Hooker Olivier Azam scored two tries as Gloucester matched Saracens into
submission at Kingsholm to preserve their position as unbeaten Zurich
Premiership leaders.
Gloucester opened up a six-point gap at the top after blitzing Saracens
through three touchdowns in 10 minutes either side of half-time when visiting
prop Andy Kershaw had been sin-binned.
Fly-half Ludovic Mercier finished with 24 points, including a try, while
centre Terry Fanolua and skipper Jake Boer also breached the Saracens' defence.
The only bleak moment for Gloucester was a second half injury sustained by
their exciting wing prospect Marcel Garvey, who was stretchered off following a
heavy collision.
Saracens were never seriously in contention, their cause not being helped by
fly-half Andy Goode missing three kicks at goal, as Gloucester topped 40 points
at home for the third successive time this season.
They had a bonus point secured by the hour mark, and then administered the
final blow in injury time when Mercier swept over after Saracens' prop Johnny
Marsters had been yellow-carded.
Gloucester made light of their absent skipper Phil Vickery, who was ruled out
because of a dead leg, and they warmed up impressively for next Saturday's
Heineken Cup opener against Munster, last season's beaten finalists, at
Kingsholm.
Saracens, having previously suffered two heavy defeats on the road this term,
went into action with internationals Kyran Bracken and Abdel Benazzi on the
bench, but it is doubtful whether they would have made much of an impression
from the start.
Saracens have never won a league match on Gloucester soil, while the leaders
boast an unbeaten Premiership record at Kingsholm stretching back to September
last year.
Fussy Irish referee Donal Courtney ensured that the early exchanges were of
the frustrating stop-start variety, and Mercier kicked three penalties to a
couple from Goode inside the first 25 minutes.
Gloucester, though, went for the kill after Kershaw was sent to the sin-bin
for a technical infringement.
Flanker Boer was driven over from a line-out just before the break, and then
Gloucester repeated the move on 42 minutes, with Azam the beneficiary on this
occasion.
Saracens briefly threatened a revival when wing Ben Johnston rounded off a
flowing move, but normal service was quickly resumed after scrum-half Andy
Gomersall and lock Mark Cornwell combined intelligently to send Fanolua
scampering clear.
Kershaw returned to the fray, but the damage had already been done with
Gloucester holding an unassailable 30-11 advantage.
Saracens' coach Wayne Shelford sent on Bracken and fly half substitute Nicky
Little with 20 minutes remaining, and although Little kicked a penalty just
before Garvey departed, Gloucester remained in complete control.
A crowd of almost 10,500 screamed for one final try, and it duly arrived in
stoppage time through Mercier, who finished with a touchdown, five conversions
and three penalties.
The Premiership now adjourns for a two-week Heineken Cup break, but on today's
evidence, Gloucester should have few problems picking up the reins again when
they travel to Wasps on October 26.
Gloucester:
Tries: Boer, Azam 2, Fanolua, Mercier.
Cons: Mercier 5. Pens: Mercier 3.
Gloucester: Paul, Garvey, Fanolua, Todd, Beim, Mercier,
Gomarsall, Woodman, Azam, Deacon, Eustace, Cornwell, Boer,
Buxton, Forrester.
Not Used: Amor, Simpson-Daniel, Stuart-Smith, Fidler, Fortey,
Roncero, Pearce.
Saracens:
Tries: Johnson.
Pens: Goode 2, Little.
Saracens: Castaignede, Johnson, Shanklin,
Sorrell, O'Mahony,
Goode, Williams, Kershaw, Ross, Marsters, Yandell, Hooper,
Chesney, Roques, Hill.
Not Used: Hannon, Cairns, Benazzi, Peacey, Bracken, Little,
Sparg.
Sin Bin: Kershaw (41), Marsters (80).
Att: 10,439
Ref: Donal Courtney (Ireland).
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