Sarries overcome Bedford Blues (From Watford Observer)

Saracens defeat Bedford Blues

1:41pm Monday 13th August 2012 in Sport

Saracens overcame Bedford Blues 24-12 in their first pre-season game before the start of the 2012/13 season as they look to regain their Premiership title.

Former England international Charlie Hodgson and Will Fraser scored two tries either side of a penalty try to seal a dominant victory for the Men in Black.

The first try of the game came early as Hodgson blocked an attempted clearance by Ian Vass repeating his try scoring heroics from this year’s Six Nations where he earned the tag of ‘charge-down Charlie’ after two charged-down scores against Scotland and Italy.

The second try was down to the dominant pack that Sarries possess. After a scrum collapsed twice in front of the Bedford Blues posts, the referee had seen enough and awarded the away side a penalty try to lead at half-time 17-0.

Normal service was resumed once the players came back out with winger James Short making a break from his own 22 before powerful back-rower Mako Vunipola charged his way forward.

Rugby League convert Joel Tomkins then quickly released the ball to Fraser who finished a brilliant move which started at the other end of the pitch by crashing over the line.

However, as Saracens made changes to their line-up (11 in total) they lost momentum, with Bedford getting their first score with 20 minutes to go through a try by Josh Bassett, after a delicate chip by former Saracens fly-half Jake Sharp.

As the clock ticked down, Saracens conceded another try after a loose pass in midfield allowed Ali Price to get the Blues’ second try and the last score of the match.