From the rousing welcome given to the players as they ran out, it became obvious that this game was a bit more than "just another match".   An early Jackson penalty was soon enhanced with a try remarkable for the running line of Alex Goode to create the quick ball, along with the fine offload from Chris Jack to enable Nick Lloyd to score the first try.   The reactions of both players and fans told anyone watching what the score meant to them all.

But it wouldn't be Saracens without the occasional blip; an over-deliberate kick from Jackson was charged down not 5 minutes later, with Dean Schofield galloping 50m to touch down for Sale.  Lee Thomas, kicking in place of Charlie Hodgson who was injured in the warm-up, added the extras and it was suddenly 8-7.   Once half time was reached, Sarries had taken an 14-10 lead, uncontested scrums were de rigeur (via injuries to both tryscorer Lloyd and Cencus Johnston) and both back rows were playing out of their respective skins.   No doubt, Saracens were "up for it", Sale (Manchester) knew that they had a game on their hands. 

The half time break was enlivened only by watching Moses nearly tip the entire contents of the tombola over the pitch, plus a certain R.Hill sprinting along the sidelines.  One of those statements is true.

Although Saracens probably had not scored as many points in the first half as their pressure and play merited, the lead was well deserved.  Sharks' had the first opportunity to score in the later of the two forty minute halves, full back McLeod passing the ball to the touch judge when a simple pop to the supporting David Doherty would have taken advantage of the 2-on-1 situation presented to him.   But Saracens did put the first points on the board, a niggly set of rucks and mauls eventually being ended by sympathetic passes from the outstanding Van Heerden and the bizarrely-underrated-by-some Jack to send Noah Cato flying in for his 9th try of the season.   21-10 with the conversion and Saracens again in control.

Despite that control, Sale (non-boat version) kept coming at Saracens, with both Thomas and number 8 Lobbe at the heart of everything they did.  With 20 minutes left, Thomas slid underneath Haughton to touch down in the corner, 21-15 as the bonus 2 points drifted wide.   Two minutes later, 21-18, Alex Goode lucky not to see yellow as he obstructed flying winger Doherty.   Another Jackson penalty, further replacements (including a welcome return to the team for Kris Chesney, "la carte jaune monsieur?  Mais non!") and some concerted Sale (non-yachting) pressure made the score 24-18 with three minutes to go, at which point the visitors took advantage of some slack Saracens work at the rear of the ruck to allow Dean Schofield to score his second try, 24-23.  The fat lady got off her seat in the East Stand, gargled, and started the warm-up arpeggios.  Sadly, she must have put Lee Thomas off as he hooked the simple conversion to the left of the uprights.

When Rodd Penney shoved David Doherty into touch with 0:00 on the clock, the collective sigh of relief from the players and supporters could be heard from miles away.  After a traumatic week, the players of Saracens had re-grouped, taken it upon themselves to put in a performance of which they and the supporters could be proud and take the 4 points.   The group huddle which took place after the final whistle spoke volumes about what is happening at the club - injured players limped on, coaches, other people involved in the club, all stood bound as one on the pitch.  And once they had spoken in that private huddle, the togetherness of the 22 players as they came over to the Lower Rous shone through.

The message was very clear - whatever else happens, the players, coaches and support staff have stood together over this week. the week which Eddie Jones has described as "the worst week I've ever had in rugby" and today was a small reward.  It wasn't quite a message to SAIL, but it was mighty close - the club spirit is alive and well, the players and the supporters care about this club massively and the heart will not be ripped out of it.

Stories now circulate about the new DoR taking the job "only...because I see it as a challenge to create a team that will be supported by South Africans abroad".   Stories now circulate about Eddie Jones being "100% disappointed" by the events of the week and the direction the club seems to be taking.  Even the programme seemed to be unsure which way to go, with Nigel's column seemingly being a re-hash of old material and Edward's column using the immortal phrase "the management will work to produce a club that....treats it (sic) players better than any club in the world".  Irony?  After the events of the last seven days and their response today, the players deserve far better than the treatment some have received this week and a whole lot more.  Who knows what will be the outcome of the current issues, but today's 4 points were about club spirit, determination and togetherness - well done everyone, mission accomplished.

Saracens : Goode, Haughton, Ratuvou, Powell, Cato, Jackson, Marshall, Lloyd, Cairns, Johnston, Jack, Vyvyan, Van Heerden, Saull, Skirving.  Reps : Visagie (for Johnston), Seymour (for Lloyd), Kyriacou (for Visagie), Chesney (for Jack), Barritt (for Powell), Penney (for Haughton), Wilson (for Marshall).

Sale Sharks : MacLeod, Bell, Keil, Thomas, Doherty, Hodgson, Wigglesworth, Faure, Briggs, Roberts, Schofield, Cockbain, C Jones, Abraham, Lobbe.  Reps : Turner (for Roberts), M. Jones (for Turner), Leck (for Wigglesworth), Cox (for Cockbain), D.Tait (for Faure), Kuadey (for Doherty).

Ref : Tim Wigglesworth

Att : 8,311 - more tense finishes like that, we'll have 15,000 every week ;o)

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