Sarries2009 1stXV Match Report

Seniors 1st XV - Match Report (League Fixture)
(28/11/09) St Austell 1stXV - Away (Lost 16-10)

Exeter Saracens succumbed to only their second defeat in the Devon/Cornwall League in a hard fought encounter amidst torrential conditions. Preparation was far from ideal for the Exeter side as poor ground conditions at Exhibition Fields forced a reverse fixture with the Saracens having to travel to St Austell at late notice. The travelling side were still able to put out a strong team and with some fierce tackling led by Sam Williams in the early stages showed that they were eager to revive their season after three weeks of cancelled fixtures. Saracens started the match playing against a strong wind in the first half and found it hard to gain a territorial advantage with the majority of the first twenty minutes played deep in their own half. After some committed defence Saracens managed to work a set move down the blindside where the elusive Darren Light was able to beat his winger and streak towards the opposition line. With the defence covering back well, Light chipped ahead where the supporting Rob Hilton slid on to the bobbling ball to secure a 5 point lead for the Saracens.

A territorial kicking game resumed after the opening score and it was one in which Saracens were unlikely to come out top given the conditions. Despite further strong defence the Exeter side put themselves under pressure with some wayward kicking and a string of missed tackles allowed St Austell to bounce back with a try close to the posts. St Austell again worked their way in to the Saracens half and managed to come away with a further three points from a soft penalty, giving them an 8-5 lead going towards half time. Saracens rallied well and were determined to regain the ascendency before half time with a break through seeming imminent. The Exeter forwards were dominating the Cornish side's lineout and were able to exert some pressure on the home side forcing a penalty when St Austell were deemed to be killing the ball. Chisling stepped up to attempt the difficult penalty and unfortunately the swirling wind wasn't on his side. The sides rushed back to the shelter of the changing rooms at half time with Saracens trailing 5 points to 8.

With the wind now behind them the visiting side felt confident they could make their mark on the game but some poor decision making throughout the team put the pressure back on the Saracens and the home side were able to capitalise on some uncustomary weak tackling to cross the Exeter line again. With a 13 - 5 lead St Austell were able to rely even more on their strong territorial game and with Exeter Saracens becoming over eager to contend the breakdown a further three points put the home side 16-5 ahead. Exeter again responded well where the quick thinking debutant Aaron Brereton took a quick free kick and moved the ball on to captain Keiran Bromell who broke the first line of defence, the Saracens support flooded through and Bromell offloaded to Mat Hilton who burst through another gap drawing in two Cornish defenders before floating a speculative pass in to the arms of the racing Light who again beat his opposite number to bring Saracens right back into the game. Bromell made the bold decision to bring on fresh legs and the tactical substitutions paid off with all three replacements making a positive impact on the game. Similarly to the end of the first half Saracens were toiling hard for a final breakthrough with strong leadership from replacements Matt Abbott and Ben Cowley, however the winning score remained elusive and St Austell were elated to have secured such a hard fought win.

The effect of missed fixtures has certainly taken it's toll on the Exeter Saracens team with poor decision making, lack of structure and reduced match fitness all contributing to the result. The string of cancelled fixtures, along with Saturday's defeat sees the Exeter side slip from second to fourth in the league table with another difficult encounter away at Stithians anticipated next week.