Saracens prevail in mud bath
Saracens strengthened their European Challenge Cup credentials with a 16-6 victory at Bayonne.
Last Updated: 06/12/08 10:15pm
Saracens strengthened their European Challenge Cup credentials with a 16-6 win over Bayonne at Stade Jean Dauger.
The Pool Five match was played on a difficult pitch following a month of persistent rain in the Basque country and it quickly became apparent that field position and minimising handling mistakes would be the key to victory.
Bayonne had opted to rest such star names as Australian pivot Manny Edmonds, full-back Pepito Elhorga and Craig Gower on the wing with their respectable Top 14 assault taking preference.
Saracens fly-half Glen Jackson struck the post with a relatively simple penalty attempt on 24 minutes to waste the first scoring opportunity.
Referee Andrew McPherson did not endear himself to the crowd just two minutes before the interval by penalising Benjamin Lhande for beginning the motion of kicking following being awarded the mark.
Scragged
The onrushing Saracens defenders scragged the wing and with Bayonne players contesting the decision, Jackson posted the opening points to make it 3-0 at half-time.
Upon the turnaround there were more off-the-ball incidents to keep McPherson busy as opposing props Census Johnston and Julian Fiorini came to blows five minutes in. And that seemed to lift the partisan crowd as former Sale Sharks player Daniel Larrechea sent over a levelling three points.
However, a breakdown offence from the French allowed Jackson to edge Saracens back in front on 55 minutes just as hooker Fabio Ongaro was forced from the field with a neck injury, replaced by Andy Kyriacou.
Jackson added another three points to stretch the lead to six, but that was swiftly cancelled out by Larrachea as the contest petered out with the only try coming late from substitute Moses Rauluni.
