Brits hits treble to steady Sarries ship
VETERAN hooker Schalk Brits grabbed a hat-trick as Saracens eventually showed their class against a dogged Bedford side that never threw in the towel.
At the age of 36, it’s hugely impressive that Brits can continue to play rugby at the standard and tempo that he does and the former Springbok lit up the occasion with his nineminute treble.
It allowed Sarries to take control of the contest after a bright start from the Blues put them 8-0 up early doors, but it took until the closing stages before a gulf in quality began to show.
With their British & Irish Lions contingent only just beginning their reintegration into the squad, winger Chris Wyles was one of the other older heads on show and he wasn’t surprised by how competitive Bedford were.
He said: “It was a bit imperfect at times. We had some good play and the Bedford team brought a good attitude and they’re always a tough hit-out for us at the start of the season.
“There were some tough conditions with the wind and the famous slope, but it was a good game for us.
“I think the young lads came on and made a big difference for us.
“They were excellent and we tend to pride ourselves on our fitness levels and I think that shined through for us.”
After opening the scoring with a Will Hooley penalty, Bedford scored their first try off the back of a superb move, involving some neat hands from Dean Adamson and Ben Adams, that Howard Packman finished off.
Saracens soon found their feet, however, and after Brits pulled back a converted pushover try, the same man put the visitors in front by breaking off a driving maul.
His hat-trick was then completed by an effort almost identical to his first, but the Blues were able to hit back as Lee Dickson and Hooley combined to set up Packman for his second of the afternoon.
Richard Wigglesworth skated through a gap forged by his forwards to round off the scoring in the first half before Juan Figaltries lo burrowed his way through to extend the lead eight minutes after the restart.
Bedford then scored their third try through a rolling maul of their own, with Tom Lindsay the beneficiary, but Sarries were to stretch clear after Mike Ellery seized on a loose ball to score.
With the benches emptied and the Blues running on empty, the visitors added three more tries in the closing stages through Jack Nay, Tom Griffiths and Ben Earl to give a flattering look to the score.
Bedford captain Michael Le Bourgeois said: “Saracens really showed what a top-quality side they are, but it was a good challenge from us and, in the end, it was a good show from us, really.
“We showed a bit what we’re made of and got a lot of joy out of it, a lot of success. I think the boys did themselves proud.”