Saracens set up a Pool Four showdown with Biarritz for a place in the Heineken
Cup quarter-finals after claiming a maximum five-point haul against Treviso.
But their ragged performance in dispatching the group's whipping boys will
have not have troubled the French giants ahead of next Saturday's clash at the
Parc des Sports Aguilera.
They were exposed in defence by the spirited Italians and despite crossing the
line four times, their attacking play lacked cohesion.
Dan Scarbrough, Dan Harris, Kevin Yates and Mark Bartholomeusz touched down
with the near-immaculate boot of Glen Jackson doing the rest, but the contest
was far closer than it should have been.
South African fly-half Marius Goosen spearheaded Treviso's challenge with a
solo try topping a 22-point haul, while Brendan Williams also crossed for the
visitors.
Victory against Biarritz would send Saracens through to the Heineken Cup
knockout stages for the first time but on today's evidence success against one
of the competition's favourites appears remote.
Steve Diamond's side will certainly have to tighten up defensively with
Treviso's opening try four minutes into today's encounter the stuff of
nightmares.
Goosen ran between a static Ben Johnston and Thomas Castaignede with
non-existent tackling assisting his 20-yard charge to the line.
He converted his own try but Saracens restored their lead in the seventh
minute with slick handling handing giving Scarbrough a simple run into the right
corner.
Jackson added the extras but Treviso edged back into the lead with two
quick-fire penalties from Goosen who was pulling the strings to good effect for
the Italian underdogs.
The game continued to be played at a frantic pace with tries coming at each
end within the space of a minute.
Saracens number eight Ben Skirving nearly crossed after breaking from a scrum
and the ball was recycled to Jackson whose delayed pass sent Harris skipping
over.
Treviso replied through Williams whose optimistic chip and chase paid
dividends when the ball bounced between Bartholomeusz and Johnston and straight
into his arms.
The full-back juggled with possession but managed to hold on and completed his
run-in. Both conversions were missed but Jackson restored parity with a penalty
shortly after.
A 30th minute catch and drive saw Kevin Yates crash over with Jackson making
the conversion but a drop goal by Stuart Legg kept Treviso in touch at 25-21.
Saracens entered the break with an 11-point cushion, however, when Scarbrough
collected Jackson's crossfield kick and offloaded in the tackle to Bartholomeusz
who dashed home to secure the bonus point.
Two Goosen penalties sandwiched one from Jackson early in the second half but
Treviso's chances were hit when substitute hooker Fabio Ongaro was sin-binned
for diving in at a ruck.
Saracens could not make the breakthrough despite their numerical superiority
and Treviso actually shaded the game in Ongaro's absence, finishing the 10
minutes with another Goosen penalty.
At 35-30 the match was precariously balanced and with Treviso's confidence
growing, home fans were subjected to a nail-biting finish.
Jackson missed a late drop goal which would have given Saracens some breathing
space but they were forced to defend a late five metre scrum before holding out
for victory.
E-mail Article 
Print-Friendly
Subscribe to RSS Feed 
Post to del.icio.us
Facebook