By Ben Baker
Gloucester came up short in a 26-35 defeat to Saracens who got their season off to a winning start at Kingsholm. The visitors scored five tries on their way to victory, including a landmark try from Rotimi Segun to help secure the win. Meanwhile, Gloucester picked up a try bonus point thanks to two late tries.
It was a sloppy first ten minutes with both sides showing symptoms of new season-syndrome with many penalties given and both teams struggling at the set piece.
The visitors opened the scoring just shy of the 20 minute mark courtesy of Rotimi Segun who got on the end of a chip from Elliott Daly and was able to blast past George Barton to score in the corner. This wash is 40th try for Saracens.
It was a debut disaster for Gareth Anscombe as the Welsh international was caught out by the high line speed of the Saracens as Ivan van Zyl intercepted a pass in front of the Shed and was able to break away to score the second try for the visitors.
Tobias Elliott added to the Cherries’ misery after Saracens put together many phases on Gloucester’s tryline before Elliot Daly flung the ball out to the winger who scored after a wonderful step.
The last five minutes of the half saw the momentum shift into Gloucester’s favour and The Cherries were able to capitalise on their opportunity as Zach Mercer opted to tap and go from a penalty before finding Freddie Thomas who put Gloucester on the scoreboard just before half time.
Half time: Gloucester 7-17 Saracens
However, Gloucester’s late try was immediately canceled out after a poor box kick from Welsh scrum-half Tomos Williams failed to leave the ‘22 and Andy Christie was able to score from the line out.
Fergus Burke was able to increase the Saracens lead even more with a penalty in the 54th minute.
Freddie Clarke made an instant impact off the bench, scoring a try with his first touch of the ball out on the wing after some quick hands from Gloucester found the space out wide.
Saracens were once again able to snap straight back as Christie was able to score from a lovely set play from the line out where van Zyl found the flanker in space to score his second of the day.
Burke was able to score his second penalty of the day to give the London club a 23 point lead.
To give Gloucester a small bit of hope, Jack Clement managed to score a try, capitalising on a huge opportunity for Gloucester where they had the visitors under constant pressure. George Barton was able to convert as the Kingsholm atmosphere began to build up.
Gloucester got one last try with two minutes to go courtesy of Seb Blake as Gloucester continued to pile on the pressure in the closing stages of the game. Barton once again converted the try to narrow the gap to nine points. This try secured Gloucester one bonus point.
Full time: Gloucester 26-35 Saracens
GLOUCESTER: 26
TRIES: 4 (Thomas 40’, Clarke 57’, Clement 72’, Blake 78’)
CONVERSIONS: (Barton 40’. 72’, 78’)
15 George Barton 14 Christian Wade 13 Chris Harris 12 Max Llewellyn 11 Ollie Thorley 10 Gareth Anscombe 9 Tomos Williams 1 Mayco Vivas 2 Jack Singleton 3 Afolabi Fasogbon 4 Freddie Thomas 5 Matias Alemanno 6 Ruan Ackermann 7 Lewis Ludlow (c) 8 Zach Mercer
REPLACEMENTS: 16 Seb Blake 17 Jamal Ford-Robinson 18 Kirill Gotovtsev 19 Freddie Clarke 20 Jack Clement 21 Caolan Englefield 22 Charlie Atkinson 23 Seb Atkinson
SARACENS: 35
TRIES: 5 (Segun 17’, Van Zyl 25’, Elliott 35’, Onyema-Christie 43’,61’)
PENALTIES: 2 (Burke 54’,65’)
CONVERSIONS: (Burke 26’,43’
15 Elliot Daly 14 Tobias Elliott 13 Alex Lozowski 12 Nick Tompkins 11 Rotimi Segun 10 Fergus Burke 9 Ivan van Zyl 1 Rhys Carre 2 Theo Dan 3 Marco Riccioni 4 Maro Itoje (c) 5 Hugh Tizard 6 Andy Onyeama-Christie 7 Toby Knight 8 Tom Willis
REPLACEMENTS: 16 Jamie George 17 Sam Crean 18 Alec Clarey 19 Harry Wilson 20 Nick Isiekwe 21 Ben Earl 22 Charlie Bracken 23 Alex Goode
ATTENDANCE: 11,148
Five talking points: Gloucester 26-35 Saracens
- Lacklustre debut for Fergus Burke
Fergus Burke made his highly anticipated for debut for Saracens after his transfer over from the Crusaders. Many people expected great things from the fly half. However, he had a fairly quiet debut, not shining but not doing anything particularly wrong. Saracens fans will be hoping the England & Scotland qualified fly half can make more of an impact in upcoming games.
- Tomos Williams impresses on his debut for The Cherries
Welsh scrum half Tomos Williams made his debut for Gloucester today after his move over from Cardiff. It was clear to see the impact he made, adding so much energy and pace to The Cherries. It is safe to say that he will be a vital asset for his side this season.
- Gloucester fans still not happy despite bonus point try
Despite only losing by nine points and scoring a bonus point try against one of the strongest teams in the league, Gloucester fans still are not happy. The Cherries’ performance today saw them struggle at the set piece and struggle to retain possession, there is still a lot of work to do for George Skivington’s side if they want to improve on last season’s performance.
- Elliott Daly shines for the Sarries
The game saw Elliott Daly show his true ability, showing fantastic vision throughout the game with a chip assisting one try and a long pass out to the wing assisting another. It was a brilliant performance from the Englishman whois definitely on for a great season if his form continues.
- Quiet return to England for Christian Wade
The game saw Christian Wade make his return to English rugby for the first time in six years after his departure from Wasps in 2018. Wade made one try saving tackle but was kept fairly quiet on the ball by the Saracens defence. The winger has his eyes on breaking the record for top try scorer ever in the Premiership.