Sarries wing kings flew past Clermont

Saracens 30 – 23 Clermont

Two tries from Chris Ashton and David Strettle were enough to see off a strong Clermont side who were looking for revenge after Saracens demolished the French side 46 – 6 in last season’s semi – final.

Luckily the scoreline was much closer this time with winger Zac Guildford scoring two tries of his own and the Top 14 leader could have left Allianz Park victorious.

It didn’t take too long see the first try of the game as winger Ashton scored after three minutes when the ball went wide to Strettle whose showed his pace and his pass was touched by Clermont’s Wesley Fofana which left Ashton with a simple run in.

After missing a penalty the French side got their first try just before 10 minutes as Noa Nakaitaci broke the Sarries defence, but the Fijian winger was just short of the try line but once the ball went wide Guildford got his first of the game and with Camille Lopez adding the extras Clemont took the lead.

Lopez was at hand again scoring a penalty to extend the lead 5 – 10 but they could of taken a healthy lead going into half time as Fofana should have scored after a good driving maul from the line out and when the ball got to Lopez the fly half delivered a clever pop pass to the inside centre Fofana but he couldn’t get hold of the ball.

They were made to punish for not taking the opportunity as Richard Wigglesworth took a quick tap and the scrum half made 10 metres before feeding Strettle who dived under a covering tackle to make the scores level at half – time.

Half Time – Saracens 10 – 10 Clermont

The game sprung into life four minutes into the second half as Charlie Hodgson’s penalty gave the lead to the London club, however Clemont responded, scoring 10 points in 2 minutes and it started with Lopez’s surprise drop – goal, then Guildford showed great skill and athleticism to race onto and out jump Ashton to collect Ludovic Radoslavjevic’s box kick to stroll over to get his second converted try of the game.

Strettle replied two minutes later to score his second of the day as the ball got wide to the winger and the England International showed brilliant footwork and took advantage of a gap in the Clermont defence to touch down in the left corner and with Hodgson adding the extras the score was level 20 – 20.

As both sides fly half scored a penalty each but it was Lopez who lost is nerve missing his penalty. With 19 minutes to go the visitors looked to have scored their third try of the game as Sebastien Vahaamahina picked up a losse bal from the Sarries line out and burst his way to the try line, however the TMO ruled it out as his team mate Damien Chouly clearly took out Neil de Kock.

Saracens scored instantly as Hodgson kicked long and when Guildford and Nick Abendanon failed to claim the ball, Ashton was on hand to pick it up and score his second of the game and got the host’s the bonus point. 

Then Hodgson was on hand again to add the extras making it 30 – 23 it stayed like this for the rest of the match which left Clermont leaving with just a losing bonus point and Mark McCalls men were again winners in this Anglo – French battle.

Scorers

3 mins – Ashton (Try) – 5 – 0

9 mins – Gulidford (Try) – 5 – 5

9 mins – Lopez (Con) – 5 – 7

14 mins – Lopez (Pen) – 5 – 10

27 mins – Strettle (Try) – 10 – 10

Half – Time – Saracens 10 – 10 Clermont

44 mins – Hodgson (Pen) – 13 – 10

45 mins – Lopez (Drop Goal) – 13 – 13

46 mins – Gulidford (Try) – 13 – 18

47 mins – Lopez (Con) – 13 – 20

48 mins – Strettle (Try) – 18 – 20

49 mins – Hodgson (Con) – 20 – 20

51 mins – Lopez (Pen) – 20 – 23

56 mins – Hodgson (Pen) – 23 – 23

62 mins – Ashton (Try) – 28 – 23

63 mins – Hodgson (Con) – 30 - 23