|
|
Click here to see last season's writeups.
| Morganians - 26th November 2011 | Bath Saracens 64 Morganians 10 |
|
Bath Saracens made it 3 wins out of 4 for November, running in 10 tries in this long-standing friendly fixture with their opponents from Bridgewater. Sarries have found the league hard going after their promotion last season, however recent performances have shown a steady improvement and their visitors were put on the back foot right from the start. Full back Simon Porter crossed the line to open the scoring barely five minutes into the game, quickly followed by flanker Chris Revell and lock Sam Blackburn. Further tries from Revell, scrum half John Catchpole, and fly half Dan Hine, saw Sarries lead 38-0 at the interval. With a freshening wind behind them Morganians came out strongly in the second half. A period of pressure on their hosts try line saw them rewarded with their first points of the afternoon. This appeared to lift their confidence and shortly after they scored again. Sarries then upped their game and with the visitors tiring from their efforts they ran in another 4 tries without further reply. Porter crossed for his second of the afternoon, winger Andy Winchcombe scored his first try for the club, and Revell touched down twice for a personal four-try haul. Ted Baker kicked well in the tricky conditions and added seven conversions. Sarries will hope this form continues as they return to league action this weekend with a visit to Pewsey Vale. Rob L. | |
| Fairford - 12th November 2011 | Fairford 22 Bath Saracens 25 |
|
Bath Saracens finally got off the mark in Dorset & Wilts division 1, with a hard fought win away at Fairford. The Claverton Down based side have found it hard going after winning promotion last season, and after a poor run of results they suffered a further set back when they incurred a points deduction for an administrative error. Things finally took a turn for the good in mid week when they beat MOD side Abbey Wood from Bristol, in a friendly match under lights at Combe Down RFC. This result gave them a much needed boost days before the journey to their fellow league strugglers. Both sides suffered injuries in the early exchanges and were forced to use replacements. After an error-ridden first quarter the home side took the lead with a penalty kick followed shortly after with a converted try. Sarries had always looked dangerous on the attack and soon cut the deficit when centre Ed Bodger broke through the Fairford back line and crossed for an unconverted try. The visitors kept up the pressure on the home side and were rewarded when centre Ted Harding slotted over a penalty. Shortly before the interval and against the run of play, the home side added a second converted try to increase their lead and turn around at half time with a 17 - 8 lead. Sarries continued in the ascendancy in the second half and after a long period of pressure on the Fairford line, scrum half Simon Porter charged down a clearance and crossed to touch down under the post, Baker added the conversion. The home side responded well and immediately went on the attack looking to regain a clear lead. Their hard work was rewarded with a 3rd try in the corner, and the game went into the last quarter with Fairford leading 22 - 15. Sarries then upped their game again and threw everything into a last effort to level the scores. The breakthrough came 5 minutes from the end when Porter made a break from the half way line and left the Fairford defence in his wake touching down for his second try of the afternoon, Baker again added the extra's. Sarries weren't finished and sensing an away win with a bonus point they went searching for their fourth try. Flanker Chris Revell made a great break from the restart and set up a play deep in the hosts' half. After a period of pressure on the opponents' line Fairford looked to have survived the late onslaught before they gave away a penalty on their 10 yard line. Baker who had kicked well all afternoon stepped up and calmly slotted over the kick, and Sarries played out the last few seconds for a well deserved victory. Rob L. | |
| Swindon 2nds - 29th October 2011 | Bath Saracens 5 Swindon 2nds 85 |
|
Same effort, same outcome. Once again Sarries gave 100% but due to unavailabilties and some last minute cry off's they were forced to field a back line that included 5 forwards and everyone playing out of position. Swindon who were run away winners of the league below last year and were promoted along with the Sarries, have adjusted well back in the higher league, and seem capable of achieving a place in the top two come the end of the season. Sarries started well and a period of pressure saw them awarded a penalty beneath the posts. Unfortunately the kick went wide and as Swindon started to get into their stride they soon crossed for their first try. Once again the Sarries forwards performed well in the set plays, however when in possession Swindon were able to exploit the inevitable gaps which appeared in the mid field. Notable performances for the Sarries were prop Russell Kay who while still new to the role is getting better and better every game. Back rows Lloyd Evans and Shaun Boyton were excellent in the lineouts, however man of the match was Chris Revell. Playing out of position at centre he had an outstanding game and fully deserved his second half try, set up through a quickly taken penalty by stand in scrum half Simon Porter. Sarries now have a weekend off before next week's mid week friendly v Abbey Wood, and then their crucial weekend visit to bottom of the table Fairford. Two wins in these next two matches is achievable and would really kick start the season. Rob L. | |
| Calne - 22nd October 2011 | Calne 50 Bath Saracens 0 |
|
Sarries suffered a further defeat in their away visit to Calne, however they can take plenty of encouragement from the attitude and performance particularly in the first half. Up against a huge pack who had already caused problems for several of the promotion chasing teams in the division, the Sarries forwards knew they were in for a dificult afternoon. However with a solid performance from the front row trio of Lewis Jones, Robbie Lawrence and Russell Kay, and with the line out working realy well, Calne were made to work hard for a half time lead of 10-0. The fact that their scoring was limited to tries out wide was attributed not only to the stubborness of the Sarries pack but also to some tremendous defence across the back line. Sarries started the second half full of confidence however in the early exchanges Calne intercepted a loose pass and opened up a 17-0 lead. This seemed to take the wind out of the visitors and from then on Calne always looked like walking away with the victory. Once again Sarries tired in the last quarter and Calne were able to rack up the points. Debutants Lewis Jones (prop), James Roper (fly half) & Adam Patton (wing) all put in creditable performance. Flanker Shaun Boyton who is currently away on a work placement returned for his first game of the season and was excellent in the line out and in the loose. Follow this link to see Calne RFC's photos of the action. Rob L. | |