Francois Hougaard could not have dreamt up a better Saracens debut, as he marked the occasion with an 80th minute match-winning try against Bristol Bears. In a top versus bottom of the table clash, Saracens secured the win by the tightest of margins, thanks to their brand new South African scrum-half.
The Stone X stadium erupted after Hougaard’s try, as Saracens looked down and out just moments before. Nine points down with 10 minutes remaining, Saracens fought back valiantly, scoring back-to-back tries through Rotimi Segun and Hougaard.
A final push for the line in the 80th minute, came from a well orchestrated line-out, before Sarries set their forwards into short carrying phases. The men in black then opted to go wide, and Alex Goode’s carry drew Bristol’s defenders in off the wing. Goode then shipped the ball to the debutant, who’s try sent the Saracens fans into a frenzy.
Mark McCall has been delighted with Hougaard since his arrival. “He’s Hollywood isn’t he, I’m not surprised! What I’ve been incredibly impressed with Francois is, I think he’s got 40 caps for South Africa, and he hasn’t got close to our team in the six weeks that he’s been here. He hasn’t complained, and he’s been unbelievable at training. He takes younger players for extra sessions, so he’s been incredible, so he really deserved to get an opportunity today, and I’m really pleased for him”
Saracens had to wait until the second half before they marked points on the scoreboard. A first 40 minutes dominated by Bristol, established an 0-8 lead at the break. AJ MacGinty started the Bears off, with a well-struck penalty after 12 minutes. A stalemate shortly ensued, with both sides unable to break through their opposing defensive lines, for the majority of the first half.
Bristol had a try disallowed, with Semi Radradra frustrated after his impressive solo finish was pulled back. The centre stepped past Aled Davies, and outmuscled the tackle attempt of Alex Goode to score in the corner. The TMO reviewed the early play, and ruled out the score for an earlier forward pass. Hooker Harry Thacker was the sole try-scorer of the first half, as he grounded a rolling maul after 37 minutes. AJ MacGinty failed to convert the extras
The second half commenced, and three penalties kept the scoreboard ticking over. Alex Goode got Saracens off the mark, and a brace from Shane Williams included an outstanding strike from just inside the half way line. Saracens started their comeback through hooker Theo Dan. The young front-rower forced the rolling maul over the Bears defensive line.
Bristol edged further in-front with the clock ticking down, through winger Gabriel Ibitoye. After consistent short drives Andy Uren shipped the ball wide to Ibitoye, who’s 71st minute score spelled potential disaster for Saracens.
Yet once again a Premiership club learned to never count out Saracens. An outrageous piece of skill by Alex Goode distributed the ball to Rotimi Segun, who broke away along the right wing to score with three minutes remaining. Goode missed the following conversion, yet made up for it with his assist for Hougaard’s last-ditch try, and completed a memorable comeback.
Saracens 20 – 19 Bristol Bears : Five Stand Out Players
- Alex Goode
With Elliot Daley’s injury woes proving worse than expected, Saracens look to Alex Goode for the forseeable future at full-back. The 34-year-old put in a shining performance for Saracens, producing audacious skill in the run up to their back-to-back comeback tries in the final minutes.
Mark McCall said: “What a class player. These are two players (Goode and Wray) who have played the most for the club in the modern era. What a player he is, he sees things before everybody else, and when you need to be calm and composed, to execute in big pressure situations he’s the guy to do it.”
2. Billy Vunipola
Billy looked back to his best today at the Stone X, carrying with intensity for the duration. With added fire ignited through being left out of Steve Borthwick’s Six Nations squad, Vunipola reminded onlookers of his power in attack and defnese. Cries of ‘Go on Billy!’ rang throughout the Stone X, as Vunipola returned many a kick, by running straight into the Bristol Bears defensive line. It took multiple players to bring the number eight to ground, and each player felt the impact of every Vunipola carry.
McCall was very impressed by Vunipola:
“One of our most experienced players, Billy Vunipola, led the charge to be honest. In the last 20 minutes I thought that he stepped up enormously. He carried incredibly, got us into the gain-line, making them (Bristol) make a lot of difficult tackles, and people started to follow. Hugh Tizard started to follow, and Kapeli Pifeleti started to follow, and so I thought that Billy was the one who ignited the change.”
3. Theo Dan
Making good on his opportunity in the first team, Theo Dan impressed at hooker today. Marking his call-up with a try, and powerful scrummaging throughout the game, Dan received a great ovation when he was substituted off. Jamie George was in attendance at the Stone X, and deservedly applauded the 22-year-old as he departed the pitch.
McCall said: “I thought he was superb, but KP (Kapeli Pifeleti) was as well who came off the bench. Two young players who are getting opportunities during international windows, is exactly why we like these periods of time.”
4. Harry Thacker
Impressing in the Bristol front row today, Harry Thacker stood out in the first half. Capitalising on overthrown Saracens line-outs, Thacker collected every loose ball that he could. The hooker impressed in attack, and even executed an audacious out-the-back offload, to Semi Radradra, with the centre exploding through a gap.
Contributing to the score-line with Bristol’s opening try, Thacker certainly threw his scrum cap in the ring for England recognition, with Jamie George’s concussion ruling him out of the start of the Six Nations. Here’s hoping that Thacker stays match-fit, after he was withdrawn at half time after an possible ankle injury. Overall, Thacker certainly impressed in his 40 minute window at the Stone X.
5. Jackson Wray
Making his 300th appearance today for Saracens, Jackson Wray captained his side to a memorable comeback victory. The flanker tackled well, chopping his way through the Bristol ball carriers. Wray handled the talented Bristol backs, and managed to silence the threats of Semi Radradra and Siva Naulago.
Mark McCall discussed Wray’s milestone match. “It was Jackson’s 300th game today. And Jackson’s played in four European Cup finals, six Premiership finals, and if you talked to him, some of the most satisfying games he’s ever played at the club have been during the international windows. When we’re seen as vulnerable, and we’re seen as understrength and weak.”
SARACENS: 20
Tries: 3 (Dan 59′, Segun 78′, Hougaard 80′)
Conversions 1 (Goode 59′)
Penalties 1 (Goode 53′)
15. Goode 14. Segun 13. Lozowski 12. Taylor 11. Lewington 10. Manu Vunipola 1. Hislop 2. Dan 3. Judge 4. Kitchener 5. Tizard 6. Christie 7. Wray 8. Billy Vunipola
16. Pifeleti 17. Mawi 18. Clarey 19. Boon 20. Ellis 21. van Zyl 22. Tompkins 23. Hougaard
BRISTOL BEARS : 19
Tries: 2 (Thacker 37′, Ibitoye 71′)
Conversions 0
Penalties 3 (MacGinty 12′, Williams 50′, 56′)
15. Lane 14. Naulago 13. Radrada 12. Williams 11. Ibitoye 10. MacGinty 9. Randall 1. Thomas 2. Thacker 3. Lahiff 4. Batley 5. Vui 6. Luatua 7. Heenan 8. Bradbury
16. Byrne 17. Woolmore 18. Benz-Salomon 19. Holmes 20. Harding 21. Uren 22. Sheedy 23. Bates