4:52pm Saturday 13th February 2010
By Simon Mail
Saracens returned to the top of the Guinness Premiership after battling to a 25-20 win over Worcester Warriors at Wembley Stadium this afternoon.
Brendan Venter’s side had plenty of problems against Worcester and efforts from Tom Wood and a penalty try left them with an uphill struggle. But despite being down to 14 men, after Carlos Nieto was sinbinned, a try from Neil de Kock helped them return to form and maintain their winning record at Wembley.
The Men in Black recalled England Saxons players Alex Goode, Brad Barritt and Andy Saull to the side. De Kock made his first start for three months, since their last match at Wembley against South Africa, after recovering from an ankle injury.
The visitors were awarded a penalty for offside in the second minute and Willie Walker kicked the Warriors into an early lead. Sarries almost paid the penalty for Glen Jackson’s clearance which was charged down but they avoided conceding the opening try when the move broke down.
Saracens’ sluggish start continued when they gave away another penalty which Walker fired over to extend the Warriors’ lead. But Sarries got themselves on the scoreboard when Jackson booted over a penalty via the post.
The Men in Black produced their first real attack of the game with powerful runs by Schalk Brits and Barritt. The move led to a penalty in their favour for offside and Jackson kicked the three points to bring them level with Worcester.
Sarries had the chance to take the lead after 20 minutes but Jackson’s drop goal attempt never had the power to reach the posts.
Worcester regained the lead in the 26th minute when they took advantage of a careless mistake by Saracens. The hosts were forced to defend their own lineout on the five-metre line and, after almost losing possession, De Kock’s kick was charged down by Kai Horstmann and Wood pounced to touch the ball down. Walker’s conversion gave the Warriors a deserved 13-6 advantage.
Another Jackson penalty for Saracens brought them back to within four points of Mike Ruddock’s team heading into half-time.
Saracens immediately narrowed the deficit at the start of the second half as Jackson drilled over his fourth penalty of the game. The Warriors should have scored their second try of the match but Miles Benjamin was denied by superb last-ditch defending by Saracens.
The Men in Black suffered a major setback after 47 minutes when replacement prop Nieto was shown the yellow card for the third scrum offence. Saracens pulled up the following scrum and referee Dave Pearson decided to award the visitors the penalty try. Walker added the conversion leaving Saracens with an uphill task to avoid another defeat.
At least Jackson was on form with the boot as he kept his team within striking distance as they added another penalty.
Playing with 14 men did not seem to be a problem as a superb attack created by Goode set up a try for Saracens. The full back chased his own high kick and offloaded to Chris Wyles. The American international stumbled but still managed to release De Kock for the finish underneath the posts. Jackson kicked the conversion and Sarries were in front against all the odds.
Italian Nieto’s match came to a premature end after 64 minutes when he was stretched off the pitch with Richard Skuse returning to the action.
Saracens were gifted another penalty with nine minutes remaining and Jackson stretched their lead to five points.
The Men in Black came under pressure in the last three minutes when Worcester had a lineout on the five-metre line but Saracens turned over the ball. To add to the visitors’ frustration Greg Rawlinson was shown the yellow card.
Jackson had one last chance with a penalty but his kick missed the target as Saracens completed a hard-fought victory over the Warriors.
Saracens: Goode, Tagicakibau, Ratuvou, Barritt, Wyles, Jackson, De Kock (Marshall, 64); Lealamanua (Gill, HT), Brits, Skuse (Nieto, HT), Smith, Ryder (Botha, 51), Van Heerden (Burger, 58), Saull, Joubert
Worcester Warriors: Latham, Pennell (Gear, 72), Rasmussen, Tuitupou, Benjamin, Walker (Jones, 72), Arr (Powell, 72); Black, Fortey, Taumoepeau (Sourgens, 69), Rawlinson, Gillies, Wood, Sanderson, Horstmann
Scoring: 0-3, 0-6, 3-6, 6-6, 6-11, 6-13, 9-13 HT 12-13, 12-18, 12-20, 15-20, 20-20, 22-20, 25-20
Referee: Dave Pearson
Attendance: 40,163
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