Ulster hugely disappointed with Saracens loss

Saracens 18 Ulster 10

Saracens kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals with victory over Ulster but the vast error count turned the clash into a huge disappointment.

Steve Diamond, Saracens’ director of rugby, had vowed his side would “smash” Ulster at Vicarage Road following last weekend’s 19-10 defeat at Ravenhill but his rallying cry was not mirrored on the pitch.

The Watford club were involved in a fractious battle up front but never had it their own way as Ulster, who paraded eight Ireland internationals, were happy to match their opponents’ aggression.

Elsewhere their play was severely restricted by a catalogue of unforced errors which meant they were unable to make the most of their possession, especially in the second half when they were camped in Ulster territory for long spells.

But tries from Ben Skirving and Kevin Yates helped lift them above Ulster in pool four with wins required from their remaining matches against Treviso and Biarritz to send them through to the knockout stages.

Ulster crossed through Tommy Bowe in the first half but their challenge wilted after the break when Saracens dominated and their chances of progressing in the competition appear dead and buried.

Andy Farrell’s hopes of making his Saracens debut were dashed when the former Great Britain rugby league skipper failed a fitness test on his back injury shortly before the game.

The Guinness Premiership clash with London Irish on December 27 is the next available opportunity for Farrell to play for the first time since making his high-profile cross-code switch eight months ago

Diamond will welcome his availability as Saracens lacked direction in midfield with Kiwi fly-half Glen Jackson, who finished with eight points, enduring a poor afternoon.

The midfield fired early on, however, as Saracens made a dream start with number eight Skirving gathering a perfect chip through from Ben Johnston and crossing under the posts. Jackson added the conversion

Thomas Castaignede’s slippery running had set up the initial field position but the Frenchman blundered in the sixth minute when his attempted drop goal was charged down by Neil McMillan

McMillan came up with the ball which was fed to Andrew Trimble and he drew the last line of defence before feeding Ireland team-mate Bowe who raced home.

Fly-half David Humphreys, who is reconsidering his decision to retire at the end of the season, improved the try and the match settled with both sides probing for weaknesses.

Saracens found a way through with Dan Scarbrough linking with Castaignede but the former Leeds full-back was penalised for not releasing the ball.

A 30-metre driving maul brought the home fans to their feet but all Saracens’ good work was undone with a knock on once the advance had been halted and scrum-half Kyran Bracken compounded matters by back chatting referee Joel Jutge.

The home side’s indiscipline continued with prop Kevin Yates sent to the sin bin for an off-the-ball incident involving Ulster number eight Roger Wilson and moments later the Irishmen squandered a half chance spilling the ball close to the line.

Jackson missed a penalty but there were few other opportunities for either side to snatch the lead with dropped passes taking their toll on momentum.

Saracens proved their scrummaging superiority with two minutes of the first half remaining, shoving Ulster back at one set-piece and then opting for another when Jutge had awarded them a penalty.

But Ulster wheeled them at the next scrum and won a penalty themselves, ending the danger which reappeared moments later when Trevor Vaikona threatened in the right corner before failing to gather the ball.

Saracens remained deep in Ulster territory and finally broke the deadlock with a catch and drive taking them 10 yards and over the line with Yates emerging with the ball.

Diamond’s men raced out of the starting blocks in the second half and should have extended their lead but skipper Hugh Vyvyan criminally overlooked the clear overlap on his left.

Saracens won a penalty but Jackson managed to hit both posts despite the simplicity of the kick, before atoning for his error by landing three points shortly after.

The match descended into a dreadful spectacle with a Humphreys penalty the only meaningful action until the match burst into life with two minutes to go.

Trimble broke from his own half and found Maggs who touched down but Scarbrough had managed to bundle Trimble a fraction into touch and the television match official concurred, leaving Ulster to reflect on what might have been.