Saracens sit second in the Gallagher Premiership table after a dramatic 15-12 win over Bath; Owen Farrell’s 77th-minute penalty secured a late victory at the Recreation Ground and put them on the brink of the play-offs.
Last updated: 04/26/24 11:08 p.m.
Tom Parton celebrates with teammate Elliot Daly after Saracens claim dramatic victory
Reigning champions Saracens put one foot in the Gallagher Premiership play-offs after Owen Farrell’s late penalty sank title rivals Bath 15-12 at the Recreation Ground.
Farrell’s 78th-minute goal saw Saracens climb above Bath into second place, three points behind leaders Northampton, after a performance crackling with intensity.
But they had to withstand a fierce fightback from Bath 12 points behind as tries either side of the hour mark from substitutes Thomas du Toit and Cameron Redpath, as well as a Ben Spencer conversion, threatened a famous home victory.
Saracens took the lead thanks to first-half tries from wingers Tom Parton and Rotimi Segun, while Farrell kicked a conversion and a winning penalty. The former England captain, who will join French club Racing 92 this summer, impressed throughout, combining impeccable footwork with astute tactical appreciation.
Owen Farrell’s late spot-kick earned Saracens a valuable victory
The end result was a priceless victory on the road as Saracens aim for a sixth Premiership crown in the last 10 seasons.
How Bath surpassed Friday’s thriller
Bath were eager to bring pace and width to the ball, with crosses Max Ojomoh and Ollie Lawrence prominent in promising early flurries, but Saracens struck first after 12 minutes.
Full-back Elliot Daly and center Lucio Cinti made their way behind the Bath defence, before Cinti’s midfield partner Nick Tompkins threw a long pass and Parton finished comfortably. Farrell missed the conversion attempt on the touchline but Saracens were on their way past England head coach Steve Borthwick.
Saracens’ Tom Parton scores his team’s first try during the Gallagher Premiership match at the Recreation Ground, Bath
Kicking dominated the contest, with Saracens content to play a tight game around key ball carriers Ben Earl and Juan Martin Gonzalez, and Bath struggled to break down such an impressive set-up.
Things picked up 10 minutes before half-time when Saracens’ England lock Maro Itoje made one-on-one contact with Bath number eight Alfie Barbeary. Referee Luke Pearce consulted televised match official David Rose before showing a yellow card, although it could have been much worse for Itoje.
Saracens progressed heading into the break when prop Eroni Mawi’s pass sent number 8 Tom Willis clear, and it took an outstanding tackle from Will Muir on Gonzalez to prevent a try. Bath’s defense was then unlocked thanks to a well-placed Farrell kick, and Segun landed in the corner before Farrell’s conversion opened up a 12-0 lead.
Saracens had the bit between their teeth, and Earl’s pass to Parton split the Bath defense at halfway before Joe Cokanasiga managed to stop any further try threats.
It took Bath 56 minutes to establish any threat inside Saracens’ 22, but they made it count after two consecutive lineouts ended with Du Toit falling from close range.
Bath did it again six minutes later, inflicting further pain on the Saracens defense as another relentless maul this time delivered a try to Redpath, with Spencer’s conversion leveling things early in the final quarter.
But some opportunism from Farrell inside his 22 sparked a thrilling Saracens counter-attack and created a scrum platform just five yards from the Bath line. And Bath couldn’t hold on, conceding a penalty which Farrell duly landed in front of the posts.
Farrell hails ‘huge’ victory
Owen Farrell, speaking to TNT Sports: “It’s a tough old place to live in. It always has been, but especially here
year. They are a higher, higher side. For us to come here and stay in the fight like we did after some tough results we’ve had lately, it was great.
“We came back to being a little more ourselves today. We felt more comfortable. It wasn’t perfect by any means. There were a lot of mistakes, but we fought for each other. others and we enjoyed doing it.”
And after?
Leicester Tigers host fourth-placed Bristol on Saturday (3pm), while Harlequins take on Northampton Saints at the Twickenham Stoop (3.05pm). Struggling Gloucester host Exeter Chiefs on Sunday (3 p.m.), while Newcastle Falcons host Sale at Kingston Park (3 p.m.).
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