Saracens 31 - Saints 19 Match Report

Gardens Legend
By Rich at the Cannes Inn
September 29 2002

For the past three weeks the message boarders have been debating the size of victory when the Saints finally put together 80 minutes of flowing rugby. Yesterday at Vicarage road we discovered what happens when the Saints don't play any rugby at all.

Both sides were missing key players and for Saints Dawson and Blowers were key losses. Former Gardens favourite and current Sarries coach Buck Shelford had to draft in a loan prop and left out stars such as Bracken, Castaignède and Benazzi.

To the game and it was Sarries who started like 'Hats on Wheels'. As early as the second minute Adryan Winnan, the Sarries full back kicked an innocuous up and under which seemed to lack both length and height. However Saints made a total mess of it with Richard Hill pouncing on the loose ball and making the hard yards before feeding lock Stuart Hooper for the try. Goode converted to make the score 7-0.

This was the first example of missing Dawson as he so often deals with kicks that aren't deep enough for Beal at fullback.

Following the try Saints had all the ball but could do nothing with it. Brooks delivery from the base was simply atrocious meaning the Saints had no time to spread the ball wide. The midfield backs were receiving man and ball and if Cohen or Ripol got their hands on it there was a three-man reception committee.

One such example of poor delivery saw Grayson take the ball behind him to blow yet another promising position. It is a credit to Larry that he was able to spin on the spot and slot a drop goal.

Bizarrely though, Saints traditional weaknesses evaporated as they had both strong lineouts and solid restarts. In this area Mark Connors had an outstanding afternoon.

The half was reduced to a kicking duel as Goode and Grayson kept the scoreboard ticking over. Half time score Sarries 16 - Saints 9.

At the break Saints replaced Brooks and Seely with Howard and Soden. Brooks had an abysmal first half looking a shadow of the player who strongly deputised for Dawson last season. Howard made an instant impact with much faster and more accurate possession for Grayson.

Saints stepped up a gear and were unlucky when Tom Smith was adjudged not to ground the ball following powerful and aggressive driving play. To be fair it was no more than a 50:50 decision and Saints have already used up their luck on those this season.

In the first half Sarries success owed much to their disruption at the tackle area. With Saints protecting the ball better, Sarries infringed repeatedly with Yandell given ten minutes for multiple offences.

Finally Saints managed the break through. Quick ball into space saw Mark Connors make a well-timed pass to Nick Beal who once again showed his pace and power to score the try from about 30 metres out. Grayson converted and the score was 16-16. Surely the home sides will and cussed defence was broken and Saints would close the game out.
Not a bit of it. Sarries came back more determined and Goode had soon kicked them to 22-16. From here they turned the screw playing a territory game, first pinning Saints in their own half with clever kicks and then tackling like demons to make sure they stayed there.

Saints pounded and pounded and could have taken the game. Marsters was sinned binned for Sarries and Saints ran the penalties. But a combination of excellent defending and incompetent back play prevented the scores.

Grayson did kick a penalty to get three back but Goode continued with monster 50+ metres kicks that kept Saints on their heels. Final score Saracens 31 - Saints 19.

To sum this game up it was very poor. It would be unfair to suggest Sarries didn't deserve the points because they did. In fact they have shown every coach in the premiership how to beat the Saints. It's simple disrupt the tackle area, just be menaces. Saints game relies on attritional recycling and quick ball, on yesterday's showing there is no plan B.

Plus points are that the lineout and re-start was hugely improved. The bizarre point is that Saints gained no free kicks or penalties from scrum infringements despite a clear superiority. The most amusing event of the afternoon was when the remote control car that brings out the kicking tee failed to work. Personally I suspect one of the great unwashed!
Where the Saints go from here is another test of character, Wayne Smith has always talked of a 3-year plan so let's hope this is another blip. Post match the Smudger talked of not controlling the tackle area and Saracens having more spirit, I sense strong words and a big beasting on Monday morning, probably around 7am.