Saracens Continue Winning Ways over Bath
Saracens Continue Winning Ways over Bath
©Press Association
Saracens continued their unbeaten season with another five victory, as the league leaders beat Bath 31-17 at Allianz Park on Sunday afternoon.
After close opening few minutes Saracens produced a stunning first half display to secure the hosts a four try bonus point before the break.
Both teams came into the game having recorded back to back wins in the opening two rounds of the season, and a highly competitive, close encounter was predicted; however, it was Saracens that produced an incredible performance in the first half to essential seal the game early on.
As the game began both teams exchanged early penalties through Owen Farrell and Tom Heathcote.
Bath, who had made six changes from the side that beat Champions Leicester last weekend, look uncomfortable as the game began to open up properly and Saracens took the ascendancy.
Winger David Strettle was the first Sarrie to cross the Bath whitewash as he continued his fine early season form.
On his return from injury, England fullback Alex Goode, doubled the home side’s tally as he crossed for another score just 10 minutes later.
Things did not get any easier for the West Country men, with hooker Rob Webber being sent to the sin-bin for killing the ball.
England prop Matt Stevens capitalised on the man advantage as he powered through a ruck to score his club’s third try.
Owen Farrell converted all three of the penalties and converted a fourth as Strettle crossed the line for his second try of the game; securing Saracens bonus point before the break.
As the teams returned to the field for the second half there was an immediate change in the Saracens game plan who looked to consolidate their lead rather than press on. This proved to be an error of judgement as Bath improved significantly from the first half.
The improvement in play proved worthy as Bath’s Rokoduguni intercepted a poor pass from fullback Goode to score Bath’s first try of the game.
Young replacement fly half George Ford, soon after, looked to be through for a try until a superb covering tackle from Chris Ashton halted his advances.
However, Saracens could not hold out a much improved Bath before the end of the game, as Attwood crossed the home try line for a second consolation try seconds before the full time whistle.
Bath seemed to have made far too many changes from the side that recorded an impressive win over Leicester last weekend. Also, as impressive as Saracens were in the first half, it was still slightly worrying to see just how much momentum they lost in the second half after they tried to sit on their four try lead. Attack really did look to be the best form of defence in the game.
Bath coach Mike Ford tried to explain the reasons for his changes and the loss when he spoke to the BBC: "You have to be deep inside our camp to understand what we're trying to do.
"There was a plan behind it. You don't throw any game.
"It wasn't great. We were blown away in the first half, Saracens squeezed us really well and we compounded one or two things. They played really well."
Saracens will be looking to make it four wins from four next weekend against Harlequins at the Stoop; whilst Bath host London Irish at the Rec. looking to return to their winning ways.
Line-Ups:
Saracens: Goode, Ashton, Wyles, Taylor, Strettle, Farrell, Wigglesworth, M. Vunipola, Brits, Stevens, Borthwick, Kruis, B. Vunipola, Burger, Joubert.
Replacements: Ransom for Goode (67), de Kock for Wigglesworth (60), Barrington for M. Vunipola (67), George for Brits (60), Johnston for Stevens (47), Hargreaves for Borthwick (47), Brown for Burger (54).
Bath: Watson, Rokoduguni, Banahan, Henson, Biggs, Heathcote, Roberts, Perenise, Webber, Wilson, Hooper, Day, Faosiliva, Mercer, Houston.
Replacements: Garvey for Mercer (40), Ford for Heathcote (40), Joseph for Henson (54), Young for Roberts (60), James for Perenise (31), Palma-Newport for Wilson (73), Attwood for Day (52), Dunn for Banahan (77).
