Super happy Maro is firing on all cylinders

■By GARY FITZGERALD

Saracens ………………………30pts

Tries: Caluori 4, O’Driscoll 51, Penalty 61, Bracken 63 Conversion: O’Driscoll 51 Penalties: Farrell 9, 25

Bristol Bears ………………….7pts

Try: Randall 46 Conversion: Worsley 47

MARO Itoje declared himself “super happy” as Saracens showed just why they have no desire to join the all-running, high-octane Premiership try-scoring circus.

The England captain is showing positive signs of benefiting from his summer international rest at home.

He was outstanding in a victory built on a formidable pack and defensive grit, shutting Bristol out in the first half where Sarries led 11-0 before opening their legs and running Bears ragged.

Itoje enthused: “I am super happy with this result. We don’t take wins for granted. Bristol have been on fire and we knew it would be a tall ask. All in all we’re super happy with the win.

“We knew they would be hard to break down and anyone can beat anyone in this league. We have to keep attacking each game as we did here.

“We must be a foundation to build on and keep improving each week and game.”

Bristol had come into the contest on the back of two wins but they got short shrift against opposition which outlined their plan under new boss Brendan Venter to “switch the script” in terms of proving potential success should be based on defence rather than just attacking skill and flair.

Owen Farrell was back pulling the strings on the field too at No.10 and the former England captain enjoyed his 80 minutes on the field.

Bears were left still waiting for their first win at this stadium having hit their heads against a solid black wall as Sarries rebounded from their loss to 14-man Sale.

Farrell sparked the move for the first try after four minutes which led to Calouri diving over in the corner for the opening try. His wide pass right was moved into the grateful hands of the young wing, and he had just enough gas to reach out and ground the ball.

Farrell had already made his impact on this contest – and kicked another penalty as Bears failed to release at a ruck.

Sarries lost lock Olamide Sodeke to the sin bin for connecting with George Taylor’s head with his left shoulder in contact. Taylor failed his HIA and had to be replaced.

Sarries defied the number disadvantage to force their visitors into giving away another penalty in front of the posts and Farrell made it two from two.

Jack Bracken’s diving catch caught Louis Rees-Zammit’s pass a few yards in front of his own line to defy Bears best chance of points.

Gas man: Noah Caluori dives to score for Saracens

PICTURES: Getty Images

Bristol did, however, begin the second half on the front foot and with a finely worked try. Harry Randall exchanged passes with Aidan Boshoff and the little scrum-half strolled clear with no opponent in sight to stop him. Sam Worsley converted but that was as good as it got for Bristol.

Sarries responded impressively and quickly with their next attack which led to replacement prop Alex O’Driscoll surging over from short-range. Their pack drew a penalty try with their driving maul collapsing and replacement prop Lovejoy Chawatama headed to the sin bin.

Jack Bracken put the finishing touches on a comprehensive victory when he ploughed over on the left and Sarries had made a big statement.

Bristol boss Pat Lam said: “Our defence was good but our attack was poor. It was frustrating. We were not blown out of the water as we have been here before and the guys kept fighting.

“You have to come here with the right mindset and physicality and we certainly brought that, we were right in the fight. We just couldn’t get our attack going at all because of execution. Here you’ve got to be precise, you’ve got to take your opportunities and we didn’t do that. But the big thing that I didn’t mind was some massive defensive efforts.”

Hair-raiser: Aidan Boshoff on the attack for Bears

CLOSE-UP

NOAH CALUORI Saracens wing V

LOUIS REES-ZAMMIT Bristol wing

Young gun Caluori demonstrated once again just why he is such an exciting, explosive prospect. He showed speed and desire to dive over for an early try; he tackled and defended well, and was always a real danger for Bears to fear with ball in hand. Rees-Zammit was eager to get ball in hand and produced the odd blistering run but the Welshman suffered for his team’s poor display and scoring chances were rare.