Late penalty try tips balance the way of Bristol in largely forgettable Saracens contest
Bristol moved second in the Gallagher Premiership after claiming a dramatic 16-12 victory over Saracens at Ashton Gate. A 77th-minute penalty try, awarded when Saracens captain and England hooker Jamie George illegally entered a ruck on Saracens’ line, meant Bristol triumphed.
George was also yellow-carded, and Bristol held on to clinch the win following a largely forgettable contest that saw more than 30 penalties awarded. Bristol’s major summer signings Semi Radradra and Kyle Sinckler had quiet debuts, and it looked as if Alex Goode, deputising at fly-half for Owen Farrell, had kicked Saracens home with four penalties.
Bristol also had to survive a late Saracens onslaught following their replacement prop Max Lahiff’s sin-binning. But they prevailed courtesy of three Callum Sheedy penalties and the seven-point penalty try, denying Saracens a 10th Premiership win before their relegation to the Championship next term.
The behind-closed-doors contest rarely lifted above the mediocre, but Bristol did just enough. Both teams showed their support for the Black Lives Matter movement before kick-off after clubs were given free rein to decide how they should mark the fight against racism.
Twelve of Saracens’ line-up chose to take a knee, with Billy Vunipola, Vincent Koch and Michael Rhodes remaining standing in respectful silence, while Bristol’s players formed themselves into a heart shape.
Try or no try…what do we think? ?
A very tight call against Bristol Bears – not in doubt is that spellbinding finish from Luke Morahan ???#RugbyRestart pic.twitter.com/dS1rUs3GA6
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) August 15, 2020
Saracens were rapidly out of the blocks, exerting pressure through the pinpoint kicking of scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth and taking a deserved lead through Goode’s eighth-minute penalty. Goode found his range again just two minutes later, this time from just inside Bristol’s half, to leave the home side 6-0 adrift.
Radradra barely had a touch during the opening quarter, such was Saracens’ technical excellence, but Bristol opened their account when Sheedy landed an angled 21st-minute penalty. And the home side drew level when Sheedy kicked a second penalty after Bristol launched a concerted attack through full-back Charles Piutau’s blistering pace.
The penalties continued to flow, though Goode missed a 25-metre chance and Saracens messed up an attacking lineout after kicking to the corner and hoping to shunt Bristol over their own line.
Errors also played their part as the rain swept across Ashton Gate, with a forgettable opening 40 minutes ending 6-6. Bristol boss Pat Lam made a half-time switch, sending on Ben Earl for his debut against the team he signed on loan from earlier this summer.
Earl replaced his fellow England international Nathan Hughes in the back row, and he was immediately involved as Bristol looked to increase the tempo following a stodgy first-half display. England prop Sinckler arrived in the 46th minute for a first Bristol run since he signed from Harlequins, and he immediately gained his team a scrum penalty, with Sheedy kicking the three points.
Bristol thought they had claimed the game’s opening try with 56 minutes gone after wing Luke Morahan applied a brilliant solo finish from 30 metres out. But referee Matt Carley and the television match official Claire Hodnett consulted at length before the score was ruled out for obstruction by Bristol hooker Harry Thacker on Maro Itoje that opened up a clear run for Morahan.
Saracens responded to that scare by establishing a foothold inside Bristol’s 22, and that pressure was rewarded with a fourth Goode penalty as the visitors edged back in front 16 minutes from time. But the drama was reserved for the dying minutes, with Bristol ultimately breathing a huge collective sigh of relief.
As happened in New Zealand when rugby returned in June, the referees have been busy this weekend in England… https://t.co/p2yebFBYaj
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 15, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
39 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
39 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
39 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
39 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
39 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
39 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
39 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments