Saracens put their foot on the accelerator in the second half of their
Heineken Cup encounter with Toulouse to pull off a tense victory and keep alive
their slim hopes of securing a place in the quarter-finals.
Saracens and visiting Toulouse, who were previous European Cup winners in
1996, headed into the last 40 minutes of the Pool Three clash at Vicarage Road
level on 13 points.
But the hosts - who have only faint hopes of reaching the last eight as one of
the best second-placed sides and must now rely on rivals' results going their
way - upped the tempo and took the lead through a Kevin Sorrell try.
The 23-year-old was on the receiving end of a reverse pass by Australian
Duncan McRae, who was returning to the starting line-up after a nine-week injury
lay-off. McRae converted to put Saracens 20-13 up.
Scottish international Scott Murray then benefited from more good work by
McRae.
The fly-half looked certain to score minutes later, but was brought down just
short of the line for the ball to be recycled which was then picked up by
Murray. Again McRae converted to give the home side a 14-point cushion.
Toulouse nevertheless had no intention of handing their English rivals victory
and fought back with a try by former Saracen Alain Penaud.
The French side then grabbed with two late tries through Michel Marsaing and
Clement Poitreneau, but Saracens held their nerve for replacement Kieran Roche
to collect his side's fourth try of the afternoon on 77 minutes
McRae, as consistent as ever with the boot and converted to bring his tally of
points to 17.
Teams:
Saracens:
Tries: Sparg, Sorrell, Murray, Roche.
Cons: McRae 4.
Pens: McRae 3.
Saracens: Sparg, O'Mahony, Shanklin, Sorrell, Luger, McRae,
Bracken, Flatman, Russell, White, Murray, Davison, Chesney,
Hill, Diprose.
Replacements: Walshe for Bracken (69), Wallace for White (55),
Roche for Davison (48), Cairns for Chesney (78).
Not Used: Phillips, Haughton, Johnston.
Toulouse:
Tries: Ilharreguy, Penaud, Marfaing, Poitreneau.
Cons: Marfaing 2.
Pens: Marfaing 2.
Toulouse: Ougier, N'Tamack, Desbrosse, Garbajosa,
Marfaing,
Penaud, Ilharreguy, Califano, Bru, Esposito, Gerard, Pelous,
Lacroix, Dispagne, Maka.
Replacements: Bondouy for Ougier (60),
Delaigue for Penaud (71), Servat for Bru (68),
Lievremont for Lacroix (44), Labit for Dispagne (55).
Not Used: Tournaire, Poitreneau.
Att: 8,461
Ref: C Muir (Scotland).
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