OSPREYS PUT TO FLIGHT

After last week’s outing to Tottenham, we are back at StoneX with Europe very definitely on our minds. Our visitors are Ospreys and they seem to have brought with them most of the residents of the Welsh Valleys. There is certainly a rather splendid male voice choir (Aber Valley) who even perform “Sweet Caroline” for us (I do miss her). We share some lovely Welsh Cakes with a delightful couple of Ospreys Supporters and hope they enjoy the game (but not too much). 

As the teams take the field go some fireworks – they don’t really work on a sunny day - (a late change for the Welshmen sees Keelan Giles replace George North) it appears Ospreys have won the toss as Sarries kick off with a swirly North-westerly breeze behind them. The sun is shining though.

Sarries win a penalty at the first scrum which is encouraging, then a second penalty almost in front of the posts which Owen manages to miss (what HAS got into him these days – although noise from the Ospreys’ fans was a tad unsporting). Ospreys are essentially pinned in their own 22 and going nowhere. Faz finds Max but the ball is knocked on. We had a penalty advantage though, and another. This time we take a tap penalty. Ospreys are not 10m so we get another, then another in front of the posts. The referee threatens Ospreys with a card but Faz is going to take the points. Understandable given the opportunities we haven’t taken but a bit of a let off for Ospreys.

From the restart Ospreys get into the danger zone. They look threatening. Sarries are missing tackles. Playing with an advantage, Kieran Williams breaks free on the left, leaves at least 4 Sarries trailing in his wake and Collins scores for the visitors. Owen Williams lands a tricky conversion and the visitors lead 7-3.

Ospreys are penalised from the restart but Faz declines the 3 and puts the ball in the corner. Sarries drive and the whole pack seem to be in there as they tumble over the line. It looks like a try: given the way it was set what else could it be? But our Georgian referee thinks it’s held up and the TMO can’t see anything to override that decision so Ospreys get away with a goal line dropout. Sarries’ frustration grows. They make break after break but drop the ball and get nowhere. Finally it looks like a Maro break and a Faz pass has put Jamie George through in the corner but wonderful Ospreys’ defence forces a knock on. Frustration at the scrum gives Ospreys a free kick and an easy exit.

20 minutes gone – almost all the play in the Osprey’s red zone yet the Welshmen are leading! Sarries aren’t looking after the ball. Ospreys are besting the break down and frustrating Sarries. Another Sarries’ attack and a huge tackle by Ethan Roots on Tompkins releases Nicky Smith then Tipuric and despite Earl’s best efforts, Kieran Williams  scores. Once again an incredible touchline conversion from Owen Williams and Ospreys take a 14-3 lead.

The Welsh confidence is growing and very apparent while Sarries can’t quite find another gear. Ospreys win a penalty and take territory but this time Sarries defend the maul, win a scrum penalty then ruin it all by messing up their own lineout. Sarries get a bit of territory from an Ospreys’ obstruction. Christie is almost over, then Mako, then Billy but all they get out of it is another penalty. The forwards decide to tap from the 5m line but again the Ospreys’ defence holds, the ball is knocked on and Sarries have blown another chance. Sarries redeem themselves with a scrum penalty and this time Owen takes the points. 6-14.

As half time approaches, Farrell lands a very long touch into Ospreys’ 22. Ospreys don’t clear allowing Max and Earl to combine. Tipuric leaves us to be replaced by Lydiate. Kieran Williams is shown a yellow for hanging on to Earl. Maybe a bit harsh but in the context of the game with the number of penalties conceded maybe Mr Amashukeli has had enough. He warns both front rows that his card will come out again if they can’t sort the scrum out. Time is up but Sarries pinch the ball against the head and with a penalty advantage, Max wiggles and waggles his way over the line. On-field decision is a try but the TMO is asked to adjudicate. Max has contact with the ball as it is grounded by the slenderest of threads but the try stands. Owen gets the extras when it matters from wide out and somehow or other, Sarries go in for the break just a point down at 13-14.

We go again. Hopefully Smally has had words with Sarries. At least the wind has dropped somewhat so playing into the breeze shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Mako is seen “streaking” into the Ospreys half. Has he ever run so fast? Sadly his brother, doubtless not believing what he was seeing, knocks on. Ospreys make another change with Hopkins replacing Giles. Sarries concede a penalty wide out and almost on half way. What a kick from Owen Williams! To paraphrase a famous film quote, Owen needs some of what he’s having!

Mako is at it again this time carrying into the Ospreys’ 22. But it’s scrappy and Sarries can’t quite get to the try line and Billy drops it again. Not his day! Both sides go at each other hammer and tongs but neither gains much. Sarries mess up a line out but a Van Zyl intercept relieves the pressure only for Morgan to return the favour. Nicky Smith breaks again deep into the 22. Sarries’ defence is desperate and ends in an Ospreys’ penalty which Williams was never going to miss – his easiest attempt of the afternoon and Ospreys now lead 20-13.

Half an hour left and time for the cavalry. Ospreys change their front row and Sarries bring Isiekwe on for Tizard and Davies for Van Zyl. It’s Ospreys’ turn to mess up the lineout then Sarries win a penalty which Owen plonks deep into Osprey’s half. Sarries get it together from the line out with Alex Goode chipping ahead, gathered by Christie who finds Malins in plenty of space and able to touch down almost under the posts. A simple conversion and the scores are level 20-20. Christie then departs with what looks like an arm injury to be replaced by Wray.

The tide seems to be turning. Marco comes off for Alec Clarey and Ospreys change a limping Owen Watkin for Gareth Anscombe and, to loud applause, Alun Wyn-Jones for Rhys Davies. It’s all Sarries now. The passes are going to hand and there seems to be a return of belief. Earl takes a quick free kick, Farrell’s pass bounces off Goode’s out-stretched boot and heads for the dead-ball line pursued by Itoje but the ball just wins. However Sarries had a penalty advantage and Owen takes the points and the lead.

15 minutes left. Can Sarries now push on and secure this victory or is their any fight left in those Ospreys’ talons? Sarries turn the ball over then Jamie hacks the ball deep into Ospreys’ territory. It’s all Sarries pressure now but somehow Ospreys hang on. Isiekwe and Maro both steal lineout ball. Mako departs for a well-earned rest to be replaced by Mawi and Loz makes way for Duncan Taylor. Davies clearance is touched in flight and Malins hacks on and into touch. An Ospreys’ throw is taken quickly by Webb but the long throw is read perfectly by Duncan Taylor who scores with his first touch of the ball allowing Faz a simple conversion and at 30-20, finally clear water.

Sarries are on a roll now. 5^th gear has been found and they look more like the Sarries we know and love. Sadly Clarey departs with what looks like a head injury so poor old Marco has to come back on. A superb penalty from Ospreys gives them an excellent attacking position but a revitalised Saracens smother the attack then Taylor forces a turn over allowing Ben Earl to break and dummy and finally win a penalty. Ospreys manage to stop the charge this time but they are looking tired now. Jamie gives way to the welcome sight of Tom Woolstencroft and Lewington replaces Maitland. Just a couple of minutes remain when Sarries win a penalty and the match, as a contest, is over. Owen puts the ball in the corner, the forwards do their stuff and Woolfie grounds the ball. Faz misses the conversion but it doesn’t matter, the win is assured.

The scoreline is flattering to Sarries, for 65 minutes Ospreys are the better side. Sarries appear stuck in 3^rd gear for much of the game but suddenly they free the clutch, up their game and it is enough. If only they could play like that for 80 minutes they’d be some team. Against reigning champions La Rochelle next week they will have to.

Mark McCall summed it up afterwards: “Games at this level against good teams like the Ospreys don’t always go your way. We ended up relishing the battle. You’ve got to relish it. There’s going to be one next weekend, which is very exciting for us. To go to a place we’ve never been against the Champions”.

SARACENS

Goode, Malins, Lozowski (Taylor), Tompkins, Maitland (Lewington), Farrell, Van Zyl (Davies); M Vunipola (Mawi), George (Woolstencroft), Riccioni (Clarey), Itoji, Tizard (Isiekwe), Christie (Wray), Earl, B Vunipola

OSPREYS

Collins, Giles (Hopkins), Watkin (Anscombe), K Williams, Morgan, O Williams, Webb; Smith (Thomas), Parry (Lake), Francis (Botha), Beard, Wyn Jones (Davies), Roots, Tipuric (Lydiate), Morris

SCORERS:-

SARACENS (35): Tries: Malins (2) Taylor, Wooltencroft; Conv: Farrell (3); Pens: Farrell (3)

OSPREYS (20): Tries: Collins, K Williams; Conv: O Williams (2); Pens: O Williams (2)

Referee: Nika Amashukeli