European Challenge Cup: Saracens 45-24 London Irish - Sarries' last 16 hopes still alive
- Published
Elliot Daly crossed for Saracens' fourth try to secure them the bonus point before half-time
European Challenge Cup Pool C |
|---|
Saracens (24) 45 |
Tries: Maitland, Lewington 2, Daly, Koch, Beaton, Mawi Cons: Manu Vunipola 5 |
London Irish (14) 24 |
Tries: Stokes, Redmond, Gonzalez, Arundell Cons: Jennings, Van Rensburg |
Saracens kept their hopes of a place in the European Challenge Cup last 16 alive with a bonus-point victory over neighbours London Irish.
Irish also claimed a try-bonus point in a thrilling match that finished 45-24.
The Exiles twice lead through James Stokes and Cillian Redmond's tries but Saracens turned on the style with four tries before half-time.
Alex Lewington scored a brace against his former club, as did Sean Maitland, with Elliot Daly also crossing.
Both sides scored late tries as Sarries added gloss to the scoreline in the second half to keep themselves in contention for the knockout stages in April.
The hosts scored three more after the interval through props Vincent Koch, Harvey Beaton and Eroni Mawi. Irish secured their try-bonus thanks to finishes from flanker Juan Martin Gonzalez and winger Henry Arundell.
The result moves Saracens up to third place in Pool C, level with Brive on six points ahead of their crunch meeting in April. Irish finish the group stage on 12 points after their four games and will definitely be in the last 16.
Saracens applied the early pressure in this third meeting of the two sides so far this season, but it was London Irish who struck first.
Full-back Stokes intercepted Dom Morris' loose pass near his own try-line before sprinting the length of the pitch to open the scoring.
Sarries hit back after just three minutes through Maitland, who raced to the corner after being put through by the impressive Daly.
Winger Redmond, a late replacement for new Scotland call-up Kyle Rowe, then did well to hold on to Ollie Hassell-Collins' pass to dart through on the right for a second Exiles try.
Going 14-5 behind sparked Saracens into life as they twice raced through at blistering pace on the counter for Lewington to score on the left wing.
First England's Maro Itoje broke through the line to charge the ball forward, with Lewington finishing a nice move out by the left touchline.
Then it was Andy Christie's turn to drive upfield. Morris, making his 50th appearance for the club, found Lewington out wide to finish a sensational Saracens move and take the lead for the first time in the match.
Daly then found Maitland on the right as Saracens again broke with lightning speed before an inch-perfect kick split the defence and found the England international to claim Sarries' crucial fourth try.
Irish started the second half brightly and scored their third through Gonzalez to reduce the deficit to five points.
But Saracens again responded as their forwards drove towards the line and proved too powerful for the Irish defence, Koch applying the finish after substitute Mawi was stopped just short.
Academy graduate Beaton then charged through the middle for another try for Saracens before Arundell's excellent sprint down the left secured a stunning fourth for Irish, as well as the bonus point.
Mawi got his name on the scoresheet right at the death to make the scoreline more emphatic for Saracens.
Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall told BBC Radio London:
"It was a decent performance from us, we did a lot of things with the ball today.
"We responded really well to some set-backs that came our way.
On Elliot Daly's performance: "I thought he had many exciting moments today.
"He can play so many positions and today he stepped in at full back."
London Irish director of rugby Declan Kidney told BBC Radio London:
"Saracens played well, we knew they would do.
"We knew they were going to come at us. When you have soft moments, they're going to pick off points.
"We stuck at it and getting the bonus point at the end was just reward for the lads' effort."
Saracens: Daly; Maitland, Tompkins, Morris, Lewington; Manu Vunipola, Van Zyl; Mako Vunipola (capt), Woolstencroft, Koch, Itoje, Hunter-Hill, McFarland, Christie, B Vunipola.
Replacements: George, Mawi, Beaton, Venter, Reffell, De Haas, Lozowski, Harris.
London Irish: Stokes; Redmond, Cinti, Williams, Hassell-Collins; Jennings, White; Gigena, Cornish, Van der Merwe, Nott, Coleman (capt), Rogerson, Gonzalez, Cracknell.
Replacements: McElroy, Dell, Chawatama, Munga, Cooke, O'Sullivan, Van Rensburg, Arundell.
Referee: Adam Jones (Wal).