Biarritz trounce Saracens in their second match of Heineken Cup – Rugby Union News
Biarritz secured their first victory of the current Heineken Cup 2011-12, while thumping Saracens in their second outing of the tournament on November 19, at Biarritz. They were down earlier with an opening defeat and the recent win has picked the side up
for forthcoming matches. Imanol Harinordoquy and Takudzwa Ngwenya scored one try each for Biarritz. The winning side mainly worked on their defence and tackled many attacks of the rivals during second half to grab a much needed triumph. Both sides failed to
score anything in the first half.
It was Saracens who broke the long silence in the match with the help of Owen Farrell. The centre scored the first penalty goal of the match in the 51st minute. Later on, Harinordoquy, the flanker of Biarritz, boosted his side with a well executed
try and took back the command into their hands.
The match went on at a snail’s pace as nothing much was happening near the scoring lines. Most of the time was being spent in the mid-field or side lines. This was a testing match for the crowd, who had come to support their sides.
One more try and a penalty goal from put the home side in a comfortable position of 15-3 and they could smell the victory from this point. On the other hand, Saracens yet again failed to make a good impression in the tense moments. All their big guns remained
silent until the last minute try from reserve player Alex Goode. The try came at a point when there was nothing left for them in the match and they were forced to l**k their wounds with a meager total. However, good strike rate has saved them from a total
collapse and they are still on second spot at the point’s table among the other Pool 5 teams.
Biarritz Olympique : 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Taku Ngwenya, 13 Benoît Baby, 12 Damien Traille, 11 Iain Balshaw, 10 Marcelo Bosch, 9 Luix Roussarie, 8 Raphael Lakafia, 7 Imanol Harinordoquy, 6 Benoit Guyot, 5 Erik Lund, 4 Jérôme Thion, 3
Sylvain Marconnet, 2 Benoit August, 1 Fabien Barcella.
Replacements: 16 Arnaud Heguy, 17 Yvan Watremez, 18 Francisco Gomez Kodela, 19 Pelu Taele, 20 Florian Faure, 21 Yann Lesgourgues, 22 Julien Peyrelongue, 23 Ilikena Bolakoro.
Saracens: 15 Chris Wyles, 14 David Strettle, 13 Owen Farrell, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 James Short, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Ben Spencer, 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Jacques Burger, 6 Kelly Brown, 5 Hayden Smith, 4 Steve Borthwick, 3 Matt Stevens, 2 John
Smit, 1 Rhys Gill.
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Deon Carstens, 18 Carlos Nieto, 19 Mouritz Botha, 20 Andy Saull, 21 Luke Baldwin, 22 Adam Powell, 23 Alex Goode.
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