Saracens survive Ospreys scare
MATCH REPORT: Saracens twice came from behind to beat Ospreys 35-20 on Sunday, securing their place in the Champions Cup quarterfinals.
The three-time champions wrestled control through tries from Max Malins (2), Duncan Taylor and Tom Woolstencroft, plus 15 points from Owen Farrell’s boot, but it was far from a routine victory.
Ospreys were 12 points up early and led by 10 shortly after half-time, but their scores from Mike Collins and Kieran Williams were ultimately in vain.
Saracens were on the board first in Barnet as flyhalf Farrell atoned for an early miss from the tee by slotting a penalty from in front of the posts on nine minutes.
But Ospreys would notch the game’s first try moments later, fullback Collins dotting down in the corner after good work from centre Kieran Williams, flyhalf Owen Williams adding the extras for the first of his 10 points.
The three-time champions were stunned further when scrumhalf Rhys Webb intercepted to kick-start an attack which Kieran Williams finished by sliding over in the corner, Owen Williams converting again from out wide.
Saracens rallied, though, Farrell reducing the deficit with another penalty before wing Malins reached out to plant down out wide on the stroke of half-time.
Ospreys had lost Keiran Williams to a yellow card shortly before that score and therefore began the second half a man down, and only a one-point lead after Farrell’s conversion.
Owen Williams would extend that advantage with two penalties at the start of the second half, but Saracens drew level on 56 minutes when fullback Alex Goode kicked through for flank Andy Christie, who in turn set up Malins for his second score, Farrell converting again.
Farrell then kicked Saracens in front with a third penalty on 63 minutes before the decisive moment came five minutes later; Webb threw a quick lineout into the hands of Saracens replacement Taylor, who dotted down untouched.
Farrell’s conversion moved the Premiership side 10 points clear, and they capped a battling victory when replacement hooker Woolstencroft added a fourth try at the death following a rolling maul.
The scorers:
For Saracens
Tries: Malins 2, Taylor, Woolstencroft
Cons: Farrell 3
Pens: Farrell 3
For Ospreys
Tries: Collins, K Williams
Cons: O Williams 2
Pens: O Williams 2
Teams:
Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Max Malins, 13 Alex Lozowski, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Sean Maitland, 10 Owen Farrell (captain), 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Ben Earl, 6 Andy Christie, 5 Hugh Tizard, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Marco Riccioni, 2 Jamie George, 1 Mako Vunipola.
Replacements: 16 Tom Woolstencroft, 17 Eroni Mawi, 18 Alec Clarey, 19 Nick Isiekwe, 20 Jackson Wray, 21 Aled Davies, 22 Duncan Taylor, 23 Alex Lewington.
Ospreys: 15 Michael Collins, 14 George North, 13 Owen Watkin, 12 Keiran Williams, 11 Luke Morgan, 10 Owen Williams, 9 Rhys Webb, 8 Morgan Morris, 7 Justin Tipuric (captain), 6 Ethan Roots, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Adam Beard, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Sam Parry, 1 Nicky Smith.
Replacements: 16 Dewi Lake, 17 Gareth Thomas, 18 Tom Botha, 19 Rhys Davies, 20 Dan Lydiate, 21 Reuben Morgan-Wiliams, 22 Gareth Anscombe, 23 Iestyn Hopkins.
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant referees: Vivien Praderie (France), Pierre-Baptiste Nuchy (France)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (Ireland)