LAM’S CHOP
Bears hold on tight to make failing Sarries squirm
PAT LAM’S Bristol staged a smash-and-grab raid to rob Saracens and close in on succeeding them as champions.
A sixth straight Premiership win moved the Bears second behind Exeter and further justified owner Steve Lansdowne’s monster investment in the club.
But on a miserable day at Ashton Gate their starstudded team had to win ugly, leading for the first time with three minutes left.
“We love to entertain,” said Lam, who hired Semi Radradra and Kyle Sinckler during lockdown with the promise of fireworks.
“But it was about playing the conditions and taking chances. If we want to be the team we want to be we have to win in different styles. We showed a lot of heart.”
Saracens bossed large periods, belying the turmoil at a club condemned to relegation for salary- cap breaches and forced to offload six of its best players.
Injuries to England’s Owen Farrell, Elliot Daly and Brad Barritt further weakened them, yet with Alex Goode calling the shots they had victory in sight but gave Bristol a get-out-of-jail card.
Replacement scrum- half Aled
Davies fluffed a box kick, Sarries were caught offside and from
Callum Sheedy’s resultant kick to the corner, Siale
BOOTIFUL Maro Itoje’s boots, which paid tribute to the key workers
Piutau took set-piece ball to the line.
Jamie George tried to intercept the threat but the England hooker came in from the side and ref Matt Carley awarded a penalty try.
The Londoners deserved more for their effort as they build towards next month’s rescheduled Champions Cup quarter-final at Leinster.
Goode’s clever prods and pokes, with his team-mate’s suf focating kick- chase, pinned the home side deep in their own territory for long periods.
Maro Itoje, wearing specially created boots dedicated to key workers who have performed such heroics in this pandemic, also put in a mighty shift. And there was the heartening sight of England No.8 Billy Vunipola back to something like full bore after a quiet World Cup and a fourth broken arm.
The upshot was Radradra being restricted to defensive duties and a watching brief – much as Manu Tuilagi was when headlining for Sale at Harlequins on Friday night.
Unlike Sharks, however, Bristol found a way to win, helped by the second-half arrival of Sinckler and on-loan Sarries star Ben Earl.
Having absorbed pressure, they broke upfield and although Luke Morahan’s solo try was chalked off for a marginal obstruction, from a brilliant arcing run, it gave them the belief for one final triumphant push.
Tries: Penalty Pens: Sheedy (3)
SaRaCenS: Pens: Goode (4)