Tight battle: Brad Barritt runs into heavy traffic
Saracens took a giant step towards the Heineken Cup quarter-finals on Sunday with hard-fought 20-16 victory over Biarritz at Vicarage Road.
The result means that Sarries need just a single point from their clash away to Teviso next weekend to assure their qualification.
Saracens held a 14-6 lead at half time courtesy of three Owen Farrell penalties and a well-taken try from young scrum-half Ben Spencer.
The hosts were well and truly on top in the opening half as they built off the platform of a dominant scrum.
But Biarritz came back strongly in the second period with scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili scoring on the hour-mark to set up a nail-biting last quarter.
Yachvili opened the scoring for the visitors after ten minutes before trading penalties with Farrell to leave Biarritz 6-3 ahead nearing the end of the first quarter.
But Saracens moved ahead when Farrell hacked a loose ball ahead and David Strettle used his pace to set up a try for Spencer, whose snipping run saw him dive over in the corner.
Farrell missed the conversion but landed two more penalties to give the hosts an eight-point advantage at the break.
The Basques were first to score in the second half however when Yachvili charged down replacement scrum-half Peter Stringer and then added the conversion to his try to narrow the gap to a single point.
Farrell held his nerve to land another three-pointer for the home side only to see Yachvili reply to leave the scores at 17-16 with eleven minutes to play.
Biarritz pushed hard but Farrell would have the last laugh, landing his fifth penalty in the 78th minute to hand Saracens victory.
more to follow...
The scorers:
For Saracens:
Try: Spencer
Pens: Farrell 5
For Biarritz:
Try: Yachvili
Con: Yachvili
Pens: Yachvili 3
Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 David Strettle, 13 Owen Farrell, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Chris Wyles, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Ben Spencer, 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Andy Saull, 6 Kelly Brown, 5 Mouritz Botha, 4 Steve Borthwick, 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 John Smit, 1 Rhys Gill.
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Petrus du Plessis, 18 Matt Stevens, 19 George Kruis, 20 Jackson Wray, 21 Peter Stringer, 22 Adam Powell, 23 James Short.
Biarritz Olympique: 15 Iain Balshaw, 14 Taku Ngwenya, 13 Charles Gimenez, 12 Damien Traille, 11 Ilikena Bolakoro, 10 Marcelo Bosch, 9 Dimitri Yachvili, 8 Florian Faure, 7 Benoit Guyot, 6 Wenceslas Lauret, 5 Pelu Taele, 4 Jérôme Thion, 3 Francisco Gomez Kodela, 2 Romain Terrain, 1 Fabien Barcella.
Replacements: 16 Arnaud Heguy, 17 Sylvain Marconnet, 18 Eusebio Guinazu, 19 Manuel Carizza, 20 Jean-Baptiste Roidot, 21 Julien Peyrelongue, 22 Benoît Baby, 23 Dane Haylett-Petty.
Venue: Vicarage Road, Watford
Referee: George Clancy
Comments
makemehappy says...
I also thought Clancy changing his mind about the advantage being over, as Biarritz intercepted the ball was impressive! Another crap decision by him!
I also wonder (like pantreac) have to question some of the decisions from a betting perspective. The number of decisions that are hopelessly wrong (to the extent that they couldn't possibly be made) is very worrying.
Posted 13:27 16th January 2012
pantreac says...
The standard of refereeing is getting worse, or is it because they are biased against some sides and are perhaps following their own agenda. Why didn't Clancy penalise the Saracens player that went blatently over the top in front of his own posts, not only should a penalty been given but also a yellow card? Also why wasn't Smit yellow carded for his vicious and dangerous near decapitation of a Biarritz player? There were so many decisions against Biarritz when (1) there was nothing wrong and (2) when it was Saracens who should have been penalised! Unfortunately Owens display was just as bad, gave up counting when he reached 12 wrong decisions against Leinster, For instance Kearney momentarliy stopped got up and continued running but Owen penalised him for holding on in the tackle, what tackle? Even the commentator remarked on this! It is not because these refs are not aware of the Laws of rugby! There is something very sinister going on. Cricket appears to be sorting its self out, its about time rugby takes action. Will these two refs be bought to book over their performances? When will this disgraceful one sided refereeing be examined. All of the main Bookies operate betting on these games and it seems to me that some of this results and performances should be examined!
Posted 11:21 16th January 2012
Dafydd29 says...
One of the most biased reffing jobs of recent history. We all know most Irish referees can be blind when they want to but I hadn't realised Clancy also has a South African passport.
Posted 06:46 16th January 2012
Rosbif says...
As a neutral, I couldn't help feeling that Biarritz's two strengths, the scrum and the rolling maul, were taken away from them by Clancy. Meanwhile, Sarries two strengths, line speed in defence (euphemism for off-side?) and slowing the ball at the breakdown, were helped by Clancy. Still, close game and entertaining to watch. Sarries a good team and deserve to go through. Just wld have liked to see a bit more from them through the hands when they had the ball. Game plan seemed based around kick-chase, territory, and hoping for pens from the ref
Posted 20:43 15th January 2012
froggy73 says...
Thank you Mr Clancy !
From the Saracens Team xx
Posted 20:21 15th January 2012
alanatleeds says...
I think you should give credit to Biarritz for a spirited performance - it was good to see Leeds old boy Iain Balshaw play his part - rather than castigate Saracens, who looked a little under-par, but you can't do much better than win, can you?
Posted 19:38 15th January 2012
damo says...
terrible game, have to say although I am Irish Clancy is the Northampton of Refereeing he can win or lose the game in his scrum interpretation, anyone think its time a quick video ref call at scrum time would help (in real time), also Clancy had the nerve to call the drop in the 1st half wide, if its proven wide its still a disgrace have it checked in the interest of fairness, if Sarries had a kick "over the post" he would have checked it!!!!
Sarries are a good outfit and deserve a 1/4 final spot good luck in the 1/4's. Felt sorry for Stringer a true Irish rover, should be with Connaught leading them through htis comp!
Posted 18:43 15th January 2012
liam2me says...
The best side in England struggling to beat Biarritz who are 3rd bottom of the top 14. This, no doubt, will keep the English rags dreaming that they can win the HEC this year. Sky already predicting a BP win for Northampton against Munster next weekend. Hilarious doesn't even come close to describing it.
Posted 17:24 15th January 2012