Farrell reminds Borthwick what England will be missing
OWEN FARRELL served up a reminder of what Saracens and England will miss next season in front of a watching Steve Borthwick as the defending Premiership champions stole a vital victory. Farrell’s 78th-minute penalty ended Bath’s second-half comeback and pushed his team back above the hosts and into second in what is a thrilling race for the play-offs. ‘Is this the big decider?’ asked one Bath fan as they sipped their pre-match pint. It wasn’t quite that important, but it was a vital fixture in the run-in. Farrell’s last season before he brings his Saracens and international career to an end by moving to Racing 92 could yet end with a second consecutive league title. England head coach Borthwick, who played for both these clubs, was joined by international assistant Richard Wigglesworth in the stands. Farrell had an early kick charged down by Charlie Ewels. But he was at the heart of Saracens’ first. Tom Parton finished the move as he continued his fine form after scoring the fastest hat-trick in Premiership history against Gloucester last weekend. Without their injured magic man Finn Russell, Bath struggled to hit the heights they have been used to on home soil this season. But they were given a numerical advantage before the break when Maro Itoje tackled Alfie Barbeary high and was yellow carded. Farrell wasn’t happy with the decision.
He was reminded by Bath hooker Niall Annett it was Luke Pearce and not him in charge of the game. But not only did Saracens ride out Itoje’s yellow, they showed their class to move further clear. The visitors hassled and harried Bath without the ball as both teams kicked constantly. But when they had possession, Saracens used it brilliantly. Right on the half-time whistle it looked like Farrell was going to try a drop-goal but he sensed there was more to be had and attacked, chipping towards the lively Rotimi Segun. The kick was perfect, allowing Segun an easy finish. Farrell nailed the conversion to make it 12-0 at the break. Parton came close to a second when the game resumed but Joe Cokanasiga’s last-ditch tap tackle stopped him.
It took until just short of the hour for Bath to make an impact. But two quick scores in six minutes levelled up the game. Bath were fuelled by their replacements as Thomas du Toit and Cameron Redpath both scored from close range. Ben Spencer converted Redpath’s effort to make it 12-12 but Farrell won it at the death after Theo Dan had made a rampaging break. Farrell’s celebration as he kicked the ball dead to end the game said everything about how big this win is for his team.