Clealls show the way for unbeaten Sarries
Saracens ............ 44pts Darlington MP .... 19pts
BRYONY Cleall starred as Saracens continued their winning start to the season with a comfortable victory over in-form Darlington Mowden Park Sharks.
Cleall scored twice as the home side ran in eight tries against a side who had won their last two matches, in a dominant display.
Both sides produced some lovely passing moves but Darlington were unable to cope with Saracens’ superior firepower.
Poppy Cleall touched down after seven minutes as the Saracens pack overturned a Darlington scrum to take the lead.
Rowan Wright added a second before Bryony Cleall showed superb strength to hold off three defenders and score in the corner.
Darlington rallied from 15-0 down after 15 minutes and were unfortunate not to score when a grubber kick rebounded off the upright and away to the Saracens’ defence.
But the visitors continued pressing and were rewarded when Tamara Taylor took advantage of a Saracens lapse in concentration at a lineout.
Just as Darlington looked to have secured a foothold in the game, the home side extended their lead through outside centre Cara Wardle.
Arguably the pick of the game’s tries, winger Ella Wyrwas drew two defenders and flicked the ball out of the back of her hand for Wardle to latch on to.
Shortly after the interval, Poppy Cleall grabbed her second try of the game, before the Sharks pulled a try back through Kat Hobson, following Claudia MacDonald’s excellent break.
Flanker Bryony Cleall then got her second try, running onto the ball just outside the Darlington 22 and beating three defenders for a magnificent solo score.
Darlington centre Rachael Woosey burst through the Saracens defence and showed excellent pace to give the visitors a third score with ten minutes to go.
But as the game drew to a close, Rosie Galligan and Helena Rowland both ran over for the home side to make it 44-19.
Rowland caught Zoe Harrison’s delicate kick over the top and outpaced the visitors’ defence to score in the corner.
Darlington pushed for a fourth try and a bonus point, but the Saracens defence held firm.