After controlling the game in the opening salvos, Bath took the lead after six minutes when the referee reversed a penalty to Saracens because Cobus Visagie was a little over ambitious with his boot on a Bath player. However it was the home side who scored the first try of the game. On their first attack of the game the Bath centres left a gap for Sorrell who dashed through and fed Kameli Ratuvou who scored quite easily. Glen Jackson's conversion made the score 7-3 after 13 minutes.

However Bath stepped up their pace and demonstrated an attacking style and were rewarded as they re-took the lead within five minutes when Duncan Bell off-loaded to Barkley in the tackle who fed Danny Grewcock to set up the next phase which saw Michael Stephenson feed Nick Abendanon who ran in for his score. Olly Barkley's kick took the score to 7-10.

Picture courtesy Empics

Unfortunately Bath's scrum continued to under perform this year when Dave Flatman was (again) penalised for dropping his shoulder and Glen Jackson had little trouble in drawing the scores level at 10-10. Fortunately Barkley had an opportunity to re-take the lead within a few minutes through his boot and he didn't disappoint the travelling supporters as he moved his team on to 10-13.

Bath continued to dominate the game both in territory and possession after 30 minutes and Saracens conceded a penalty at the edge of their twenty-two which ensured Barkley gave Bath a six point lead. However, within minutes, Saracens were close to scoring their second try but Jackson managed a forward pass on the Bath line as he tried to get Ratuvou in to the corner. They didn't walk away from this attack empty handed as Bath had previously been accused of off-side and Jackson kicked a simple penalty to make the score 13-16.

Picture courtesy Empics

Saracens almost scored on half-time when Ratuvou just put a foot in touch a yard short of the goal line but this was only a temporary let-off because Cairns got the ball from De Kock on the next attack to score the home side's second try. The Jackson conversion made the score 20-16. A late penalty saw Jackson give Saracen's a seven point 23-16 lead at the break despite the fact that Bath had generally been in control of the half.

Saracens got off to a perfect start to the second half with a simple drop goal from Glen Jackson to make the score 26-16. Danny Grewcock gave away a penalty from the re-start, to put his side under pressure once again, by taking out Hugh Vyvyan as he leapt for the ball. The Bath giant was again penalised for pulling Vyvyan down at the next lineout and this gave the home team a successful opportunity to catch and drive from close to the Bath goal line. Kevin Yates delivered the fatal blow to take the core to 31-16. Jackson's kick made the score 33-16 and coach Meehan decided it was time to replace Flatman with David Barnes. 

Picture courtesy Empics

The wheels on Bath's game finally flew in four different directions as Lee Mears missed his target at an attacking lineout only to see Ben Johnston grab the ball and run in 45 yards to score Saracens' fourth try. Glen Jackson took the score to 40-16.

Rob Hawkins was sin binned and Jackson scored another penalty to make the score 43-16. This was followed up with a fifth and sixth try for Saracens from Rodd Penney and a late try from Jonny F.

It's going to be a long winter!

Final score 55-23.

Referee: Sean Davey

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