Bath
Rugby
16 - 28
Saracens
"I
was doing my job for my team mates.”
"You
want to win it so much and you want to do it for your mates that are
around you and you want to be apart of hopefully something
special...you want it that badly that it's just relief really.” said
Owen Farrell.
 |
| The stage was set for the Aviva Premiership Final |
It
was a game that looked set to be a show stopper featuring Bath’s
creativity in attack and Saracens doggedness in defence. Bath were
the home team here at HQ but even in the presence of 80,589 out in
force, supported with a sea of blue, black and white, my heart was
saying Bath to win but my head was saying Saracens.
When
I witnessed Bath attacking
from within their
own 22' early on, I knew that Saracens had brought their A game.
Were Saracens going to leave their opponents red faced?
Well
as Saracens swooped in and struck Bath with fierce attacking play and
little set piece; swinging the play to the backs; left to right like
a pendulum - I knew it would be their day. Owen Farrell was over
like a shot... It only took six minutes. Faz converted his own try
and then it was the exceptional hooker Jamie George who took a loose
ball and tore away like a little terrier and walloped over for
Sarries second in thirteen minutes.
 |
| Man on a mission, Jamie George |
Wow.
Was
this going to be an uphill struggle or a downwards spiral on the
cards for Bath? Especially with the loss of Anthony Watson who was
taken off and replaced permanently by Ollie Devoto after a high
tackle by Owen Farrell. It probably should have been a yellow but
Farrell got away lightly when referee Wayne Barnes didn't reach for a
card ... I was amazed; and it was very concerning for Bath to lose
such a valuable player so early on in this final.
Bath
seemed at a loose end early on and when the scrum collapsed and
Barnes penalised them, Faz slotted an extra three-pointer ... they'd
set sail and the wind was taking them in the general direction of
Aviva Premiership Champions 2015.
 |
| Immaculate lineouts from Saracens |
Don't
get me wrong, Bath were giving it a good go in attack, that's for
sure but their defence had more holes than a sieve. Saracens defence
in comparison was the brick wall we have come to expect and so should
have Bath.
Semesa
Rokoduguni did create an opportunity with a chip and chase on the
wing but was unfortunately barged into touch by Alex Goode before he
could follow it up! However this also wasn't seen by Barnes as a
'try scoring opportunity' and no card was given, just the penalty.
Luckily, Ford booted it good and Bath were finally on the scoreboard.
But
Sarries were like little fire crackers!
An
excellent example being an absolutely incredible set of football
skills from David Strettle. He chipped and caught his own kick to
take Saracens metres from the try line.
And
George again showing his worth, by setting Chris Wyles up who
finished the job off for Sarries third try of the first half.
Faz
added the extras and this London side were on their way to
victory...or was it too early to speculate?
Well,
when Farrell slotted another penalty just short of the first forty -
I couldn't help but think the half time whistle couldn't come soon
enough for Bath. It was painful to watch...
HT
3-25
Saracens
were in full control of this game and their versatility across the
park was evident. But a high tackle again by Faz allowed Ford to put
an extra three points on the board for Bath.
Bath
needed to alter their play but was it going to happen?
 |
| A sturdy Saracens scrum |
It
did in the front row...in the form of Nick Auterac, Rob Webber and
Henry Thomas. Bath began to bounce, just managing to play the style
of rugby they love and when Jonathan Joseph broke away and crossed,
Twickenham erupted like a volcano. Phew … were we going to be
treated to a contest at last!
Well
Ford slotted one between the uprights for his third penalty but
carelessness meant Farrell reciprocated a minute later, so maybe not.
Bath's
attacking play was too fragile and frivolous and fairly easy for the
steel framed Wolfpack to counteract. They were on the hunt; hunting
for the trophy and to be crowned Aviva Premiership Champions...and
they weren't going to let anything stop them.
For
me, Bath seemed to play the occasion rather than the game and their
style of rugby just didn’t faze the Saracens who were
psychologically well aware of what was required to win.
 |
| Saracens are crowned Aviva Premiership Champions 2015 |
There
is no doubt, that Saracens first try of this game was one of the most
creative sequences leading to a try that you will ever see – so
Sarries have cultivated their creative side and like most other
things they do – it was A*. However there is also no doubt that
their style of tackling is now ‘on the edge,’ with two or three
tacklers at a time are they just keeping it under the infringement
radar?
FT
16-28
Sarries
wound the clock down with about twelve phases of pick and goes and
for me their control and ability to do this just proved why they
deserve to be Champions; this group of players are well accomplished
and extremely classy.
 |
| MOTM, Owen Farrell |
Man
of the Match was awarded to the cool kid on the block, Owen Farrell
who played his heart out and spoke of his delight after the game;
“It's
been a tough season, for the team and myself a bit really. Obviously
injuries happen and that's all part of rugby and that's how I took
it. But it's been tough to sit on the side line and watch these lads
work hard day in day out at training and try and improve and get
better and you can't be out there with them doing it and not
everything has gone our way on the field playing wise. We've finished
top these last couple of years and come away with nothing and to
finish fourth and have to fight for fourth place and to come through
and do what we've done today is brilliant for us.”
My
Man on the Match would have gone to Jamie George who did a sterling
job on the pitch!
Bad
luck Bath; but we know you will be back with a bang...with your cavalry of supporters in tow!
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| The cavalry arrived at HQ |