Fallen giants Bath were dumped in the Zurich Premiership relegation mire after
Saracens' second-half powerplay condemned them to an emphatic defeat at Vicarage
Road.
While Saracens' first league win of 2002 lifted them into eighth place, dismal
Bath were left just one point above bottom club Leeds and still without an away
Premiership victory this season.
The West Country outfit were still firmly in contention at half-time, trailing
just 9-6 but they found themselves blown away by a Saracens try blitz of three
touchdowns in 12 minutes.
England scrum-half Kyran Bracken prized open the floodgates when he finished
off a superb move created by his England team-mate Richard Hill's 40-metre break
from the back of the scrum.
And before Bath could recover from that setback, they were again exploited
defensively, this time when flanker Kris Chesney stormed over, collecting Hill's
pass and blasting through the attempted combined challenge of Iain Balshaw and
Rob Thirlby.
And Saracens completed the demolition job eight minutes from time, with wing
Gerald Arasa capitalising on more weak tackling to take the home side past 30
points and out of sight.
Centre Kevin Sorrell chipped in with 15 points from three penalties and three
conversions, while caretaker-coach Tim Horan, playing at fly-half, dropped a
57th minute goal.
All Bath could muster in reply were two Olly Barkley penalties and a late
consolation try by England centre Mike Tindall when he charged down Saracens'
full-back Adryan Winnan's attempted clearance.
For Bath's recently-appointed team director, Australian World Cup winner
Michael Foley, the afternoon was one to forget.
His team showed little idea, both in attack and defence, and rarely threatened
a Saracens' side who, before kick-off, were below Bath on points difference.
Bath have six games left to haul themselves out of trouble, and they will
still fancy their chances of a successful salvage job, given that three of those
matches - against Leeds, Northampton and Wasps - are at home.
But any more performances like today's abysmal effort will seriously threaten
their existence in English rugby's top flight.
For a club who have won 16 domestic league and cup trophies there can be no
excuse for a performance that had their travelling supporters in a crowd of
almost 11,000 shaking their heads in frustration.
Bath went into the game without injured international quartet Mike Catt, Matt
Perry, Kevin Maggs and Gareth Cooper, and their collective experience was sorely
missed, especially given how Saracens England men Hill and Bracken, together
with veteran French forward Abdel Benazzi, all played crucial roles.
Like Bath, Saracens are also in the market for a new director of rugby, but
acting boss Horan could, unlike Foley, gain satisfaction from his team's
display.
Sorrell kicked three first half penalties - Barkley replied with two for Bath
- during a scrappy opening period memorable only for a dust up between Hill and
his England colleague, Bath's former Saracens' lock Danny Grewcock.
Both players were warned by referee Robin Goodliffe following their scrap on
the floor, but it was Saracens who then stepped up a gear and delivered Bath a
knockout blow.
Horan's drop goal made it 12-6, and then man of the match Hill set the tone
for a one-sided final quarter by rampaging clear for Bracken to finish off.
Sorrell converted, and then also improved Chesney's touchdown. At 26-6 adrift,
there was no way back for Bath, and when Arasa scored, Saracens found themselves
chasing a bonus point.
Bath, at least, had the final say through Tindall's opportunist effort, but
this was a desperate day for the 1998 European champions, and there is some
serious soul-searching to be done by Foley, his coaching staff and the players.
Saracens are now in the play-off positions, although they cannot afford to get
carried away given the sub-standard quality of Bath's feeble challenge.
Teams:
Saracens: Winnan, Arasa, Shanklin, Sorrell, O'Mahony, Horan, Bracken, Flatman, Russell, Durant, A. Benazzi, A. Benazzi, Murray, Chesney, Roques, Hill, Roche.
Replacements: Walshe for Bracken (75), Cairns for Russell (67), Harbut for Durant (67), Roche for A. Benazzi (28),
Roche for A. Benazzi (61), Cole for Hill (72), A. Benazzi for Roche (33).
Not Used: Smith, Johnston.
Tries: Bracken, Chesney, Arasa.
Cons: Sorrell 3.
Pens: Sorrell 3.
Drop Goals: Horan.
Bath: Balshaw, Voyce, Crockett, Tindall, Danielli,
Barkley, Dalzell, D. Barnes, Regan, Mallett, Borthwick, Grewcock, G. Thomas, N. Thomas, Lyle.
Replacements: Thirlby for Voyce (25), Mears for Regan (59), Emms for Mallett (49), Gabey for Grewcock (79),
Scaysbrook for G. Thomas (59).
Not Used: Chrystie, Cox.
Tries: Tindall.
Pens: Barkley 2.
Att: 10,826
Ref: R Goodliffe (Sheffield (RFU)).
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