Full-strength Saracens boost confidence with Exiles thrashing
SARACENS powered to a comprehensive win at the HAC as they ran in 11 tries against Championship outfit London Scottish.
With the beautiful surroundings matched by the weather, the hosts, full of international regulars, went in front early on.
Marcelo Bosch had a simple walk in after some quick hands in the backline and Sarries led 7-0 when Alex Lozowski converted.
Minutes later, a huge tackle sent the ball free to Jason Harries who still had 70 metres of grass in front of him. He was hauled down but offloaded to Robbie Fergusson, who managed to find Harries again after drawing in a number of defenders. Harries ran clear to dive under the posts.
Against the run of play Peter Lydon intercepted to go over for a converted try to level the score with applause from all for the ambitious rugby on display.
But equality didn’t last long as Scotland international Duncan Taylor finished off a fine counterattack after Alex Goode and the ever-dangerous Chris Ashton combined well in the build-up.
Skipper Jamie George was the next try scorer on the back of powerful driving maul before Ben Spencer rounded off a fine counter attacking move to score his side’s fourth of the evening and take the lead to 28-7.
Lydon thought he had brought the Scots back in to the match with another interception but just as he raced away the referee blew his whistle for an infringement to the Irishman’s frustration.
George Kruis and Goode had time to score two more tries before the break, giving Saracens a 40-7 lead at half-time.
Scottish had plenty of possession at the start of the second-half, the highlight being an intriguing tussle between Jason Harries and Chris Ashton on the wing.
The Scots then started to empty their bench with the whole squad getting game-time, and while they were getting up to speed Saracens were able to extend their lead.
Chris Wyles marked his return from the USA team at the Rio Olympics Sevens with a second half try as Mark McCall also looked to introduce his bench players.
Maro Itoje scored from close range to make it 52-7, before Taylor got his second of the evening on the hour as the hosts approached the 60-point mark.
Scottish had a number of chances in Sarries’ 22 after winning a penalty at the scrum.Their front-row held up superbly, but Saracens were able to absorb the pressure and eventually clear.
Schalk Brits and Sean Maitland rounded off the scoring in the final minutes as the match finished as an ominous 73-7 in favour of the Premiership and Champions Cup winners.