Bok beef pounds Saracens pack into submission
AS warm-ups go it was unorthodox. Gloucester formed a slip cordon, fired tennis balls at one another and made a few lbw appeals – but however unorthodox the tennis-meets-cricket routine, this was comfortably game, set and match to the Cherry and Whites.
Gloucester bludgeoned Saracens into submission. The home pack – powered just as much by the Rainbow Nation as by Cherry and White – was key in the home side’s physical dominance. Franco Marais’ throwing at the lineout was relentlessly accurate in the first half, while Franco Mostert, Ruan Ackermann and Jaco Kriel added plenty of South African ballast and guile in the back five.
But it was an Englishman who capitalised. Ben Morgan – who looked alert and delivered a tactically astute performance – was a menacing ball carrier and it was his just reward to score twice.
The shine was taken off things by Gloucester allowing the visitors to score two late tries and claim an unlikely bonus point. If that point was a crumb of comfort for Saracens, of concern is a knee injury to David Strettle and a calf problem for Brad Barritt.
It was the second week in a row that Gloucester hosted the side at the top of the table. And having despatched Exeter the previous Friday, they did the same to Saracens.
Gloucester will be relieved that Jack Polledri made it back from injury with a 24-minute cameo off the bench, while Kriel also returned from injury to deliver a physical display on the openside before being replaced by Polledri.
Tim Taylor, Gloucester’s attack coach, highlighted the importance of halfback pair Willi Heinz and Danny Cipriani in controlling the game’s rhythm.
“It was important we backed up last week’s win against Exeter,” said Taylor. “It was a great game from Willi and I think he and Danny managed the field position really well.”
Saracens enjoyed the larger portion of possession in the opening quarter but were at times awkwardly frantic. They were made to pay on 20 minutes when Ollie Thorley surged into the Sarries 22. He was denied by a well-aimed challenge by Alex Lewington, but Morgan’s lunge from a subsequent ruck earned the try.
Alex Lozowski pulled three points back but a rumbling Gloucester lineout drive soon put Saracens back on their heels. Billy Twelvetrees slotted his third penalty for 16-3 at the break.
Gloucester continued to take the fight to Saracens at close quarters and were held up over the line three times. Schalk Burger was a central figure in Saracens’ stout defence, scrapping for everything on the floor.
But the Cherry and Whites’ attack was relentless, and Ed Slater rumbled over to give Gloucester a 20point cushion. Michael Rhodes hit back from short range but Morgan’s second touchdown put the result beyond doubt.
Sarries were perseverant. Matt Gallagher scored with 90 seconds to go and Jackson Wray secured the losing bonus point with the final play of the match.