Bath incur Sarries wrath
Saracens moved up to fouth in the table with an impressive 26-20 win over Bath at Vicarage Road.
By Joe Drabble
Last Updated: 28/01/08 11:36am
Saracens moved up to fourth in the table with an impressive 26-20 win over Bath at Vicarage Road.
A brace of tries from South African Brent Russell and a total of 16 ponts from the boot of Glen Jackson secured the victory which sees Sarries leap-frog Sale back up to fourth.
Bath picked up a bonus point thanks to a late Jonny Faamatuainu score, but on the day Saracens were good value for their win as Olly Barkley endured a mixed day with the ball.
Barkley scored Bath's other try, but it was a case of what might have been for the visitors' number 10 as he was taught a kicking master-class by his opposing fly-half Jackson.
Both sides suffered overnight blows to their starting line-up. Saracens captain Neil de Kock declared himself unfit and was replaced by Alan Dickens with Andy Farrell taking up the captaincy.
Bath centre Joe Maddock failed to shrug off a virus and Andrew Higgins slotted into the back-line in his place.
The early stages saw Bath concede three penalties inside the first four minutes, and the first penalty within kickable distance was put between the posts by Jackson.
The visitors responded impressively and a fluent attacking move eventually resulted in a penalty for an offside infringement which Barkley unbelievably missed from close range.
Stout defence from the home side prevented Bath crossing the line soon after with David Seymour the hero with a last ditch tackle on Michael Lipman.
Territorial dominance by the visitors resulted in a penalty after Saracens were guilty of not moving away from the tackle. Despite being within 10 yards of the post Barkley opted for touch rather than for the posts.
It proved to be an inspired decision by captain Shaun Berne as the resulting line-out saw the ball passed out between the back-line and Butch James dived over for a well-worked try.
James appeared to injure his shoulder whilst grounding the ball and he was immediately replaced by Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu.
Swift move
Barkley's kicking woe continued as he missed the conversion from almost an identical position to his earlier penalty.
Saracens' response was clinical. Kris Chesney won the line-out and Saracens sprayed quick ball out to the on-rushing Russell.
The tricky full-back jinked inside Andrew Higgins to cross the try line and complete a swift Sarries move. Russell converted to make the score 10-5 after 30 minutes of action.
Bath continued to pummel the home try-line before the break, but the well-organised home defence was like a brick wall at times and Saracens were unable to penetrate.
The visitors were guilty of a lapse in concentration just before the interval and were guilty of coming in at the side and giving away a sloppy penalty.
Jackson completed a flawless half of kicking by striking over for another three points.
The early stages of the second half saw Saracens coach Gaffney make two changes as Seymour and stand-in captain Andy Farrell were replaced by Don Barrell and Francisco Leonelli respectively.
In a quiet start to the second half the game suddenly sprung into life on 53 minutes.
A powerful run from Lipman broke the Sarries game-line and he fed Barkley who skipped past a weak tackle from Russell to dive under the posts.
The fly-half converted his try to bring his side within a point of the hosts at 13-12.
However, the gap was increased only a minute later as Jackson struck home his 11th point by converting a long distance penalty.
Static defence
Jackson then produced the moment of the match with a fantastic piece of improvisation on the half-way line.
The Sarries number 10 chipped the ball over a flat Bath defensive line and collected his own kick. With the visitors' defence left static Jackson fed Powell who in turn played in Russell who was clean through to score.
Jackson converted as Saracens established a degree of breathing distance at 23-12 with 20 minutes remaining.
Barkley re-discovered his kicking form to fire home a penalty five minutes later when Sarries were guilty of coming in from the side.
Another careless penalty was given away by Bath to give Jackson the opportunity to restore the 11-point difference - and the New Zealander made no mistake as he claimed his 16th point of the afternoon.
With four minutes remaining Bath picked up a bonus point after a fine display of individual strength from Faamatuainu.
The Samoan powered his way through two Saracens tackles to give Bath late hope. Barkley missed a tough conversion to leave the score at 26-20 with only two minutes remaining.
However, the clock ticked down with Bath unable to gain possession late-on and Saracens picked up a much-needed a deserved victory.
