Owen Farrell was quite superb, leading the side, driving and managing play and proving once again that despite the views of some he is a genuinely world-class player that England are lucky to have at their disposal and we at Sarries are privileged to have as one of our own – if the reports this week that he’s signed a contract that means he’ll finish his playing career in the back and red are accurate, it’s wonderful news.

Ben Earl and Elliot Daly are in sparkling form, Billy is to my mind back to his terrifying best, and Aled Davies has surpassed my expectations and continues to get better and better. As for Alex Goode…well, he’s an evergreen rocket.

Next up, a different challenge away to Worcester and I’m looking forward to a weekend in my native West Midlands.

Jonny Browne

TEAMS:

Saracens: Goode; Lewington, Daly, Tompkins, Maitland; Farrell (capt.), Davies; Mawi, George, Koch, Isiekwe, Swinson, McFarland, Earl, Vunipola

Replacements: Pifeleti, Barrington, Clarey, Wray, Christie, Van Zyl, Taylor, Segun

Exeter Chiefs: Hogg; Woodburn, Whitten, Hendrickson, O'Flaherty; Slade, Maunder; Hepburn, Yeandle (capt.), Street, Gray, Skinner, Kirsten, Capstick, Vermeulen

Replacements: Innard, Keast, Schickerling, Jenkins, Grondona, Townsend, J. Simmonds, Hodge

Referee: Wayne Barnes

A game of two halves......

Posted by: TheSaracens.com (IP Logged)

Date: 27/04/2022 12:02

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:05:04:12:27:35 by Darraghgirl.