Sarries late show sinks Saints (From Watford Observer)

Sarries late show sinks Saints

4:43pm Saturday 27th September 2008 in

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Saracens worked hard for the points but eventually their pressure told as they defeated Northampton Saints 26-12 at Vicarage Road this afternoon.

Sarries trailed for most of the game despite bossing possession but two yellow cards for the away side, for the second week in a row, proved costly as tries in the last quarter from Rod Penney and outstanding number eight Michael Owen completed their second Guinness Premiership win in a row.

The Men in Black named an unchanged side for the third successive match after thrashing Newcastle Falcons last week. And the hosts started impressively as they mounted an early attack through Glen Jackson and Richard Haughton. The move broke down but they were given a penalty on four minutes which Jackson uncharacteristically struck wide of the posts.

Saracens had a scare inside their own 22 when Penney's clearance was charged down by Mark Hopley but the ball bounced out of play.

Sarries wasted another opportunity after 11 minutes to take the lead but fly-half Jackson was again wayward with his penalty attempt. Eddie Jones' side enjoyed most of the possession in the opening quarter of the contest but were struggling to turn it into an advantgage on the scoreboard.

The Saints were handed the chance to sneak in front after 23 minutes when Scott Gray broke away and was hauled down. Stephen Myler easily converted the penalty to hand the visitors an unlikely lead.

But Saracens deservedly drew level after 32 minutes when Kiwi Jackson finally found his kicking touch. He sent a penalty from virtually on the halfway line straight over the target after an opponent had come off his feet.

Northampton enjoyed a rare attack when Myler's kick found Bruce Reihana in a dangerous position but the skipper was caught offside. But they were handed another chance to score after an attack instigated by Dylan Hartley. The Saints were on the brink of the first try of the match but an offside against Sarries enabled Myler to restore their lead just before half-time. It could have even better for the Saints but Lee Dickson's forward pass prevented them from completing a flowing move which would have led to a breakthrough try. Northampton ended the half in the ascendancy after clawing their way back into the game after a dominant start by Sarries.

Sarries conceded another penalty four minutes into the second half after coming in from the side. Myler kept his form going with a superb kick from the left edge of the half to give the Saints a 9-3 lead.

The game flowed from one end to another as Sarries mounted an attack before Carlos Spencer's kick almost played in Sean Lamont but the Scottish back knocked the ball on.

The Men in Black were handed another opportunity when they were awarded a penalty on the left side of the pitch and Jackson reduced the deficit to just three points with 22 minutes remaining.

But Northampton responded immediately as the excellent Myler fired over a drop goal from the halfway line. Saracens did not have to wait long for their next penalty and Jackson instantly replied to keep them within touching distance.

Saracens mounted even more pressure near the tryline and the visitors had replacement Ben Foden sinbinned after 65 minutes. From the resulting scrum they finally got the breakthrough their play deserved. Glen Jackson exchanged passes with Neil de Kock and set up Penney for the score on the right edge of the line. Jackson made the conversion as Saracens went in front for the first time in the match.

The Saints lost their discipline and were reduced to 13 men when Hartley was punished for an infringement. Sarries put the game beyond the visitors eight minutes from time when Owen bundled his way over for his first Guinness Premiership try. Jackson converted as the hosts moved into an 11 point lead with less than ten minutes remaining.

Kris Chesney was brought on late on, to the delight of the home crowd, for his 200th Premiership appearance for the Men in Black.

Replacement fly-half Gordon Ross added a late penalty to put the seal on a hard-fought victory over the Saints.

Saracens: Haughton (Wyles, 52), Penney, Sorrell, Powell, Ratuvou, Jackson (Ross, 71), de Kock; Aguero, Ongaro, Johnston (Visagie, 67), Borthwick, Vyvyan (Chesney, 71), Jack (Skirving, 44), Saull, Owen.

Northampton: Myler, Reihana, Ansbro, Downey (Mayor, 11), Lamont, Spencer, Dickson (Foden, 52); Tonga'Uiha (Smith, 54), Hartley, Murray (Stewart, 54), Fernadez Lobbe, Day, Hopley, Gray, Wilson.

Scoring: 0-3, 3-3, 3-6 HT 3-9, 6-9, 6-12, 9-12, 14-12, 16-12, 21-12, 23-12, 26-12.

Referee: Martin Fox Attendance: 7,409