Bath v Saracens - Aviva Premiership Final. First Half As Sir Saw It

So it’s here at last: the Aviva Premiership final. Twenty two rounds, interrupted by international, Anglo-Welsh and European competitions, have finally brought us to Twickenham where two of the best teams will face each other in one final battle. Saracens have returned after avenging their extra time defeat against Northampton last year, whereas Bath have made it to Twickenham after a eleven year drought away. Today is our last offering of Premiership rugby until October, what with the World Cup taking centre stage (rightfully) after the summer. And with it comes a mouth-watering selection of potential international all competing for the right to return here in September 18^th.

But back to today. The current head to head standings between these two sides are 12 Bath wins, 22 Saracens wins and 2 draws. This season, both teams won their respective home ties, and Bath come off the back of seven successive wins in the Premiership. Saracens have won the last two games they’ve played, and have finished fourth in the table. To my knowledge, no team has ever lifted the trophy having come fourth in the league, but Saracens will be hoping to be the first. Twickenham has been turned pretty blue, sat here in the commentary bench, so the noises will be huge if Bath can lift the silverware at the end of the day.

But that was before the game kicked off. Hindsight says I should’ve done this sooner, but hey ho. The roar at Twickenham was immense. A fumble by Saracens and a kick through by Rokodunguni forced Sarries to defend their lines early. A clearing kick, and Bath opted for the quick line out. A high tackle by Farrell though stopped Watson’s run, and puts him to the deck. Ford pushed it towards the corner and the Bath forwards stepped up for the lineout. From my seat, it’s clear to see the diamond formation that Bath like to run, but the typical Saracens defence has forced them back and a turn over made Banahan dart back into the 22. Saracens needed no other invitation to attack but a chip through by Farrell and a kick to touch by Stringer ended the play, giving respite after a frantic first five minutes. Strettle is soon invited to chance his arm, and makes a good 30 metres on the right wing. Bath on the back foot, and suddenly, TRY for Owen Farrell, as the ball worked its way across the field. Farrell spied a gap and darted through after a clever dummy to split the defence. Converting his own try, Farrell has had a good start, though knocking off the soundman’s headphones isn’t always helpful. 8 minutes gone, and Bath 0 – 7 Saracens. Watson is also replaced by Devoto for a HIA.

Both teams displayed their kicking abilities and defensive prowess, with Saracens eventually taking advantage of a penalty to give a line out. Referee Barnes was clearly setting his stall early. Big hits are common in a game of big players, and both teams were showing their strength early. Strettle fumbled a chance to make a second score, as Farrell kicked across to space, and Strettle lost the aerial battle with Banahan, knocking it on in the process. Our first scrum came on the Bath 5 metre line, and predictably, ended with a free kick for Bath, with Du Plessis going early. Still, 12 minutes without a scrum is good going!

TRY – Saracens! Bath looked to be flowing, but a fumble by Batty knocked the ball loose, only to be picked up by the newly England selected Jamie George, who ran 40m, outpacing Ford and Eastmond, to score the second try. Bath 0 – 12 Saracens, as Farrell pushes the kick to the outside post. 14 minutes gone and this is very exciting!

Our second scrum gave a penalty to Saracens, I thought for James driving across at the angle, but apparently it was given against Wilson. (Check later). Saracens looked to attack from the line out, and were met by a solid Bath defence, resulting in a choke tackle and a turn over for the boys in blue. And on the 20^th minute mark, the announcement of the substitution made permanent made the bath supporters call for Farrell’s head. Scrum number 3 was also a penalty to Saracens, who opted for a kick to the posts, hoping to widen the gap to 15, and he did, successfully. Mind you, I was getting a little sick of Stand Up For The Saracens by this point.

24 minutes, and Bath were getting exciting. Rokodunguni started a good move to press downfield, but some unimaginative box kicking by Stringer ended up with a deficit of 30m. Another run from Rokodunguni and as he kicked ahead, he looked to be checked off the ball. The flag from JP Doyle came out, so Barnes went to the TMO. It looked nasty, but “Penalty Only” was the call. Ford slotted the kick, making the score Bath 3 – 15 Saracens with 27 minutes gone. The chat I had with some supporters agreed that it wouldn’t be a penalty try, but there were debates over if a yellow card should be issued.

Bath were forced to defend their lines heavily, with the kicking battle between Devoto and Goode resulting in a lineout 5m from the Bath goal line. Bath cleared, but mutterings of concern were starting to break out around me. And rightfully so, as it turned out, as a turn over to Saracens saw Strettle receive an offload from his boots and target the line. Bath were forced to go narrow as the Saracens pack pushed the line. But the turn came as the ball went wide, and Wyles dotted down at 33 minutes. Farrell converted Bath 3 – Saracens 22, and Hargreaves is replaced for a HIA with Wray taking his place.

Bath were penalised for Wilson pulling the jersey of Itoje, and Farrell lined up to take the kick at goal. The score of Bath 3 – 25 Saracens seemed to be rather gloomy and the noise present in the first quarter has all but died away by the 38^th minute.

Part 2 available here!