Ashton makes debut in Sarries defeat (From Watford Observer)

Chris Ashton makes debut in Saracens' defeat to Treviso

4:24pm Monday 20th August 2012 in Sport

Chris Ashton made his debut as Saracens continued their preparations for the next season with a 14-11 loss to Italian side Treviso.

The England winger joined the former Aviva Premiership champions from Northampton Saints this summer.

A former Wigan Warriors Rugby League player, Ashton started his career in the different code of the game in great from and was even the joint top try-scorer in the 2011 Rugby World Cup, with six tries.

However, despite Ashton making his bow for the Men in Black, they couldn’t stop Treviso taking the lead early on as they secured the ball from a line-out five metres from the line before pushing their way over.

Two Charlie Hodgson penalties cut the lead to just one point as the two teams went into half-time.

As the two teams came back out nothing could separate them until replacement scrum-half Ben Spencer made the game come alive.

The 20-year-old made a quick run into the opposition 22 before Saracens were rewarded a scrum. From this set-piece he kicked the ball through the last line of defence collecting the ball himself and going over the line.

The try looked to have sealed a second successive pre-season victory but the home side scored a late try through Simone Favaro to secure the win.

Saracens' next game is against French giants Stade Francais on August 23 at 6:15pm.