ASHTON TO THE RESCUE
Dramatic late try takes Saracens through
THE CLOCK had long since reached 80 minutes yesterday when Owen Farrell and Chris Ashton combined to snatch the draw which propels Saracens into the quarterfinals of the Champions Cup once again.
Mark McCall’s title- holders simply do not know when they are beaten. The visitors were trailing 22-15 and down to 14 men going into injury-time in this absorbing Pool Three encounter.
The Scarlets had done enough to claim another famous scalp — having already beaten mighty Toulon in west Wales earlier in the season — when their heroic quest to defend their lead was spoiled with the last play of the game. Two minutes from the end, Saracens lost Wallaby lock Will Skelton to the sin bin, for a wild slap aimed at James Davies, which the home flanker greeted with an elaborate tumble. Despite this setback, the Aviva Premiership side demonstrated their remarkable spirit by finding a way through the Scarlet wall of defiance.
Moments earlier, Farrell had carved through the line, but was unable to release a team-mate. The influential England back kept probing and when he broke through again with a dummy and a burst into space, he found Ashton close by, waiting to pounce.
The wing, who recently returned from a ban for biting, had already scored one try and his second could not have come at a better time. He took the short pass from Farrell and surged away from the covering defenders before forcing his way over the line next to the posts.
It was a shattering sight for the brave Scarlets and their supporters as the try confirmed their pool- stage exit from the event for another season.
But for Saracens, it was enough to ensure they will reach the last eight — as has become the norm. They fell short of achieving a tournament-record 14th consecutive victory, but they now face Toulon at Allianz Park on Saturday, chasing the win which will surely earn them a home quarter-final.
Once the dust had settled, McCall paid tribute to the men who had done the decisive deeds. ‘It was incredible from Owen in that last phase of play,’ said the director of rugby. ‘He really set the tone. He had already made two or three half-breaks before making that full break at the end.’
Reflecting on Ashton’s contribution, he added: ‘Both his tries were tries we are accustomed to him scoring. He kept running outstanding support lines, which is what he has been doing for years and years and years.’
Ashton’s first try was indeed another illustration of his innate ability to track the play and be on hand to pounce on openings. It was the 50th minute when Alex Lozowski, described as ‘fantastic’ by McCall, after operating out of position at full back, took a pass from Farrell, raced clear and released Ashton for a sprint to the line, for a try which levelled the scores at 12-12.
Lozowski had made his first telling contribution in the 13th minute as Saracens claimed their first try. From a lineout drive, the visitors pounded through the Scarlets’ 22 and when Richard Wigglesworth sent a flat pass fizzing his way, the playmaker in the No 15 shirt showcased his handling class, with a reflex tap-on which sent the ball into the path of Nathan Earle, who took it to score wide on the left.
Yet, for vast swathes of the match, the English raiders were out-played, as the hosts gained the upper hand in the scrum, competed tenaciously at the breakdown and attacked with style and daring.
Dan Jones struck four penalties to edge his side in front and in the 54th minute, the outstanding Scott Williams charged on to a perfect pass by Aled Davies to plunge under the posts.
At that stage, the force was with the Welshmen, but Saracens had the last word and McCall said: ‘It makes it exciting for next week. It’s going to be a big, big game — playing to win the pool and more importantly, to get a home quarter-final.’
The Ulsterman confirmed that George Kruis will not be fit to face Toulon, but the England lock is still expected to recover in time from his fractured cheekbone for the start of the Six Nations.
Meanwhile, Mako Vunipola is expected to make his comeback from a knee injury in late February — meaning he could feature in the final two rounds of the championship.