thnks to Daniel Davis

By The Saracens
September 7 2024

Little DG and I have always enjoyed the preseason trip to Bedford so it was hard to believe that our last visit was in 2018! Fortunately not much has changed and Bedford remains the “proper rugby club” it has always been. A compact little ground with a small grandstand where supporters sit shoulder to shoulder with both teams. A bar serving real beer at a reasonable price. Locally run burger bars where you can still get a cheeseburger for around £5! Free parking round the corner. Lots of keen passionate supporters cheering on their local club.

The first appearance of the season, albeit a friendly and only around half strength, is always a special occasion. The whole season lies before us: what will it bring. Well first the new kit which was a proper Sarries kit. No gimmicks, no flashy bits just a nice traditional mainly black, undersold shirt and shorts. Lovely. (Less keen on the flashy bits on the training top but at least it’s just that).

The starting Sarries team featured a sprinkling of first team stalwarts: Daly, Tompkins, Loz, Van Zyl, Willis, Christie (Onyeama-Christie as it seems we must now refer to him), Tizard and Dan along with a first look at Fergus Burke (on whom so much depends) & Phil Brantingham. I understand Bedford’s starting 15 was pretty near full strength. Our referee was Andrew Jackson who seemed to have decided that offside and throwing straight were at best optional and all the 50:50’s should go to the underdogs to make a game of it.

From our seat quite low down in the “grandstand” it was easy to see the lie of the land (as it were) which meant the first half for Sarries was uphill: in more ways than one.

I won’t dwell on the first 40 minutes: not a half to remember. Our scrum was bullied early days (we should know better than to take Championship club scrummaging lightly), Sarries seemed unable to convert any opportunities they had, Van Zyl had a half to forget and discipline was awful. On one occasion a Bedford penalty was marched forward 10m twice for dissent (not sure who but probably Loz who seemed particularly frustrated with the officials). Daly was everywhere on the pitch and one of the few positives along with Willis and Christie who seemed to be the only line-out option. Brandon Jackson was a revelation on the wing looking for work (in contrast to Elliott on the other wing who was pretty anonymous). Sarries took the lead via Tom Willis and Burke converted only for Bedford pressure to produce the equaliser from Jac Arthur and then as half time approached a second try (unconverted) from Luke Frost after a succession of 5m penalties. Sarries might have got a try back right on half time but the ball was held up and that was that. An underwhelming first half to say the least. Of concern was the lack of dominance in the scrum which meant Burke had little opportunity to show what he could do as he was always back pedalling.

The second half saw Hallet replace Tompkins and Crean replace Brantingham. It also saw an early Bedford score when Alfie Garside ran through what passed for the Sarries defence to score although again the conversion was missed. Loz was an unhappy bunny and another word in Mr Jackson’s ear saw him yellow carded – not a common occurrence in friendly. As is often the case Sarries looked better in adversity and Jackson scored a lovely solo try from way inside his own half. Burke couldn’t add the extras. That was his last act of the night as he was replaced by Segun but on that showing we will see a lot more of this young man.

As Bedford began to tire, Sarries picked up the pace. Christie scored, the conversion putting Sarries back in the lead, and Loz returned to complete his penance. With the forwards now looking far more dominant at the scrum after some personnel changes, a penalty try was awarded (being a friendly no card for the home team – fair enough). A change of half backs saw young Charlie Bracken, and Louie Johnson take the field and immediately the pace went up a couple of notches. Bracken put Hallet in for another score. As more of the starters departed for the youngsters, the whole tempo increased and Sarries looked much more like the Premiership side. Soon only Willis and Christie remained of the starting 15. Another score from Christie effectively secured the win and a final score from Angus Hall from the kick off saw Sarries complete a 17-47 victory. Not sure what Andy Christie had done as he remained on the field for pretty much the full 80 minutes!

It's difficult to know how much to read into these sort of games. Certainly there was a lot of rustiness in the first half, and the youngsters who came on after half time looked a revelation. Charlie Bracken appears to be a real chip off the old block and I hope he’ll get some first team appearances in the coming weeks: tonight he was by far and away the better of the 2 scrum halves on show. Louie Johnson looks useful too – difficult to know what to make of Burke, he looked solid but without the dominant pack that Johnson had to follow he wasn’t really able to display his wares. Daly was up for it, Jackson has pace and the look of an Ashton about him, Loz was generally pissed off and Tompkins did his stuff but already looks a bit knackered! Christie was probably man of the match: it’s great to see him fit and well even if his new “handle” is going to cause us reporters to struggle, and Willis looked decent too. The starting pack was worrying though, I really do hope this isn’t a sign of things to come.

So to next week at home to Scarlets. It will be interesting to see which team is selected. It feels like this is going to be a transitional year with the passing of Faz and the Vunipolas. New talent will take time to bed in but the youngsters were a real breath of fresh air and I hope they get the chance to showcase their talents.

Bedford

James, A Garside, Titherington, Le Bourgeois, Adamson, Matavesi, Day: Jack, Herman, O’Connor, Ward, Woodford, Frost, Arthur, Tuilagi.

Rep: Conway, Langdon, Heffernon, Wells, Fish, Perkins, King, Lennon, Maisey, Tapley, J Elliott, J Garside, Worley

Saracens

Daly, Elliott, Lozowski, Tompkins, Jackson, Burke, Van Zyl, Brantingham, Dan, Hoskins, Wilson, Tizard, Onyeama-Christie, Knight, Willis.

Rep: Adejimi, Crean, Beaton, Sodeke, Hamnick, C Bracken, Johnson, Segun, Eke, Hallett, Hall, J Bracken, Wilson, Adegbamile

Bedford (17)  Tries: Arthur, Frost, A Garside   Conv: Matavesi

Saracens (47) Tries: Willis, Jackson, Christie (2), Pen, Hallett, Hall  Conv: Burke (2)  Johnson (3)

Attendance 3,502

Referee: Andrew Jackson