Spencer stars for Saracens in victory over Harlequins
BEN Spencer shrugged off his World Cup snub to showcase his prodigious all-round skills and help secure Sarries a Premiership Cup semi-final spot.
The Stockport-born scrum-half deservedly picked up the man of the match award for his brace of tries and 23 total points in a win that saw the hosts qualify for the next stage as best runners-up in their Pool A behind Sale Sharks.
Spencer, 27, missed out on Japan and Academy coach Adam Powell said: “He was a little unfortunate to be here and not somewhere else. If I was England coach I might have decided something different!
“He can’t control who Eddie picks, all he can do is play well consistently for Sarries and see what comes of that.”
Powell, whose side were runners-up to Northampton Saints last season, enthused: “It’s been a good campaign with three wins from four games. We have a semi-final to look forward to and that’s a good way to head into a new Premiership season.”
Quins head of rugby Paul Gustard, whose men still qualified as top of Pool B, said: “It’s disappointing to lose but we’ve had a good build up to the season with three wins and taken 14 points out of a possible 20. Now, to try and claim a top four place in the Premiership we have to be consistent, show fortitude and play well.”
Sarries, who kick off the defence of their title hosting Northampton, carved out a 22-13 half-time lead and never looked back.
Quins, who travel to last season’s beaten finalists Exeter Chiefs for their opener, included South African wing Travis Ismaiel in their starting line-up.
They put the first points on the board courtesy of an early Marcus Smith penalty but it was all uphill
from then on as Sarries dominated the scoreboard if not the ball.
A first class finish from Rotimi Segun got them moving, defying two tacklers to force his way over. Then it became the Spencer show with the No9 on fire. He rounded off a stunning move to dive over the line after a Nick Tompkins’ break.
After adding the conversion he stretched the lead with a penalty before Tompkins was tackled just short of the line by Marcus Smith.
Quins retaliated with full-back Mike Brown showing his impressive running prowess, weaving his way across the Sarries line with Smith converting.
The Quins joy did not last as Will Skelton galloped clear with ball in hand. The lock off-loaded for the supporting Spencer to grab his second try.
Smith’s penalty on the stroke of half-time lifted Quins but they trailed by nine points and Sarries continued to control matters in the second half despite Smith reducing the deficit with another penalty.
Wing Alex Lewington let one try slip from his grasp but two more Spencer penalties left Quins needing a late fightback.
Wing Gabriel Ibitoye set up a tense final few moments by forcing his way through two tacklers to touch the ball down in the corner but it was not enough to stop Sarries.