Bath bosh sorry Sarries

By Jason Harris
March 2 2003

Saracens were drawn into the relegation mire after a dismal performance at the Rec on Saturday, going down 30-9 to basement side Bath. The hosts took the maximum five league points after scoring four tries during a game in which Sarries were very much second best.

Bath, despite having nearly all the play in the first half, were jittery and failed on several occasions to capitalise on their virtual territorial and possessional monopoly.

But Scotland 'A' wing Simon Danielly eased Bath nerves with a try just before the half hour and he doubled his tally almost immediatlely after the second half re-start to take his side well beyond the reach of the hapless Saracens.

With a quarter of an hour left, Kevin Maggs scored Bath's third try and their bonus point was secured ten minutes from time with a spectacular 70-metre effort by debutant Samoa international Elvis Seveali'i.

Bath outside half Chris Malone kicked two penalties and two conversions and Sarries' only points of a long, painful afternoon came from three Andy Goode penalty goals.

The result lifts Bath three places in the standings and with Newcastle picking up a losing bonus point after their narrow defeat at Sarries' next opponents London Wasps, the sides bottom half of the table are now covered by a mere four points.

Like it or not, Saracens are very much in the relegation dogfight and will hope that the fact that only one of their remaining five games is away will stand them in good stead after just one win on the road all year.