Sarries sink deeper into trouble

By Ben Harman at Vicarage Road
April 6 2003

Saracens sank deeper into the Zurich Premiership relegation mire after another "must win" game was lost, this time to bottom-of-the-table London Irish, 14-12. Four Nicky Little penalties were all Sarries could muster in a very poor game played by two poor sides.

The Times this week gave the Saracens pack the dubious "honour" of being the worst pack in the premiership. This was an assertion that London Irish were only too keen to play upon on Sunday as Sarries slumped to their seventh straight defeat.

The loss of Hill and Chesney to injuries this week took a huge toll on the already underpowered pack, as the youthful Sarries back row struggled cope with their more streetwise opponents.

As early as the second minute a speculative drop goal attempt from Castaignede was fielded by Horak in his own 22, the full back ran the ball back at - and ultimatly through - the home side, breaking 4 flimsy tackles on his way to score out wide.

Sarries were did not apper flustered and set about clawing back the points. The pack were workmanlike and gained parity in the set pieces for most of the first half. It soon became apparent, though, that Sarries were struggling to get quick ball from the rucks.

Bracken was becoming frustrated with referee Ashley Rowden's interpretation at the breakdown and the home team unable to recycle quick ball. This problem set the tone for the match and led to the sin-binning of Matt Cairns and the squandering of at least two try scoring opportunities.

Sarries had the lion's share of possession and territory for the first half. After infringements by the Exiles' defence, the home team tried to press home their advantage by spurning the three points and kicking for the corner. Twice the home team were thwarted by stubborn defence and ultimately had to settle for the penalty goal.

Approaching half time after a further exchange of penalties Sarries looked to be slightly the more assured of the teams. Then Cairns was yellow carded. The hooker had vented his frustration at the exiles, unleashing a useful punch by way of justice for the persistant killing of the ball.

Starting the second half with 14 men was far from ideal and even after the team returned to a full complement with Marsters and Russell brought on from the bench, fatigue had set in and the pack started to back pedal.

There was no control at the base of the scrum which was now in freewheel and the rucks were a mess. An increasingly frustrated Bracken remonstrated with Rowden, as time after time he tried to free the ball from the breakdown as the visiting pack surged forward.

The now exhausted Saracens front five just couldn't keep up and what ball the backs did receive was slow. In the heat of battle the new look backline failed to gel, they looked very much like this was the first time they had played together.

The game ended in nail-biting fashion. Venter had given Saracens' Nicky Little a penalty opportunity after persistant dangerous tackles which allowed the home team to pass the 80 minute mark ahead 12-11.

After some reolute defensive work Sarries finally conceded a penalty just inside the Exiles half. In disgust, Robbie Russel threw the ball away which prompted Vicarage Road regular Rowden to march play 10 meters upfield.
Barry Everitt stepped up to slot the ensuing goal and help his side to a crucial four premiership points.

Saracens' fitness was again found wanting, as was the lack of power up front. If they are to gain any more wins this term the games will have to be "put to bed" in the first half as the team is unable to perform for the full 80.

Though Saracens remain in eighth place in the ladder thanks to the losing bonus point picked up after this match, their position looks more shaky as, with the exception of Bath who returned to the foot of the table today, all the teams below them have at least one game in hand.

Next up for the increasingly nervous Men in Black are Bristol Shoguns on Tuesday 29 April in a game that will be televised live by Sky Sports.