Simon Danielli celebrated his call up to the Scotland A team with two superb
tries as beleaguered Bath gained a crucial victory - and a much needed bonus
point - in the battle to avoid relegation from the Zurich Premiership.
Right-wing Danielli beat four men in a weaving 28th minute run to the line to
put Bath in control and steady their nerves and they never relinquished their
grip.
The fallen West Country giants showed their determination to beat the drop
following a season of under-achievement by attacking Saracens from the first
whistle and were rewarded for their bold approach.
Late tries by left-wing Kevin Maggs and Samoan international Elvis Seveali'i,
who marked his debut by coming of the replacements' bench to score with his
first touch of the ball in English rugby, put the icing on the cake for Bath.
Despite being deprived of England back Mike Catt, who suffered a recurrence of
hamstring trouble, and Welsh pair Gareth Cooper and Gavin Thomas, required for
their country's international training camp, Bath turned in their most
convincing performance of the season.
They answered director of coaching Jack Rowell's call to get the basics right
and made their intentions clear as Catt's replacement, former Australia Under-21
fly-half Chris Malone, pushed Saracens back with some well directed kicks in the
opening stages.
But poor handling and over-anxiety resulted in some early chances going
begging until Danielli added to Malone's two penalties to stretch the lead to
13-3.
Bath showed their resilience in defence too, most notably as they repelled the
one real spell of Saracens pressure just before half-time.
An enterprising kick and 40 metre chase by visiting right-wing Richard
Haughton set up a scrum five metres from the line and Bath withstood six forward
drives.
The seventh came to grief as England centre Mike Tindall staked his claim for
a recall against Italy next week after missing the opening two Six Nations
fixtures through injury by hitting giant lock Abdel Benazzi so hard with his
crunching tackle that the French international spilled the ball two metres out.
Bath capitalised with the second half only a minute old as Danielli timed his
run to perfection for his second try.
Haughton was turned over in midfield by Bath and No8 Nathan Thomas began the
move which ended with flanker Adam Vander's perfectly timed short pass sending
Danielli over in the right-hand corner for an unconverted try.
Saracens introduced England scrum half Kyran Bracken, recalled by Clive
Woodward for last week's win over Wales, from the bench in the 53rd minute but
he was unable to provide the spark they lacked and their only reply was three
penalties from fly half Andy Goode.
There was a scare for Wales when their reinstated skipper Jonathan Humphreys
was led off in the 66th minute with a damaged left shoulder.
But the Bath hooker's replacement Lee Mears supplied the return pass which
enabled Maggs to capitalise on a missed tackle by Nathan McAvoy, Saracen's
recent recruit from Rugby League, to run in his side's third try in the 65th
minute.
Five minutes later Samoan international Seveali'i made his dream start taking
the ball inside his own 22 and sprinting 70 metres to dive over by the
right-hand corner flag, becoming an instant hero for the Bath fans who chanted
"Elvis, Elvis" before Malone added the conversion.
Bath: Perry, Danielli, Crockett, Tindall, Maggs, Malone,
A. Williams, Barnes, Humphreys, Mallett, Borthwick, Grewcock,
Beattie, Vander, N. Thomas.
Replacements: Blake, Mears, Galasso, Seveali'i, Barkley,
Scaysbrook, Lloyd.
Tries: Danielli 2, Maggs, Seveali'i.
Cons: Malone 2.
Pens: Malone 2.
Saracens: Sparg, Haughton, Castaignede, Horan, O'Mahony, Goode,
Williams, Califano, R. Russell, Storey, Benazzi, Yandell,
Peacey, Hill, Chesney.
Replacements: Marsters, Cairns, Hooper, Roques, Bracken, Johnston,
McAvoy.
Pens: Goode 3.
Att: 7,290
Ref: Ashley Rowden (RFU).
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