Paris revenge for Sarries
Saracens finally claimed a win in Pool Two at the fourth attempt with a 19-14 victory at Racing Metro.
Last Updated: 17/12/10 10:21pm
Saracens finally claimed a win in Pool Two at the fourth attempt, although their 19-14 victory at Racing Metro restored pride more than hopes of a late run into the quarter-finals.
Teenager Owen Farrell played a starring role for the visitors, kicking three penalties, a drop-goal and a conversion while also setting up Brad Barritt's first-half try.
Racing trailed 16-0 at the break but launched a stirring fightback in the second half as they sought to inflict back-to-back defeats on Sarries.
But it was the Londoners who held on as the snow came down, avenging last week's 24-21 defeat at Vicarage Road.
Saracens started brightly amid the semi-blizzard conditions in Paris and immediately won a penalty, only for fly-half Farrell to hit the inside of the post.
They won a subsequent scrum from a Racing knock-on and when the hosts were caught offside at the breakdown, Farrell slotted the fourth-minute penalty.
Next time Saracens managed a foray into the oppositions' half they also came away with points, as Farrell capitalised on some scrappy play with a neat dop-goal.
David Strettle crossed in the 20th minute after a well-worked handling move down the right, but the television match official ruled he had a foot in touch.
Sarries finally got the try their attacking play deserved when Barritt forced his way over in the 35th minute.
Creator
Farrell was the creator as he capitalised on more sloppy Racing play to set up Barritt to cross, before adding the extras to make it 13-0.
The visitors' night got even better as Farrell was given another penalty chance which he duly took, to stretch the lead to 16-0 at the break.
Racing clawed their way back into the contest in the 47th minute as Farrell was caught in possession, Neil De Kock's clearance was charged down and Mirco Bergamasco was able to cross.
Jonathan Wisniewski converted well from wide on the left to make it 16-7.
The visitors' lead was further cut moments later as Racing took a quick penalty and Nicolas Durand went over and Wisniewski converted.
The French side were in the ascendancy now but Sarries held on grimly in the sleet and wind, then wrapped up a morale-boosting victory through Farrell's last-minute penalty.
