Match action
GEORGE Smith’s controversial dismissal ten minutes into the second half wrecked Bristol’s chances of an upset.
A 24-minute second-half hat-trick from Lions star Liam Williams, allied to further tries from Matt Gallagher, Alex Lewington and Billy Vunipola sealed the deal. However, the red card brandished for Smith’s marginally high challenge on Jackson Wray changed the game.
Wray came off worse when he charged into Smith inside Bristol’s 22. But any contact with the head appeared to be accidental and Bristol supremo Pat Lam was disappointed by the decision to issue the Aussie legend with his marching orders.
“I don’t think it’s even a yellow card,” Lam said. “Certainly a penalty, without a doubt. Yellow card? Possibly. Clear and obvious (red)? There were a lot of replays shown which suggest not.
“We were in the game at 18-all and I’m disappointed we didn’t win.”
Saracens’ monster pack forced an early scrum penalty and, after Maro Itoje had claimed the lineout, Owen Farrell found Alex Goode, who sent Gallagher to the line.
Bristol were soon under more pressure as Goode broke from deep and Sione Vailanu and Mako Vunipola pounded the line. However, the visitors survived before Will Hurrell broke clear and Callum Sheedy’s pinpoint crosskick found Alapati Leiua for a superb levelling try.
Sheedy booted Bristol ahead after Itoje strayed offside and the visitors scented blood when Steve Luatua picked up a Vunipola fumble. He released Hurrell who grubbered through, but Farrell and Goode combined well to avert the danger.
A thrilling passage of play ensued, with Saracens winger Lewington stopped dead at one end by Piers O’Conor before Goode halted O’Conor at the other. Bristol came again, though, and Sheedy smashed over his second penalty.
Farrell reduced the arrears after Jack Lam failed to roll away, then tied things up seconds before the interval. However, Vailanu dropped the restart, allowing Bristol a scrum in overtime from which the ball was whipped left for O’Connor to send Leiua scorching over.
Bristol led 18-13 at the break – a shock to the Saracens system from which they emerged with urgent intent when Michael Rhodes nicked a lineout and the ball whizzed wide to Goode, whose deliciously weighted pass enabled Lewington to finish with aplomb.
Farrell failed to convert, but Smith’s harsh red card followed and from the resultant close-range scrum, Billy Vunipola picked up and crashed over.
With Vunipola just on for Vailanu and Saracens ringing more changes with the introduction of Richard Wigglesworth, Will Skelton and Williams, shorthanded Bristol were made to suffer again when the immaculate Goode sent in Williams for the bonuspoint try
Bristol responded and Siale Piutau was adjudged held up. But the Saracens juggernaut soon rumbled forward again as Billy Vunipola drove to the line and Williams picked up to score, before the Welshman completed his quickfire treble from Farrell’s crosskick.