Saracens keep title hopes very much alive

The Saracens travelled to Fakenham knowing it was a crucial game if they wanted to retain their spot at the top of the Eastern Counties 2 North league. From before the kick off the Diss side were well aware they were in for a tough afternoon against a far heavier team, but this was built into the visiting sides match plan; with the intention to play some expansive rugby, moving the ball about the field and making the opposition pack work hard. True to recent form the Saracens made a slow start, and after 5 minutes the Diss side found themselves on defending hard on their own try line. The strength of the Fakenham side was evident as they barged over the line for the first score of the game, with the conversion giving them a seven point lead. This proved to be the needed wake up call for the Saracens and they attacked hard, but not long afterwards their enthusiasm got the better of them, and an infringement at a ruck saw a penalty awarded to Fakenham, which was duly kicked for a ten point lead. From the restart the Saracens attacked hard, and soon gained possession, and after a series of phases fly half Pete Chartier broke through the Fakenham defence ducking and dodging through tackles to find himself on the five metre line, when a well-timed pass put Kiwi Ryan Shannon over the line for Diss’ first points. André Goymour converting. The Diss tactic of expansive rugby was taking its toll on the heavier pack, and after the initial struggle in the scrum the Saracens were starting to hold their own. Freddie Cornish, Will Baldwin and Karlton Gray competing very well up front. The Saracens momentum continued to build, and after a series of break downs they found themselves in the opposition 22, and continued pressure saw them stopped just short of the line. Ben Walker noticed a hole open up in the defence and popped the ball up from the base of the ruck to put Shannon over the line for his second try, again André Goymour converting. The score at half time standing at 14-10 to the visitors.
The Saracens continued their momentum into the second half and it was evident Fakenham were really starting to tire. Tempers started to fray and a scuffle between Scrum halves Will Hemmant and Paul Richardson developed into a mass brawl, which was soon brought back under control. Again the Diss side attacked hard, with the whole team looking comfortable with ball in hand. The home side didn’t like the pressure and one of their key forwards resorted to stamping on a Diss player right in front of the referee, earning himself a red card, and awarding the Saracens the advantage of an extra man. The Diss attack continue to rumble up the field, with competition at the breakdown reducing by the minute. The Fakenham side were desperately trying to stop the Saracens surge, with Karlton Gray, Jake Girdler and Jacob Page all being stopped inches short of the line, but replacement Flanker Paul Coomber dived over from the base of the ruck for Diss’ third try. Goymour converting once again. Fakenham rallied with 10 minutes left and put Diss under a lot of pressure, pushing them deep into their own half, when the ball was regained by Diss and kicked to touch. Fakenham set a driving maul from the lineout, and after a couple of peels the weightier pack crashed over the line. The narrowly missed conversion leaving them just six points behind. Once again Diss attacked hard, but attempts were thwarted by a string of injuries to players from both teams. With 2 minutes to go the Saracens set off on their final rampage, with centre Chris Trede making a break out wide to run 50 metres to score, earning Diss a much wanted bonus point. The final play of the game came in the form of Goymour’s conversion attempt, which was closely missed, leaving the final score 26-15 and the Saracens jubilant in the knowledge they had maintained their 4 point lead at the top of the table with one game to go.