Sarriexit
By DG
April 7 2024
In games like this everything has to go for you, every pass has to stick, every tackle has to be made, every half chance has to be taken. Had that been the case I doubt sarries would have won but who knows what scoreboard pressure might have done to UBB. But it was not to be.
Both teams were without their first choice 10 but took different views regarding the replacements: Sarries went for veteran Alex Goode while UBB went for young Mateo Garcia. In the end youth prevailed and Garcia showed why he is so highly regarded. UBB didn’t miss Jalibert at all while Sarries floundered without their inspirational captain.
I do not intend to write a blow by blow account of what proved to be a pretty chastening experience. To be honest it’s 2 hours of my life I’d rather not relive. Sarries defence in the first half was immense, albeit aided by a bit of luck and 4 disallowed Bordeaux tries, and it’s remarkable they hold UBB scoreless for half an hour. Although on the back foot for much of it there were some positives: a lovely 50:22 from Lewi, some huge tackles from Billy, a wonderful defensive shift from McFarland and Sarries could have taken the lead when a delightful chip from Goode just bounced the wrong way for Lewi and into touch (although It has to be said that was about the only one of Goodey’s chips that had any salt on it, the rest were decidedly soggy).
It was a minor victory when Lucu decided to go for goal on 30 minutes to open the scoring for the home team. For me the turning point came shortly after when Maro made a stupid attempt at an interception. Mr Murphy, who I thought had a decent game, initially gave a penalty but the French TV director repeatedly showed the incident, the crowd became restive and our Frank decided to talk to his TMO after all with the outcome that Maro went to put his feet up for 10 minutes. I’m not saying the decision was incorrect but the fact that the referee was pressured into referring it by the TV director seems wrong.
Anyway the defensive line that had held by a thread with 15 on the pitch quickly succumbed with 14. Luck was not on Sarries side when the fabulous McFarland (one player who can hold his head up high tonight) stole a lineout but the ball bounced unkindly for him and into the hands of the UBB fullback Buros who easily evaded Lewingtpn and allowed Garcia to score. 10-0 at half time though seemed like a result given the pressure Sarries had soaked up. Maybe, just maybe Sarries could weather the end of the yellow card storm and take the fight to the French.
It wasn’t to be. Goodey missed a very kickable penalty just after the restart and then the wheels came off. A 2nd try for Garcia persuaded the coaching team to replace the front row and things did improve, at least in that department, but the more tries Bordeaux scored, the more desperate Saracens became and the more mistakes they made. They did have a couple of chances to score themselves but the passing was desperate and the chances went begging. Meanwhile Bordeaux had gone up yet another gear with first Garcia and amazing Penaud combining to allow Depoortaire in, then Bielle-Biarrey pounced on a loose pass for a 4th try 2 minutes later. A defensive mess up by Maitland allowed Depoortaire to score his second and the tie was well and truly gone. Bordeaux were toying with Sarries like a cat teasing a mouse. Understandably the French side took their foot of the pedal a bit which allowed Cinti and Lewington to combine for a consolation try. Bordeaux woke up and scored again. This time through Bielle-Biarrey with the conversion hitting the post and going over (of course). That made 45 points on the day and 100 points for UBB over the 2 ties.
Lady luck finally smiled on Sarries when Manu’s penalty missed touch but in trying to catch the ball, Buros took it into touch on the 5m line and from the lineout Dan almost scored and then Willis got the ball down. Goode waited for the clock to go dead before kicking the conversion. It finished 45-12 (or 100-27 over the 2 ties)
And so the European journey hits the buffers. There will be no return party to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in May for Sarries (although I’d be surprised if Bordeaux aren’t there- what a team). Sadly it has been a season too far for our golden generation: Sarries could not live with the pace and power shown by their French opponents who simply looked in a different class. Sadly we seemed happy to allow our classiest winger in recent times (although he didn’t want to be), Max Malins, to leave. Boy have we missed him this season. Would Owen have made a difference? Possibly a small one but even Owen could not have carried this team over the line today.
The team get a week off next week instead of a trip to Quins (and it’s poor old Quins turn to take their chance against the gallic gladiators in UBB’s colosseum). There will be some sore bodies: Daly and Van Zyl in particular looked pretty groggy which added to Owen’s hamstring means the injury list is growing again. Maybe an opportunity for the next generation.
So it’s the Premiership or bust for Sarries then. We will need to win most if not all of our remaining fixtures (which means we have to learn how to win away from home again – something we haven’t done for 5 months!) We have signed some exciting young talent for next year. I, for one, am looking forward to seeing Burke and Johnson at 10, Brantingham and Carre in the front row all blending with our own emerging talent: Dan, Hartley and our wealth of exciting back rowers. Hopefully the coaches will show some faith in the youngsters. We may need to be patient for a season or 2 (tough when you’re used to winning things) but we have the makings of a good young team there.
Let’s leave france on a positive note: my fellow match reporter Jonny and his lovely wife Chrissie had their few minutes of fame on French TV. I hope you guys and everyone who travelled enjoyed the food, the wine and the weather even if you didn’t enjoy the game.
Bordeaux Begles
Buros, Penaud, Depoortaire (Uberti), Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey, Garcia, Lucu (Lesgourges), Poirot (Kaulashvili), Lamothe (Latterade), Tameifuna (Sadie), Cazeau (Jolmes), Coleman (Douglas), Miquel, Samu, Tatafu (Petti)
Saracens
Daly (Manu Vunipola), Maitland (Hartley), Cinti, Tompkins, Lewington, Goode, Van Zyl (Simpson), Mako Vunipola (Mawi), George (Dan), Judge (Riccioni), Itoje, Tizard (Gonzales), McFarland, Earl, Billy Vunipola (Willis)
Scorers:-
Bordeaux (45) Tries: Garcia (2) Depoortaire (2) Bielle-Biarey (2), Conv: Lucu (4), Garcia (2); Pen: Lucu
Saracens (12) Tries: Lewington, Dan, Conv: Goode
Attendance: 28,097
Referee: Frank Murphy
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:04:24:16:47:15 by Darraghgirl.
Far too often we are seeing TMO decisions influenced by ‘home’ TV Directors and TV Commentary teams.
TMO doesn’t need to hear TV Commentary full stop, should only see live pictures until replays are requested and replay of captured camera coverage should be controlled by a neutral official if the French etc can’t be unbiased!
Quote:tigersimon
Do think World Rugby, 6N committee, EPCR, PRL etc need to sort out TMO and TV replays!
Far too often we are seeing TMO decisions influenced by ‘home’ TV Directors and TV Commentary teams.
TMO doesn’t need to hear TV Commentary full stop, should only see live pictures until replays are requested and replay of captured camera coverage should be controlled by a neutral official if the French etc can’t be unbiased!
Absolutely. Considering the response to Austin Healey highlighting an issue in The Shoxdown not being acted upon, the same integrity in other competitions would go amiss
It always hurts to lose, and this one, as in January, was bloody painful, but I’m trying to see it was the sun going down on one era before the dawn of an exciting new one.
Quote:batfordboy
More worrying is the Telegraph quoting Jamie as saying we opted out of the fight in the second half. Disrespectful to the spirit and particularly the travelling support. Morale problems creeping into the camp?
Jamie spoke in disappointment and frustration, entirely to be expected.
Penny hasn't dropped so far this season, wonder if it will before the season end?
Well done Quins.
Exceptional from Quins. A game comfortably worthy of a full Final.
Very impressive.
Innings
Points win matches: tries win hearts and minds.
Maybe we'll be surprised come the Glaws game?