Saracens defeated an injury-hit Bristol Bears side to push themselves up the highly contested Prem table.
Saracens started better and broke the deadlock with a lovely try finished off by returnee Noah Calouri, back after wrist surgery. Owen Farrell also returned to the starting 15 and put the home team up by eight with a penalty.
Second rower Olamide Sodeke was then sent to the bin for a high tackle, but that didn’t affect Saracens, who pushed themselves further ahead with another penalty.
Bristol had looked toothless in attack through the first 25 minutes, and that would have to change if they wanted to be the only team left in the Prem with an unbeaten record.
But it wasn’t to be for the Bears in the rest of the first half, as Saracens headed into half-time with an 11-0 lead.
SARACENS 11-0 BRISTOL BEARS
No points in the first half, but Bristol came out fighting. Harry Randall excellently found a gap off the blindside of a ruck and touched down. Saracens would reply with one back through replacement Alex O’Driscoll to keep the distance at 11 points just minutes later, however.
Bristol’s day went from bad to worse after a yellow card to Lovejoy Chawatama gave Saracens a penalty try, and all but closed the door on a Bristol away win.
The bonus point try was then scored by Jack Bracken and the home side in what can only be described as ‘vintage Saracens’. Every single back was included, scoring off a one-phase attacking play which was over 60 metres.
That was all she wrote for the rest of the game, as Saracens would see this comfortable victory to the end.
Director of Bristol rugby Pat Lam said: “We missed so many chances. In the first half, our first two lineout plays we created the space and turned the ball over.
“All in all frustrated but pleased with the mindset of the players.”
Saracens Head coach Joe Shaw said: “We defended brilliantly and our set-piece was very good, and players stepped up.
“It’s a step in the right direction.”
SARACENS: 30
TRIES: 4 (Calouri 5’, O’Driscoll 51’, Penalty Try 61’, J.Bracken 64’) CONVERSIONS: 1 (Farrell 52’) PENALTIES: 2 (Farrell 10’, 25’) DROP GOALS: 0 YELLOW CARDS: 1 (Sodeke 15’) RED CARDS: 0
BRISTOL BEARS: 7
TRIES: 1 (Randall 47’) CONVERSIONS: 1 (Williams 48’) PENALTIES: 0 DROP GOALS: 0 YELLOW CARDS: 1 (Chawatama 61’) RED CARDS: 0
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: MARO ITOJE
The England and Saracens captain was all over the pitch today, commanding this very dominant pack against Bristol. The pack was a young one, and he expertly helped the young guns through the game with his extremely high rugby IQ.
BIGGEST UNDERPERFORMERS: THE BRISTOL BACKS
I felt that I couldn’t just pick one Bristol player. The attack seemed toothless most of the time for the visitors, and it never felt like they were going to score before a brief bit of Harry Randall magic.
It doesn’t help that they’re missing big names such as AJ MacGinty and Benhard Janse van Rensburg, but they could’ve put in a better effort against a Saracens back line that was on fire today.
ONE TO WATCH: JACK BRACKEN
One of two Brackens playing today, Jack was superb across all areas of his game. He was excellent under Farrell’s and his brother’s high balls and topped it off with a superb Saracens try.
He’s one for the future as he’s only 20, but while all the eyes will be on the opposite winger Noah Calouri, he could quietly play himself into an England position.
PLAYER RATINGS:
SARACENS STARTING XV
15. Max Malins: 6
14. Noah Calouri: 8
13. Lucio Cinti: 6
12. Sione Va’eneku: 7
11. Jack Bracken: 8
10. Owen Farrell: 6
9. Charlie Bracken: 5
1. Phil Brantingham: 6
2. Jamie George: 5
3. Alec Clarey: 6
4. Olamide Sodeke: 5
5. George Martin: 6
6. Maro Itoje (Captain): 8
7. Toby Knight: 7
8. Ben Earl: 6
REPLACEMENTS
16. Eoghan Clarke: 6
17. Alex O’Driscoll: 7
18. Cornie Weilbach: 6
19. Nick Isiekewe: 6
20. Andy Onyeama-Christie: 6
21. Tomos Williams: 6
22. Fergus Burke: 5
23. Angus Hall: 6
BRISTOL BEARS STARTING XV
15. Tobi Wilson: 5
14. Louis Rees-Zammit: 5
13. Max Clark: 5
12. James Williams: 5
11. Aidan Boshoff: 5
10. Sam Worsley: 4
9. Harry Randall (Captain): 6
1. Jake Woolmore: 6
2. Gabriel Oghre: 5
3. George Kloska: 6
4. Harry Wells: 5
5. Joe Batley: 5
6. George Taylor: 3
7. Luka Ivanishvili: 5
8. Benjamin Grondona: 5
REPLACEMENTS
16. Tomas Gwilliam: 5
17. Lovejoy Chawatama: 4
18. Jimmy Halliwell: 5
19. Joe Owe: 5
20. Fitz Harding: 6
21. Kieran Marmion: 5
22. Jack Bates: 5
23. Gabriel Ibitoye: 5
5 TALKING POINTS FROM THE GAME
Calouri and Bracken: Future England partnership?
The two young wingers were excellent for the winning side today, and head coach Joe Shaw had so much praise for them.
“Why can’t they? (when asked if they could be the wing pair for England).
“They’re both bright stars, aren’t they, and both score tries for fun.”
Both have tons of electrifying pace and a big frame.
England do have wings in plenty however, but one to think about for Steve Borthwick.
Farrell back
It’s been two weeks out for Owen Farrell this season, but he controlled the game today from the fly-half position.
Many constantly talk about the young players coming through the North London club, as I have done, but people often forget that many of the backbone who won so many trophies are still there.
Bristol to lick their wounds
Bristol were very poor today; both forwards and backs were outfought by their opponents.
Pat Lam highlighted the number of injuries they had, but he and many Bristol fans would’ve liked to see more from their players.
Max Malins 100 Saracens caps
Full back Malins hit 100 caps for Saracens today, after starting his first nine years ago.
Head coach Joe Shaw mentioned that all the boys wanted to play for him today, and he will be pleased to hit that milestone and secure a solid win out on the StoneX pitch.
This Prem is anyone’s
After Bristol lost, every team has now lost at least once in their first three Prem games. There has been no stand-out team so far, with many of the games a thrilling watch.
The top people at Prem HQ must be absolutely delighted at how competitive the league is.
