Saracens claim Wembley win
Saracens went top of Heineken Cup Pool Five, running in three tries during a 31-26 victory over the Ospreys at Wembley.
By Graeme Mair - Twitter: @gmair 1
Last Updated: 10/12/11 10:23pm
Saracens went top of Heineken Cup Pool Five with a 31-26 victory over the Ospreys at Wembley.
Tries from Rhys Gill, Ernst Joubert and Chris Wyles, combined with 16 points from Owen Farrell's boot, proved just enough for the Aviva Premiership side.
Ospreys centre Ashley Beck scored a try in each half and Dan Biggar kicked 16 points but it was not enough to save their unbeaten record in this year's competition, although they did at least pick up a losing bonus point.
The result puts Saracens three points above the Ospreys and Biarritz, who lost at Treviso earlier in the day, at the mid-point of the group.
Expansive
Saracens set the expansive tone on their opening attack, Hodgson's long pass in midfield released full-back Alex Goode who in turn found Wyles on the left wing. Wyles was dragged into touch just short but Sarries stole the subsequent five-metre lineout and, after a several phases banging at the door, hooker Gill barged over under the posts.
Farrell converted and then traded penalties with Biggar to give Saracens a 10-3 lead after 10 minutes.
The Ospreys responded with their opening try three minutes later. Tommy Bowe came inside from the right wing on a curving run and his offload deflected via Charlie Hodgson into Beck's lap for an unopposed run to the line.
And the breathless nature of proceedings continued as Saracens immediately responded. The Ospreys were penalised for a non-existent forward pass and from the subsequent scrum, Saracens No.8 Joubert picked up at the base and stepped out of Tom Smith's attempted tackle on his way over the whitewash.
Biggar reduced his side's deficit to 17-13 his second penalty in the 22nd minute but it was only a temporary reprieve.
Mouritz Botha touched down from close range after Saracens put together eight phases of attack, only for referee Pascal Gauzere to pull play back for an earlier infringement.
Farrell added a couple of penalties to open a 23-13 advantage at the break, while Ospreys lost skipper Smith to the sin-bin in the 36th minute after he entered a maul from the side.
Adventurous
Biggar slotted his third penalty early in the second half after Jacques Burger was off his feet at a ruck but Saracens continued to force the pace with ball in hand.
And that adventurous approach led to their third try in the 45th minute, Wyles benefiting from Schalk Brits inside ball to apply the finishing touch.
Gauzere awarded the score without reference upstairs despite replays being inconclusive as to whether Wyles actually touched the ball down and the French official was soon in the thick of the action once again, this time showing a yellow card to Farrell after his shoulder check prevented Biggar from chasing his own kick.
And the Ospreys took advantage of their extra man, exploiting an overlap for Beck to cross out on the right. Biggar's touchline conversion cut Saracens' lead to 28-23.
Among a raft of changes as the game entered the final quarter was a Saracens debut for Irish scrum-half Peter Stringer, on loan from Munster.
And the experienced Stringer helped Saracens close out the victory, Farrell and Biggar exchanging penalties to complete the scoring.
The teams meet again next Friday for the return fixture at the Liberty Stadium.
