Rolling subs but Blues prove no roll-overs

TC in the points
By Jason Harris
August 22 2005

Saracens opened their 2005-06 campaign scoring two tries in either half to see off League One outfit Bedford Blues 28-8 at Goldington Road.

In a somewhat run-of-the-mill match overshadowed by the late withdrawal of Andy Farrell after he sustained a toe injury during training, the Men in Black tried many combinations as Steve Diamond and Mike Ford look at the shape of the side that will play against Wasps at Twickenham on September third.

Hooker Matt Cairns opened the scoring early on as the rest of the forwards heaved him over the line from close range with Glen Jackson booting the goal.

Sarries extended their lead later in the first half with Thomas Castaignede rounded off a move that began with a cross kick that was muffed by new wing Nnamdi Obi. The former Henley man's blushes were spared by Ben Johnston who collected the ball and gave the scoring pass. Jackson duly added the conversion from in front of the posts.

Bedford got themselves on the scoreboard with a Mark Harris penalty and the teams changed ends with Sarries ahead 14-3.

The second half saw the inevitable swathe of changes as both management teams threw their large replacement corps into the fray. Once again, Bedford's stout resistance kept the score the same for the third quarter until a bodged clearance kick sat up for Sarries skipper Hugh Vyvyan who gleefully pounced on the loose ball to score with Ben J Russell adding the extras.

Castaignede's afternoon had not finished by a long chalk and it was his break that split the tiring Blues rearguard to put Richard Haughton in for an easy touchdown. Jackson completed the Sarries scoring with his third conversion of the afternoon before Chris Rainbow gave the home supporters something to cheer about going over for a score close to full time.

Sarries, despite looking ordinary at times, will be pleased with the result given the home side's determination to keep them at bay and they will face a more stern test next week when NEC Harlequins - who beat Bristol 40-14 at the Memorial Stadium on Sunday - bring their squad full of Premiership experience to Harpenden.

Saracens
Castaignede, Haughton, Johnston, Sorrell, Obi, Jackson, Dickens, Yates, Cairns, Broster, Vyvyan, Chesney, Randell, Sanderson, Skirving

Replacements
Kyriacou, Lloyd, Ryder, Russell T, Seymour, Rauluni, Russell J, Little, Mathias

Scorers
Tries: Cairns, Castaignede, Vyvyan, Haughton
Conversions: Jackson (3), Russell


Bedford: Harris; Moir, Montgomery, Allen, Hinkins; Luke, Malone; Tonga'uiha, Johnson, Brooks; Phillips, Brenton; Strauss, Harding, Brady.
Replacements: Ross, Graham, Comb, Dickson, Paramore, Lewis, Rainbow, Kendall, Page.

Scorers:
Try: Rainbow
Penalty goal: Harris

Attendance: 1,867.

Referee: Rob Debney