Industrious Saracens clip Falcons’ wings and glide into semi-finals
SARACENS forwards coach Alex Sanderson hailed his side’s tireless work-rate after they sealed an LV= Cup semi-final place with a 41-8 victory over Newcastle Falcons.
Two tries from Jackson Wray, a Ben Ransom score and Tom Jubb’s late effort, plus 21 points from Ben Spencer’s boot, saw Saracens take an unassailable lead at the top of Group A with one game to play.
“We were a bit rusty in the first half,” said Sanderson, whose men led just 15-8 at the interval. “The work rate was there but after the break our execution was better. We know that teams we play at Allianz Park tend to tire in the second half because it is a faster pitch. We made sure we sustained the levels of intensity throughout the game and we got the just reward.”
High winds caused the abandonment of defending champions Harlequins’ clash with Leicester Tigers nine minutes before the end at The Stoop on Saturday. Quins led 20-6 with tries from Paul Sackey, Maurie Fa’asavalu and Tom Guest when advertising boards were blown onto the field of play, leaving tournament chiefs to decide on whether the result stands.
London Wasps beat London Irish 22-15 in the capital contest at Adams Park to record their eighth win in nine games. Charlie Davies, Ed Jackson and Josh Bassett touched down for Wasps with Joe Carlisle adding seven points from the kicking tee.
Be part of the rugby family at the LV= Cup Final at Sandy Park, Exeter on 16 March. Tickets now available: www.ticketmaster.co.uk