News

Jan 13, 2008, 7:13 am
Saracens 1st XV suffered a club record defeat in the EDF competition on Saturday, losing 43-0 to a well-drilled Kingston RFC side at Bramley Road this weekend.

Kingston showed all of the form that has made them the Surrey 1 League leaders this season, making very few unforced errors, and working patiently to create and execute scoring opportunities. They are worthy winners, and we wish them well in the competition going forward.

Saracens contained Kingston well in the opening 30 minutes, allowing the vistors just one well-worked try.

The game turned on the half-hour mark, when at 0-5 down Sarries missed a relatively straightforward penalty, and Gillings was sin-binned for foul play in a subsequent period of good Saracens pressure in the Kingston 22. Down to 14 men, Saracens leaked two further tries, and found themselves 0-19 behind at the half-way point.

It would have taken a supreme effort by Saracens to turn the game around, but despite good work from the pack, possession was often squandered through poor execution at critical moments. Edwards was yellow carded in the 2nd half, during which time Kingston added another 7 points. A good series of attacking phases from Saracens set up a couple of scoring chances close to the Kingston line, but overlaps were squandered and the opportunities went begging. Meanwhile, Kingston's patient phase play produced a steady flow of points, with Saracens resolute defence being outflanked time and again.

"The players deserve credit for the way they kept their spirits up for the full 80 minutes" said Colin Veitch "Suffering a major defeat like this is never easy to take, but Kingston have shown the guys exactly what it takes to succeed at this level, and now we have a new benchmark to aim for"

"We know we are a much better side than we showed today" confirmed 1st XV Captain Nick Bird "We're a young side, and we're still learning. We will make sure that we take these lessons into the League & Middlesex Cup competitions now"

Players and Coaches would like to thank all those Saracens supporters who came out to support the team - this was much appreciated. Sorry there was not too much to cheer about - we'll put that right next Saturday in the top-of-the-table clash against Old Merchant Taylors....

Jan 9, 2008, 4:51 am
Saracens 1st XV host Kingston RFC in the last 32 of the EDF National Junior Vase competition at Bramley Road this Saturday 12th January, kick off 2pm

Saracens are one of only two Senior Middlesex clubs still in the competition, following fine away wins in Surrey and Cambridgeshire in previous rounds.

"The guys are very motivated for this one and we're determined to try and win our way through to the Twickenam EDF final" said Saracens Director of Rugby Colin Veitch "Kingston arrive at Saracens this Saturday unbeaten in their League, and top of Surrey Division 1. However, we're happy in the role of underdog, and think we're capable of presenting them with a few problems"

"We would love to have a big crowd of supporters to get behind the team on Saturday" added 1st XV Captain Nick Bird "Please come and add your support to the squad - both sides know that they are only 4 games away from a place in the final at Twickenham, so there really is everything to play for!"

Jan 8, 2008, 1:25 pm

The Saracens Annual Club dinner will be held at the clubhouse on Friday 25th January 2008, starting at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £35 per head and can be purchased through Nick Bullmore nick@nbullmore.freeserve.co.uk or phone 07966 184 244.

Please book tickets as soon as possible to avoid disappointment!

Jan 6, 2008, 10:21 pm

Saturday the 5th of January marked the first game of the new year for the Ammies, a league and cup double header against West London RFC. Memories of the home game, where a glorious last minute length of the pitch score had clutched victory so narrowly from the snarling jaws of defeat, were still vividly etched in the mind of all the squad, as was a steely determination not to have to repeat it.

As usual Sarries spent the first ten minutes asleep, which but for some heroic try line defence could all too easily have allowed a try. However against an attack that had all the flair and invention of pac-man our defence was able to stop it effectively for the rest of the game and their only period of sustained attack could only yield a penalty, which provided the much needed shot in the arm for the Ammies. Our first try came from a well worked rolling maul off a lineout 15 metres out, leading to Alex O'Driscoll powering over. Our second try was a beautiful piece of rugby, so fluent as to almost appear choreographed. Fast hands and quick feet caused an overlap wide on the left where close support play from James Rawlinson, who for the first time in recorded history passed the ball in the opposition 22, for Christo Kasabi to cross the line. “Watching Kasabi leap across the line was like watching the majestic hippopotamus splash into the receiving waters of the Limpopo river” a knowing observer was possibly overheard commenting. The half time score line of 12-3 reflected Saracens superiority, which was only enhanced after the break. Powerful runs from Tom Gillings and Kasabi, breaking the line on numerous occasions, which but for a lack of close support could easily have led to more tries. As it was 3 more penalties from James Clarke put the game beyond West London who were reduced to petulant ill discipline and long range pot shots at goal. The final score of 21-3 could easily have been more.

Sarries Ammies now march on to the next round of the cup, with the lights of Twickenham slowly getting brighter. 2008 has started well, long may it continue!

Herts/Middlesex 1 League Table:
Team P W D L F A Diff Pts Adjust Chiswick 10 10 0 0 368 69 299 20 0 Old Merchant Taylors 10 7 0 3 195 196 -1 14 0 Saracens Amateurs 10 6 0 4 166 111 55 12 0 Old Actonians 9 6 0 3 152 167 -15 12 0 Hitchin 10 5 1 4 243 191 52 11 0 Old Abbotstonians 10 4 0 6 167 259 -92 8 0 Verulamians 10 3 0 7 236 205 31 6 0 Old Millhillians 10 3 0 7 117 290 -173 6 0 Kilburn Cosmos 9 2 1 6 128 159 -31 5 0 West London 10 2 0 8 127 252 -125 4 0

Dec 23, 2007, 5:44 pm

Dec 17, 2007, 1:54 pm

Rugby world cup winner Richard Hill, MBE is to reveal a mural created by Southgate College students on the Grandstand at Saracens rugby ground in Bramley Road, thanks to the work of Cockfosters Safer Neighbourhood team and students from Southgate College.

In a bid to put an end to repeated criminal damage at the club, students on a graphic design course at Southgate College have been involved in creating a graffiti style mural covering the entire rear of the stand.

Having been called to report numerous incidents of damage, Cockfosters Safer Neighbourhood team put funding in place and approached the college to see if they would be interested in working to a long-term solution. Students from Southgate College agreed to take part as part of their course work.

 PS Dave Walker, Cockfosters Safer Neighbourhoods team said:

“ The stand has repeatedly been the target of graffiti ‘artists' over a number of years. It is hoped that by creating this mural, thereby removing the ‘blank canvas', a more lasting solution will have been found. It is a great example of police, students and a local club working together for the benefit of all.”

  Neal Cotham, Southgate College said:

"The Police came to the National Diploma Graphic Design course to see if our students could help solve a social problem. The students have worked well as a team, to produce impressive designs along a theme of rugby and sporting values."

 Former Saracens captain and ex-police officer, now Club President Lee Adamson, said:

“ This is a great example of Saracens working with their local community to make the area safer and more attractive to visitors and local residents.”

Richard Hill, MBE, Saracens and England player will officially reveal the mural on Wednesday 19^th December at 3pm.

Dec 16, 2007, 5:19 pm
"We've played a lot better this season....and lost!" was 1st XV Captain Nick Bird's post-match assessment of the 20-10 victory over Kilburn Cosmos RFC this Saturday. "However, we created stacks of chances, and are very happy going into the Christmas break with another League win under our belts"

Saracens dominated the set piece from the very first whistle at Bramley Road, but despite a constant stream of excellent possession, reached half-time only 5-0 ahead, after Ross McKenzie had driven over the line for his first try in a Saracens shirt.

Some poor decision making and execution saw Saracens squander a number of scoring chances with the Cosmos line at their mercy. Worse was to come, as Cosmos made Saracens pay for their poor finishing, and kicked a penalty, and converted a break-away try to take the lead 10-5, with 25 minutes still to play.

However, a strong comeback, orchestrated by flu-laden substitute Matt Boyle, turned the game Saracens way. With the team looking dangerous whenever they ran the ball, Joby Weston finished off a fine move to score out wide, and Matt Boyle dived under the posts for his own try after a set-piece play in the centre channel. Tom Sadler added the conversion and a penalty.

There were excellent performances in the pack from Sam McMahon, Ross McKenzie, Tom Gillings and Tom Christie, and the forwards ultimately delivered the possession that secured the win. Jeff Rice, Kris Kirkton and Tom Sadler [other than the drop goal attempt....] all had solid games for Saracens.

Matt Boyle was awarded the Man of the Match blazer, with  Stewart Belcher and Tom Sadler securing the 'Dick of the Day' Apron and the 'Pants of Woe' Awards respectively

The 1st XV finish their 2007 programme at home next Saturday 22nd December with a Middlesex Cup game v Uxbridge RFC. Kick off is at 2pm - all spectators very welcome

On behalf of all the Senior & Colts players, coaches and support team - may we wish all Saracens club members a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!