Depleted Sarries still too good for Falcons
SARACENS are breathing down Exeter Chiefs’ necks after smothering Falcons into submission with an impressive display at Allianz Park.
Despite having twothirds of their first-team regulars either on international duty or on the injury list, they crept to within two points of their Devon rivals, who surprisingly lost 6-5 at home to Worcester, in the Premiership table.
Mark McCall’s weakened side were simply too good, too strong and too skilful for a Falcons team which was brought crashing back down to earth following an impressive first five months of the season.
The stellar stars may have been missing from club action but those who step in whenever the Six Nations comes calling, did Sarries proud, with the game already in the bag by half-time.
Prop Richard Barrington bulldozed his way over for a first-half try and the hosts led 20-3 at the break with Sarries also being awarded a penalty try as their pack put the stranglehold on the Falcons.
Sarries took control of the contest in a one-sided first-half which saw them dominate territory and have 91 carries compared to just 31 by Falcons.
The visitors also had to make double the number of tackles to their rivals, nearly 100 in the opening 40 minutes.
Spencer kicked Sarries into an early lead after intense pressure inside the Falcons 22. The visitors held firm until being caught offside at a ruck and the fly-half made them pay.
But the hosts were guilty of holding onto the ball at the bottom of the ruck moments later and Joel Hodgson levelled matters with his first penalty.
Falcons lost influential full-back Simon Hammersley to injury in a collision after just 17 minutes. He was replaced by Alex Tait.
Jackson Wray was dazed and needing treatment when centre Juan Pablo Sucino hit him hard as he dropped to clutch hold of a kick through on the ground.
The Sarries steam roller began to up the temperature and intensity and a series of battering phases eventually broke through the defiant Falcons back division.
Barrington found the route across the line from six yards out, picking the ball up and forcing his way under the posts for Spencer to add an easy conversion.
Falcons tried desperately to turn the tide of black shirts flowing their way and even resorted to foul means, which did not succeed.
Referee Christophe Ridley awarded a penalty try to the hosts when Liam Williams raced to grab a sublime Alex Lozowski chip over the visitors’ line.
He would have done so and scored but for Sinoti Sinoti’s intervention.
The Falcons wing blatantly pushed his Sarries rival out the way as he was about to grasp the ball, and was shown a yellow card for his sins.
Both teams struggled to break down the others’ defence in the second half with Falcons wasting what glimpses of the Sarries line they had by turning over the ball.
Sarries grabbed the only points with replacement fly-half Max Malins racing onto his own kick through to dive on the ball.