Ashton on the scoresheet as Sarries back to winning ways
MARK McCall breathed a huge sigh of relief after his champions rediscovered the art of winning by sweeping Sharks aside at Allianz Park.
Talk of a Sarries title wobble had begun to grow in recent weeks following defeats at Worcester and Gloucester. But the London club got their act together to show they are still well placed to retain their title.
The only disappointment was missing out on a bonus point win but tries from Duncan Taylor, Chris Ashton and Nathan Earle meant director of rugby McCall was pleased with ending a run of three games without a win, including a draw against Exeter.
He admitted: “Sharks might have thought we were vulnerable after recent results so this was a great way to respond to the losses.
“We got a good response from the players in terms of how we had to increase the energy and effort we had put into previous games. It was a step up on previous performance and the attitude was really pleasing.
“We always know these international periods will be difficult for us because we lose so many key players.
“We’ve had a tough run of games with most away from home during this Six Nations. We had the same last year so perhaps Premier Rugby are trying to make life hard or us!
“But the barometer of how things are going is how well you defend. And I thought we defended excellently today - the players were very physical.
“Brad Barritt set the tone as usual in the first collision but Jackson Wray was magnificent too and Joel Conlon was outstanding on his Premiership debut .
“Of course it was disappointing we couldn’t get the fourth try near the end but we’d have taken the four points prior to the game.”
Will Addison kicked Sharks ahead but sustained a broken foot and was removed from the action after just nine minReplacement Losing their in-form centre and captain was a huge blow, and Sarries took firm control and never looked back.
Marcelo Bosch’s looping wide pass found Duncan Taylor in acres of space and time to cross for the opening try.
Alex Lozowski and Addison’s replacement AJ MacGinty exchanged penalties before Sarries struck with a Chris Ashton try.
Sale hooker Rob Webber over threw a line-out and Sarries flanker Joel Conlan snared the ball and burst through.
Scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth lobbed a kick through and Ashton beat last man Mike Haley to it as the ball bounced kindly for the Sarries man to stroll over.
Sharks came out fighting after the break and fly-half Sam James’ sublime low kick through had flanker Magnus Lund chasing hard to dive on the ball before it went dead for a fine try.
MacGinty converted but Lozowski’s fourth penalty eased the home side’s growing concerns.
Then came the killer blow as a rapid Sarries attack saw Brad Barritt and Bosch feed young wing Nathan Earle who burst over for the third try.
hooker Cameron Neild rolled his way over the line for Sharks’ second try but Sarries were home and hosed.
The only disappointutes. ment was missing out on a fourth try and bonus point at the end when they were camped on the Sale line but knocked on with time running out.