Despair for Bears as Saracens steal glory

By GARY FITZGERALD

Saracens ………………………20pts

Tries: Dann 59, Segun 77, Hougaard 80

Conversions: Goode 59

Penalties: Goode 52

Bristol …………………………… 19pts

Tries: Thacker 38, Ibitoye 71

Penalties: MacGinty 11; Williams 49, 56

Francois Hougaard was labelled “real Hollywood” as the South African pounced deep into added on time for a try in the dying moments to break Bristol hearts and complete a dramatic Saracens fightback at StoneX Stadium.

The leaders looked destined to be the victims of a real upset by the side stuck firmly at the bottom of the Premiership table until firstly wing Rotimi Segun dashed over in the right corner, and then Hougaard did the same on the left hand side.

Springboks star Hougaard, 34, has had to kick his heals in frustrating at a lack of action since joining Sarries before Christmas following his spell with Wasps, but made a real dynamic impact on his debut.

Delighted Director of Rugby Mark McCall insisted: “Francois is real Hollywood isn't he! I'm not surprised. I have been incredibly impressed with the fact he has 40- odd caps with South Africa but he hasn't got close to our team since he's been here. But he hasn't complained. He has been unbelievable in training, taking younger players for extra sessions and he deserved to get his opportunity and I'm so pleased for him.

“The players never gave up. It was a ninepoint game and anything can happen. We could have kicked for the posts and got a losing bonus point but we didn't do that. We kicked to touch and got the try. It tells you something about the mentality of the players.”

Sarries had trailed by nine points with just three minutes remaining and Bears with their fans in full voice, were already looking forward to celebrating a rare win this season, when the contest turned upside down. Roared on by a home crowd which had been very much subdued for most of the contest, suddenly ramped up the volume and from trailing for 77 minutes, Hougaard became the hero of the hour. He finished off a fierce Sarries' move and he was mobbed by teammates.

It was a real smash and grab raid by a team which had been pretty much out-played in every department on the field by Bears, but who again establish an eight-point lead at the top of the table. While it was joy for the hosts, it was utter despair for the visitorss who still have just the three wins to their name and you would have cut the atmosphere on the long journey home on the bus to the West Country.

They had blown the four points and you could see the sheer agony on the face of their Director of Rugby Lam who walked quickly back towards the dressing room, knowing a big opportunity and a key victory had been thrown away.

Bristol had belied their position in the table. Indeed, they resembled the team sitting at the summit while Sarries looked anything but potential champions again.

AJ McGinty kicked them ahead and a try from hooker Harry Thacker increased that lead. James Williams and Alex Goode exchanged penalties before hooker Theo Dan crashed over for the hosts.

Wing Gabriel Ibotoye looked to have won it for the visitors with a try until Sarries' late, late show with firstly wing Segun stealing over for a score and in added time, Hougaard crept over on the left wing to be the hero and spark wild celebrations.