Sarries2009 1stXV Match Report

Seniors 1st XV - Match Report (League Fixture)
(31/10/09) OPM 1stXV - Home (Won 76-7)

Here was a performance more reminiscent of last season than this with Sarries racking up 12 tries. Determined to improve on last week's lack lustre performance Sarries started with purpose in their play. Hooker Shane Padbury's initial drive was supplemented with a further drive by second row Dave Walter. Once the ball was released Sam Gooch smashed his way through the defence releasing Darren Light who straightened well to time his pass perfectly to supporting wing forward Ben Williams who opened the scoring.
Immediately from the kick off the forwards secured the loose ball to feed fly half Kieran Bromell. A clever chip ahead was eagerly chased by Darren Light who caused complete chaos in the visitor defence. After effectively turning the ball over again Light released Dean Chisling for the 2nd try of the game.
Sarries defence was then forced into action as OPMs threw everything at the home team through their lively number 8 and some strong close runs by their big forwards. However Sarries defence was well organised and no less determined, holding out for over 15 minutes of sustained pressure.
Having survived this period of pressure Sarries next attack came from a perfectly executed catch and drive from a lineout. Having made good ground, play was held up and scrum ensued. As was the case throughout the pack presented solid 'go forward' ball and fly half Kieran Bromell dummied well before scoring under the posts almost unchallenged. Full back Dean Chisling added the conversion.
The next play was a front row dream. The forwards collected the kick off cleanly and from the next phase Shane Padbury was able to cut inside after showing a similar dummy. Clear space was all that was in front of him and he easily made 30 metres before being tackled. However the immediate support came from the excellent prop Shaun Dudley who took the pass making a further 10 metres. Not to be outdone; and where was the back row at this stage? ; Keith Ballantyne the 3 rd member of this illustrious front row took the final if difficult pass in a flowing move that any three quarters would have been proud of. With good field position Matt Hilton at inside centre stepped his man and with outstanding pace ran in untouched. Chisling converted for the 2nd time.
Now confidence was high. Ben Croft suddenly sprang to life with planned move, he carved his way through the defence before unselfishly timing another good pass to supporting centre Sam Gooch who crossed for the next try. Chisling was on target again.
Darren Light then gathered a speculative kick ahead from OPMs. He found both space and support and after clean handling through Matt Abbott, Dean Chisling and Matt Hilton, a final pass put Sam Gooch in the clear again for his 2 nd try in five minutes. Chisling was on target once more.
The final try of the first half was a classic. The forwards combined well to set up a good platform and once again the three quarter handling was crisp and Darren Light needed little encouragement to turn his earlier play making qualities into that of a finisher to cross wide but round under the posts for Chisling to convert. A resounding 45-0 up at half time.

The challenge for the second half was to maintain the momentum as despite the impressive score, OPMs had shown several signs of being dangerous, especially around the fringes of the break downs.
And so it proved as OPMs came out with all guns blazing pinning Sarries in their 22 for almost ten minutes. However this seemed to take all of their energy and Sarries resumed their supremacy. The scrum continued to dominate and from one of these Matt hilton again stepped his man for a 50 metre untouched sprint to the line.
Dave Loman then replaced Shane Padbury on a rotational basis, Aled Gamble came on for his first senior appearance after free scoring exploits in the 2 nd team and Pete McGuigan replaced hard working Dave Lawry at number 8. Because of the combined training the changes were almost seamless with the Sarries forwards turning over yet another ruck. Again the interplay was crisp and this time scrum half Matt Abbott saw 22 metres of clear space in front of him. He had just enough pace to make it for a deserved try. Dean Chisling converted from the touch line.
From the restart the interplay resumed at a high intensity. This time Shaun Dudley made a fine break and with quick recycling and good hands Darren Light sped over for his second try. The extras were added by Chisling again.
Having been involved in the setting up of the previous three tries, it was fitting that Aled Gamble finished off a polished performance with a try of his own, where once again several players combined effectively to set up the chance.
The final Exeter try came from deep in their own half. Matt Hilton showed great strength to rip the ball from his opponent. A neat pass to Bromell was forwarded to Gamble who drew the last man and release winger Ben Croft for a 60 metre dash to score under the posts. Chisling converted for the eighth time.
Rather worryingly Matt Davies who had been at the basis of almost every breakdown hurt his ribs near the end of the match and was forced to retire, forcing Sarries to finish with a man down. OPMs capitalised on this with some typical driving at close quarters and this time they were rewarded with a driving maul try in the corner which they cleverly converted from the touchline. To be fair although only a minor consolation to them it was no less deserved as they were certainly not pushover that the score might otherwise suggest.

Selection promises to be interesting as Sam Williams, Rob Hilton, Bryan Logan, Dan Chalmers and Brendan Phennah will all be available again next week.

Sarries 2nd row Alex Moore loses control of the ball under pressure despite close support from Shaun Dudley and Dave Lawry

Sarries Alex Moore gets great height to win another lineout, ably lifted by Keith Ballantyne and Dave Lawry.

Exeter Saracens Centre Matt Hilton races in for his 2nd try of the afternoon without the need of support from replacement centre Aled Gamble, who scored shortly afterwards and winger Darren Light who had already grabbed a brace of tries for himself earlier in the game.

Sarries Ben Williams (6) and scrum half Matt Abbott direct the forward defence to repel another OPM driving maul.