Allianz Premier 15s – Round 16
Saracens v Sale Sharks
The Sunday game saw Sarries put the game to bed by half-time, but then stand accused of going to bed themselves.
Once more Sharks proved what a force they could become by posting no fewer than five tries against the runaway leaders. They started well, but couldn’t find the all-important gap in Sarries’ defensive armoury. Instead, Holly Aitchison and Alex Kelter were devastating exploiters of lost possession.
Chips over the top always seemed to finish in their hands, and promising moves finished over the line time after time.
Chantelle Miell caught a deep clearance kick to run most of the length of the left touch-line – another expensive lesson for defending kickers.
Kat Merchant warns against the dangers of the inside pass, but Aitchison’s to Lotte Clapp sent her sailing over. A multiple move saw the two locks combining for the final pass under the posts, try to Catha Jacobs. Alysha Corrigan, another to have a productive game, fed Aitchison who added the fifth try.
It took Sale nearly till the break to produce a passing move that left a winger with an inch of usable space. She was Jodie Ounsley, who showed pace and agility to run clear to the line.
Half-time 31-7
A glance down at the final score shows the size of Sharks’ achievement. Ounsley added a second, starting as first receiver, accepting an off-load from Lizzie Duffy on the loop and stepping her way past grasping arms.
Kelter widened the gap again with a fine try, but their only further score came from her boot in front of the posts.
Sharks were helped by a yellow for Kelsey Clifford to add dominance up front, but even after she returned, the home pack came under considerable pressure. Catie Benson got a prop’s reward for hard work at the coal-face. Sarah Law showed the range of her abilities by burrowing over on the end of a long Sharks’ attack. Vicky Irwin completed the fifth try after more forward pressure.
Sarries are now sure of a home tie in the play-offs. Will they be signing on any more leading players before the season ends?
Result: Saracens 41 Sale Sharks 33
Officials
Referee: Holly Wood
ARs: Darryl Chapman and Bill Burton
with thanks to rugbyreferee.net
Table P W L D Pts
Saracens 15 14 1 0 67
Bristol 16 11 4 1 59
Exeter 16 11 4 1 56
Harlequins 16 11 5 0 55
Wasps 16 9 6 1 50
Loughborough 16 8 6 2 46
Gloucester-H 15 7 7 1 41
Worcester 16 4 12 0 24
Sale 15 1 15 0 8
DMPDS 16 0 16 0 0
