Sarries2009 U15s Match Report

U15's - Match Report (18/10/09)
Paignton - Away (Won 14-31)

Exeter Saracens recorded their first victory of the season in a hard fought contest against Paignton. Sarries got off to a blistering start when Theo Miller received the ball at outside centre. He chipped the ball over the onrushing defenders and as it ran into the in-goal area, he dived full length between two defenders to apply downward pressure for the opening try. Miller slotted the conversion to give the visitors an early 7 point lead. Saracens failed to capitalise on this early success and looked out of sorts for most of the first half. Paignton predominantly tried to bludgeon their way forward through their big pack. They had some success with this tactic and were aided by the Sarries' tendency to tackle too high. When the home side moved the ball wide they were quite predictable and made too many handling errors to gain any real momentum. Saracens didn't make the most of some good attacking opportunities with their forwards running across the field rather than using their pace to go forward. As a consequence the Sarries backs found that they regularly ran out of space on the narrow pitch. Both sides were comfortable on their own put-ins at the set scrums but Sarries held an advantage at the line outs where, in particular, Greg Willmington and Ryan Jenner competed strongly. Ed Williams at full back for Sarries looked secure taking any high kicks that Paignton attempted and his decision making as to when to run back or kick was excellent. Paignton levelled the scores midway through the half. They secured possession from a scrum just inside their own half and with the Sarries backs rushing up too quickly, their centre took advantage of a gap streak through. The conversion was successful. Paignton had chances to take the lead as the half progressed but a combination of handling errors and determined Sarries defending kept the scores level till the break.

After a stiff talking to, Sarries started the second half in a more positive fashion. They rucked more effectively as a unit and began to put the home side under more consistent pressure than they had managed in the first period. Sarries deservedly took the lead when the impressive Jenner showed great strength to burst through for his first try of the game which was duly converted. Again the visitors allowed the home side to level the scores. The Paignton number 8, who put in a fine individual performance throughout, picked up from the back of a scrum just outside the Sarries 22. He ran virtually unchallenged to score between the posts. Almost immediately, Sarries retook the lead. Paignton's backline were all offside at a scrum and when Sarries took a quick tap, the home side again used their hands illegally in a ruck. Scott Burgan again took a quick tap and fed Jenner who kept a low body position as he crossed the tryline. This finally seemed to give Sarries a boost in confidence and they took control of the remainder of the match. As a result, the home side began to repeatedly use their hands in the rucks and run offside despite the referee's constant reminders. Sarries used the resultant possession more effectively than in the first period by running straighter and offloading out of contact. After recycling the ball from a ruck, James Slater passed to Ollie Palmer who sidestepped his opposite number and drew a second defender before setting Miller clear wide on the left to score in the corner. The scoring was completed when Sarries were awarded a scrum 10 metres from the Paignton line. Shimi Wilson picked up from number 8 and broke on the blindside. The Paignton defenders failed to react and he put the ball down just to the right of the posts. The conversion made the final score Paignton 14, Saracens 31.