Saracens book LV= Cup semi-final clash with Northampton Saints

6:48pm Sunday 7th February 2010

By Simon Mail

Saracens secured an LV= Cup semi-final at Northampton Saints despite losing 23-22 at home to Newport Gwent Dragons this evening.

The Men in Black were well below par and were facing the prospect of an early exit from the competition after two tries from Dragons’ wing Will Harries. But Chris Wyles’ second-half effort helped Saracens, courtesy of the bonus point, earn a rematch at Northampton.

The hosts made three changes from the team which won convincingly at Leeds Carnegie last week. Glen Jackson returned to replace Derick Hougaard at fly-half with Justin Marshall also starting in place of Moses Rauluni. Hayden Smith came into the second row with Hugh Vyvyan ruled out for two months with a knee ligament injury.

Sarries took the lead after six minutes when Jackson booted over the first penalty of the match. The Men in Black were given another penalty minutes later after a high challenge from Matthew Watkins on Richard Haughton. Jackson had no problem adding the three points as they took an early grip on the contest.

But the Dragons responded after 17 minutes with an outstanding individual try. Harries picked up the ball just inside his own half and charged down the right touchline before cutting inside and wrong footing the home defence to cross the line. Jason Tovey’s conversion fired the Welsh visitors in front.

The Men in Black regained the lead midway through the half after the Dragons were caught offside and Jackson fired the penalty between the posts. Newport were awarded their first penalty and Tovey kicked over the effort to restore their narrow advantage.

The Dragons conceded another penalty and Jackson punished them again by edging them back into the lead. But Jackson missed a chance to put some distance between the sides when he knocked another penalty wide of the target.

Newport snatched the half-time lead with the last kick of the half when Tovey fired over a penalty.

Saracens suffered the worst possible start to the second half when they conceded their second try. The hosts lost possession inside their own half and a grubber kick landed perfectly for Harries to touch down over in the corner. Tovey’s conversion meant Sarries were facing up to the prospect of elimination.

Director of rugby Brendan Venter acted promptly by making three changes and one of the replacements, Hougaard, had an immediate impact with his drop goal bringing Saracens to within five points of the opposition.

Sarries breathed a sigh of relief in the 55th minute when they took advantage of a mistake to get on the scoresheet. Wyles charged down a kick by Tovey and the American international raced clear to score. Hougaard’s conversion established a 22-20 lead for the Guinness Premiership outfit.

But it did not last long as Tovey kept his composure to land a drop goal which fired the Dragons back in front. With only ten minutes remaining, Hougaard failed to find the target with his long-range penalty never close.

The former Springbok was handed another chance three minutes later but his effort lacked the distance. The crowd howled their disapproval after an abject drop goal attempt by Wyles as Sarries tried desperately to snatch the win.

There were more boos after Hougaard lashed another drop goal effort hopelessly wide with only two minutes left on the clock. Hougaard decided to avoid the risk of conceding another try by booting the ball into touch as Saracens strangely advanced to the semi-finals despite their second defeat in only four games.

Saracens: Wyles, Haughton (Short, 59), Penney, Powell, Tagicakibau, Jackson (Hougaard, 48), Marshall (De Kock, 48); Lealamanua, Brits (Reynecke, 63), Skuse, Smith, Botha (Ryder, 48), Van Heerden (Saull, 60), Burger, Joubert

Newport Gwent Dragons: Thomas, Harries, Watkins, Smith, Fussell (Brew, 71), Tovey, Evans (Leadbeater, 61); Gustafson, S Jones (Goodfield, 54), Castle (Palmer, 61), A Jones, Sidoli, Lydiate, Thomas, Webb

Scoring: 3-0, 6-0, 6-5, 6-7, 9-7, 9-10, 12-10, 12-13 HT 12-18, 12-20, 15-20, 20-20, 22-20, 22-23