At the end of the worst week in Saracens history; There was a small matter of playing a London derby against rivals Harlequins.
This was Saracens first game since relegation to the Championship was confirmed. Harlequins thrashing the visitors at the Stoop 41-14. Scoring 6 tries in a thumping victory.
Recent weeks have been filled with talk on the salary cap scandal and now with it all coming to a head. Saracens could concentrate on playing rugby; The start of 14 meaningless games before they start life in the Championship. A London derby against fierce rivals Harlequins is always a bit spicy but this match had that added spice. Harlequins were hoping to rub salt into those sore Saracens wounds. However Sarries often play their best rugby when their backs are against the wall.
With or without “Salary-Cap Gate”, Quins love a home game against Saracens; Winning 3 of the last 4 encounters and they enjoyed every minute of this occasion! With only 22 minutes on the board, Harlequins had scored their third try with no reply.
The first, a perfectly executed set piece lineout straight off the training ground. Elia Elia threw a long throw to the back of the lineout to Alex Dombrandt who then passed inside to Danny Care. Care passed it back to big number 8 before a fantastic offload; Out the back of the hand from Dombrandt helped Care go down in the corner.
Young fly-half Marcus Smith could have been forgiven for being aggrieved for not making the England squad for the Six Nations; However England’s loss was Quins gain as his excellent cross field kick found Elia Elia on the wing. A couple of offloads led Cadan Murley into the same corner as the 1st for the second try – Quins were on fire.
Marcus Smith’s On Fire
Fly-Half Smith had big hand in the 3rd, He collected a clearance kick deep into his own half before an audacious show and go sent three Saracens defenders the wrong way. Smith took advantage by sprinting past on the outside before passing inside to Lasike. Lasike then passed to Murley on the outside who ran in for his second try; Harlequins Third.
A depleted Saracens side due to international call ups were whimpering and struggling to get a foothold in the game. This Sarries 15 could make up the backbone of their team in the Championship next year; However it was evident that this long emotional week had taken its toll. Saracens were finally on the scoreboard on the half hour mark with Lozowski crashing in under the posts. Vunipola converted but Harlequins went in at half time with a healthy lead.
The heavens opened and conditions worsened during the interval and things got much worse for Saracens soon after the restart; Ibitoye chased after a grubber kick by the impressive Smith alongside full back Matt Gallagher. they both collided with each other and the ball ended up in Ibitoyes hands who slid over to extend the lead.
As the weather worsened, so did things for Saracens. Harlequins were relentless; Elia Elia broke off the back of a maul five metres from the line and passed to the impressive Lasike who went over for Harlequins fifth try with ease. Lasike was a constant threat with his straight runs bulldozing anyone that was in his way. Dom Morris got one back for Saracens which was converted by youngster Vunipola but defending domestic and european champions were a shadow of their former selves.
Their performance was summed up in the last 5 minutes when replacement winger Elliott Obatoyinbo threw a wild pass into the hands of the onrushing Martin Landajo who ran in unopposed for Quins final try – Smith converted and Quins went past the 40 point mark.
“The Stoop Was Bouncing”
By the end the Stoop was bouncing, The loudest I have heard it in years; Fans had seen their team tear apart their bitter rivals in what will be the last London derby between the two at the Stoop for at least a season. The Saracens players couldn’t get off the pitch fast enough, many wishing the ground would swallow them up; The reality is that it couldn’t of got much worse on the pitch for Saracens. Off it, It will definitely get a lot worse before it gets better; Their squad full of quality internationals will be broken up and what will happen in their final 13 meaningless league games? Is the Harlequins result a sign of things to come?
Harlequins from 1 to 15 were excellent. Dombrandt showing Eddie Jones why he should be in the England squad. Marcus Smith ran circles round the whole of the Saracens team and his game management is improving game on game; He surely isn’t too far away from an England call up. Paul Lasike was at his destructive best on sunday as he is certainly making the most of his opportunity because of the number of injuries they have at centre.
On the whole this season Harlequins have been inconsistent and are rightly mid table however could this performance be the catalyst to a top 4 finish?
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