Sarries survive Viadana scare
Saracens battled back from a half-time deficit to beat Viadana 36-19 in the European Challenge Cup at Vicarage Road.
Last Updated: 18/01/09 6:55pm
Saracens came through a fright to book their place in the quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup with a 36-19 win over Viadana.
Fly-half Glen Jackson kicked 21 points to guide the Guinness Premiership side to victory in the Pool Five clash at Vicarage Road.
However, the hosts were forced to work hard to make it five wins from five in the competition by their Italian opponents.
Viadana had threatened to cause a major European upset when they went in at half time with a deserved 16-9 advantage.
Charles Hore kicked two penalties and converted a seventh-minute try scored by flanker Jacobus Erasmus. Gary Law also contributed three points with the boot in the opening 40 minutes.
Comfortable win
Saracens managed three penalties from Jackson in reply before turning on the style after the interval to run out comfortable winners.
Noah Cato dived over in the corner for their opening try and centre Kameli Ratuvou and wing Adam Powell also went on to touch down.
Jackson slotted over all three conversions, as well as two second-half penalties, as Viadana's resistance was finally broken.
Sarries' victory means they will travel to Mont de Marsan on Friday night for their final group match knowing another victory would give them home advantage in the next round.
The last eight will be dominated by English clubs with London Irish, Northampton and Worcester also all qualifying with a game to spare.
