Saracens bonus point win over the Gloucester Rugby ensures home ground Aviva Play off match
Saracens confirmed their spot in the plays of the Aviva Premiership after defeating the Gloucester Rugby at Vicarage Road, Watford.
Both teams were playing their 21st match in the premiership as Saracens secured their 17th win in the season; highest any team have achieved in the Aviva Premiership 2010/11. Weekend clash on April 24, 2011 has also earned Saracens
their home semi final.
This is the Saracens ninth consecutive victory in the Premiership and the weekend’s win will definitely give them the confidence during the play offs.
Sarries started the match as favourite particularly considering the fact the Gloucester’s was missing their few important players and the fact that Sarries were playing against the tired Gloucester unit who were playing their third game in eight days.
Sarries started the match strongly as they enjoyed unparallel ball possession during the 1st twenty minutes of the game. However, the Gloucester Rugby’s defended off the uni-dimensional Sarries defence.
Sarries were first to score in the match courtesy of a move by their two Wingers James Short and David Strettle that ended in a try scored by Sarries Hooker Schalk Brits. Sarries Full Back Alex Goode’s conversion put them into seven points lead during the
21st minute of the game.
During the 29th minute, Sarries Number 8 Ernst Joubert teamed up with Joubert crossing over the Gloucester’s try line to score their second try in the game. After four minutes, Gloucester put up their first points on the board with their Winger
James Simpson Daniel scored a try to end a move that included Tom Voyce and Charlie Sharples. Goode’s penalty during the last minute of the first half took the scorecard reading 15 – 5.
Sarries with 10 points lead carried their first half momentum into the second half and extended their lead in just 4 minutes of the second half. Sarries Prop Matt Stevens scored a try followed by Goode’s conversion taking the scorecard reading 22 – 5. Goode
scored penalties during the 49th and 55th minute to take the scorecard reading 28 – 5.
Gloucester’s capitalized on the rare Sarries error in the match as their Centre Henry Trinder scored a try during the 64th minute. Substituted Fly Half Ryan Mills scored the conversion to reduce the lead to 16 points.
Sarries Winger David Strettle scored the fourth try just two minute before the match to secure their bonus point. This was followed by Goode’s conversion to take the scorecard reading 35 – 12 that remained unchanged until the end of the second half.
Saracens have won more line outs this year than any other team but also need to play full 80 minutes of the game with consistency to make to the finals of the premiership during the next month. In between Saracens will take up the Harlequins in about 12
days time.
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