Sarries shoot down the Eagles
Saracens were convincing 20-6 winners against the United states Eagles in the city of London in their midweek clash on Tuesday.
The innovative London club took international rugby to the city at the HAC Ground in the heart of the financial district and tries from Don Barrell and James Short saw the home side to victory.
The game was closely-fought in the early stages and Sarries nearly took the lead in the opening minutes when a good break down the wing saw Short bundled into touch a few feet short of the line.
However, it was the visitors who took the lead when flyhalf Valenese Malifa struck an early penalty, but Owen Farrell levelled the scores minutes later. The duo then swapped penalties to make it 6-6 at half time.
Sarries made a number of replacements at the break with captain Steve Borthwick and Schalk Brits leaving the field with Mouritz Botha and Ethienne Reynecke taking their place. Petrus du Plessis also returned to action after missing the past month through injury.
The home side crossed the line just five minutes into the second half. Short made another burst down the wing and he was stopped short, but the ball was quickly worked wide to the opposite touchline and Reynecke made a break for the line. He got to within inches of the line, but Barrell was on hand to pick up the ball and barge over. Farrell converted.
The visitors continued to push and probe the Sarries defence but as the game wore on, Sarries created more and more chances but were unable to make them count. However, a clever break with the final action of the game saw Short get the ball out wide and cut inside his man to score. Farrell’s successful conversion was the final action of the game.
Against a tough and physical USA side, the likes of Sam Stanley, Will Fraser and Farrell all caught the eye but it was a club veteran in Kevin Sorrell, out of retirement as a guest in this game, who was named the Man of the Match.
The scorers:
For Saracens:
Tries: Barrell, Short
Cons: Farrell 2
Pens: Farrell 2
For the USA:
Pens: Malifa 2
The teams:
Saracens: 15 Ben Ransom, 14 Noah Cato, 13 Sam Stanley, 12 Kevin Sorrell, 11 James Short, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Kevin Barrett, 8 Justin Melck, 7 Will Fraser, 6 Don Barrell, 5 George Kruis, 4 Steve Borthwick (captain), 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Jared Saunders.
Replacements: 16 Ethienne Reynecke, 17 James Ellershaw, 18 Petrus du Plessis, 19 Mouritz Botha, 20 Matt Hankin, 21 Neil de Kock, 22 Jake Sharp, 23 Luke Baldwin.
United States Eagles: 15 Colin Hawley, 14 Paul Emerick, 13 Setareki Tulievuka, 12 Alipate Tulievuka, 11 Zachary Test, 10 Nese Malifa, 9 Mike Petri, 8 Nic Johnson (captain), 7 Inaki Basauri, 6 JJ Gagiano, 5 Samu Manoa, 4 Scott Lavalla, 3 Eric Fry, 2 Chris Biller, 1 Mike MacDonald.
Replacements: 16 Phil Thiel, 17 Mate Moeakiola, 18 Louis Stanfill, 19 Todd Clever, 20 Tim Usasz, 21 Tai Enosa, 22 Andrew Suniula.
Referee: Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts (England)