Saracens (13) 16
Tries: Rauluni Cons: Jackson Pens: Jackson 3 London Irish (10) 13
Tries: Danaher Cons: Geraghty Pens: Hewat 2
 Saracens youngster Noah Cato (right) holds off Topsy Ojo of London Irish |
Saracens halted Premiership leaders London Irish's 10-match winning run in a hard-fought encounter in front of more than 16,000 at Vicarage Road. Glen Jackson opened the scoring with a penalty before Declan Danaher's converted try gave the Exiles the lead. Both sides added a penalty but Saracens took a 13-10 lead into the break after Moses Rauluni sniped over. The second half was even tighter, with Jackson and Peter Hewat kicking a penalty apiece as Sarries held on. London Irish left with a losing bonus point for finishing within seven points of the hosts but Bath's subsequent victory at home to Northampton means they have been knocked off the top of the table. Six of London Irish's 10 consecutive wins had come in the European Challenge Cup and the EDF Energy Cup, but they were the form team in the Premiership and it took a huge physical effort from Saracens to keep the Exiles in check. The opening quarter was heavily influenced by the usually reliable boot of Saracens number 10 Jackson.  | 606: DEBATE |
His pin-point kicking kept the Exiles pinned in their own 22 for the first 10 minutes and, after he had missed a simple penalty, he opened the scoring just before the 20-minute mark. However, when Saracens recycled the kick-off the New Zealander's clearance kick merely laid the groundwork for the opening try. London Irish winger Sailosi Tagicakibau fielded Jackson's kick inside his own half and attacked up the left, creating space for Hewat to escape down the flank. The Australian drew the last defender and fed inside to Danaher, who crossed close enough to the posts to make Shane Geraghty's conversion a formality. A rapid exchange of penalties between Jackson and Hewat saw the visitors lead 10-6 but the hosts then went back in front after attacking off a five metre scrum. The visitors managed to resist the first charge but when Saracens recycled possession it opened up for Rauluni and the Fijian scrum-half - a late replacement for Neil de Kock - ducked through one tackle before diving over in a second tackle to score. Jackson's conversion gave Saracens a 13-10 half-time lead and a penalty apiece from Hewat and Jackson - who also each missed one - meant there was still just three points between the sides entering the last quarter. The visitors introduced former England centre Mike Catt at fly-half, with Geraghty shifting to inside centre, on the hour mark. The 37-year-old's promptings helped the Exiles earn a late penalty but Hewat pushed it wide from near the left touchline and Saracens held out to boost their play-off hopes.
London Irish boss Toby Booth: "We are not in a happy place at the moment, to be honest. "We contributed to our own downfall, it's very disappointing. The Premiership is a very competitive place, if you are beaten by a better side you can put your hands up. "Sarries were very, very good in certain aspects, they bullied us at the contact area. We couldn't get any rhythm or control."
Saracens: Goode; Ratuvou, Sorrell, Powell, Cato; Jackson, Rauluni; Lloyd, Ongaro, Johnston, Borthwick, Jack, van Heerden, Saull, Owen. Replacements: A Farrell for Powell (74), Visagie for Johnston (74), Skirving for Saull (72). Not Used: Kyriacou, Vyvyan, Wilson, Penney. London Irish: Hewat; Ojo, Seveali'i, Mapusua, Tagicakibau; Geraghty, Hodgson; Dermody, Paice, Lea'aetoa, Hudson, Casey, Danaher, S Armitage, Hala'ufia. Replacements: Catt for Tagicakibau (60), Lalanne for Hodgson (72), D. Murphy for Dermody (63), Coetzee for Paice (62), Corbisiero for Lea'aetoa (53), Roche for Hudson (60), Thorpe for Hala'ufia (74). Att: 16,082 Ref: Chris White (RFU).
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