Sarries see off Warriors

Saracens held off a late Glasgow rally to open their Heineken Cup campaign with a 33-31 win at Vicarage Road.

The Guinness Premiership outfit were dominant for much of the Pool Four clash but were unable to break clear of their opponents.

Tries from Hugh Vyvyan, Rod Penney, Ben Skirving and Kameli Ratuvou should have led to a straightforward afternoon for the home side.

However, the Warriors fought hard right until the final whistle and threatened a shock result with two late scores of their own in the closing minutes.

Heavy pressure

The Magners League side had been forced to withstand heavy pressure for long periods as they were penned inside their own half.

It was only the boot of Dan Parks that kept them in touch, the Scottish international landing four of his five penalty attempts.

He was unable to add the extras to Glasgow's only try of the opening half though that had been scored by flanker John Barclay in the left-hand corner.

That effort was much-needed for the visitors after Saracens, who had fallen behind to an early Parks kick - had threatened to blow them away.

Fly-half Glen Jackson, who slotted over two first-half penalties, played a key role in setting up scores for Vyvyan and Penney, both of which he converted as well.

Skirving also crossed straight after prop Kevin Yates had been held up over the line, as Sarries went in at the interval leading comfortably at 25-11.

Bonus try

Fijian international Ratuvou scored home try number four in the left-hand corner to seal what could be a crucial bonus point just 12 minutes after the re-start.

But, to their credit, Glasgow did not give in, setting up a grandstand finish with two late tries of their own from replacement Hefin O'Hare and captain Alistair Kellock.

Parks made no mistake with both conversion attempts that meant the only difference between the two teams was Jackson's 79th-minute penalty.

The number 10's vital kick made sure Sarries kept their noses in front when the final whistle blew, but Glasgow had the consolation of a losing bonus point.