Sarries2009 1stXV Match Report

Seniors 1st XV - Match Report (League Fixture)
(10/10/09) Wellington 1stXV - Home (Lost 15-32)

Exeter Saracens fine start to the season continued despite recording their first defeat of this campaign. Both sides tried to play expansive rugby although for the first time this season, Sarries were faced with a side with equal pace and strength throughout the team.
Unfortunately the match was decided on a couple of mistakes and minor decision making skills both on and off the pitch.

Sarries were quickest out of the blocks playing the opening forays in Wellington territory. Alex Moore won a clean lineout just outside the visitors 22 and a quick transfer from Matt Abbott to Kieran Bromell allowed time for Ben Croft to time his run perfectly from the left wing in a planned move to slice open the visitor's defence. His strong run made it to within 5 metres of the line where he unselfishly timed a perfect pass to supporting centre Sam Gooch to beat the full back and score under the posts. Dean Chisling calmly added the conversion.
Wellington regrouped and forced Sarries into a series of penalties and after missing one shot at goal, the Saracens defence elected to kick the ball from behind their own posts rather than accept the 22 drop out. The ensuing lineout inside the Sarries 22 was won cleanly and the Wellington forwards drove ferociously before scoring in the corner to reduce the lead to 7-5.
Only five minutes later the Wellington fly half made a clean break himself before offloading to a supporting centre to take the lead by 12-5 with the conversion added.
Play continued to be both enterprising and entertaining with both sides looking to press a clear advantage but despite some strong running by Matt Hilton and Sam Williams the only additional score was a sweetly struck penalty by Dean Chisling to make the half time score 10-15 in the visitors favour.

Sarries continued to win their share of possession despite the Wellington pack being much larger. The three quarters continued to throw the ball around but were unlucky when a dropped pass was hacked through and stopped only inches from the dead ball line allowing Wellington to extend their lead by a further seven points.
After another penalty Brendan Phennah replaced Dean Chisling at full back and Ben Williams came on for the unlucky Alex Moore in an attempt to change the impetus. The tactical error which director of rugby and touch judge readily admits was his mistake was not to have brought Shaun Dudley on in the front row at the same time. Upon reflection and hindsight Brian also thinks he might have made better use of Ben's talents by making a different replacement tactical choice more in line with the referee' interpretation at the breakdown.
However the changes were positive and Sarries made good use of their next possession. This time the handling was very crisp and after fine handling by Bromell, Matt Hilton and Brendan Phennah, Sam Gooch again found himself in space to crash over for his second try.
Rather disappointingly in the dying moments of the match, another three quarter move was perhaps a little too forced and again the spilled ball was hacked on for Wellington to score their final try and conversion of the match.

In summary the team can take pride in the way they played and whilst this was disappointing on the day should not detract from the serious progress and improvements that the squad has made. Collectively I am sure that we will have learnt from this match and will bounce back positively for next week's visit to Hayle.