North Bristol 2nds/3rds XV 29 Saracens 3rds 24

BRISTOL Saracens success-rate so far has been excellent, mainly due to a talented back-line.

That said, North Bristol had hoped to show them an effective pack in all phases. Sadly, with an unqualified front row, Saracens preferred to take scrums as uncontested, thereby denying North Bristol a cutting edge there.

Nevertheless, this was an even and hard fought match throughout. North Bristol took the honours territorially in two longish sessions, one in each half, but the visitors’ defence was sound. Saracens efficient back-line sometimes left North grasping at straws.

The first try came after five minutes, when North’s on-song number ten, Matt Hazzard, sold an outrageous dummy to dart over from fifteen metres. His conversion took North to a 7-0 lead.

Almost at once, another home attack should have snatched a try, but for once, power-house centre, Josh Campley, failed to hold the pass on the try line.

Before long, lock Alfie Ford took the short side from a maul and powered up the left touch line and slipped the ball to the ever present Matt Bowden, whose touch down lifted North Bristol to a 12-0 lead. However, a palpable forward pass, missed by the referee, began Saracen’s fight-back after ending with a converted try at 12-7.

North, reduced to fourteen men, from a tentative high tackle, poor concentration and weak wide tackling was exploited by Sarries, who levelled things at 12-12 with their second try just before the interval.

North’s large bench-movement brought frequent changes, which needed time to adjust. During this period, eager Saracens took advantage to score two more tries, one of which was converted, and they led 12-24.

As vigorous number nine, Matt Bowden, prompted them, North improved and great forward team-work brought a try for outstanding Alfie Ford. This was followed by another from replacement, Simon Wood, and converted by Matt Hazzard.

Much of the second half found North forcing Saracens into their own half, but the visitors’ defence was determined and it only cracked in the last two minutes.

Increased North forward pressure produced a try for industrious flanker, Ben Green, to take the home side to a hard-earned 29-24 victory over neighbours Saracens.