New man at No.10 Fergus Burke gets Saracens running free

By Sam Jackson

Saracens ……….40pts

Tries: Dan 10, Willis 24, Onyeama-Christie 38, 70; Burke 43, Adejimi 65

Conversions: Burke 11, 25, Burke 39, 44;

Johnson 66

Scarlets ………… 21pts

Tries: Lloyd 15, Penalty 31, O’Connor 55

Conversions: Costelow 16, 56

Saracens ensured they will be heading in to the Premiership opener next weekend full of confidence after an impressive six-try victory at StoneX.

Saracens, beaten semi-finalists last season, showed plenty of attacking intent and also defensive grit, giving them the perfect preparation for the Premiership curtain raiser against Gloucester on Saturday.

Fergus Burke led the line at No.10 as he settles into his role of replacing talisman Owen Farrell and Sarries went close to an early try.

First Half

Elliot Daly’s pass out the back released Tobias Elliot down the right wing but he was hauled down just short, and then another looping pass to Rotimi Segun looked to have secured him a free run to the line but a knock on allowed the Scarlets to escape.

Nick Tompkins then found himself in space on halfway, and his neat grubber through almost allowed Burke to dot down but for an unkind bounce.

Saracens kept piling on the the pressure and they got their reward on 10 minutes when they won a penalty five metres from the line.

Theo Dan tapped it himself and bundled over under the posts with Burke adding the extras.

Scarlets hit back when a break through the middle created a two-on-one, and the pass out left found Ioan Lloyd who had a clear run to the line. Sam Costelow’s conversion levelled the score.

Both sides were then working each other out with plenty of play around the middle of the pitch, but Saracens went back in front on 24 minutes when another close range penalty was tapped, and this time it was Tom Willis who crashed over from five metres. Burke again converted to make it 14-7.

Scarlets blew two great chances to level. First, from a five metre scrum, the wide pass went forward and Gabe McDonald then had the try-line at his mercy but Willis scrambled to put in an incredible try-saving tackle.

A cynical tackle from a quick tap sent Toby Knight to the sin-bin and Scarlets were awarded a penalty try to level at 14-14.

Saracens hit back just before half-time when Andy Onyeama-Christie powered over, Burke nothcing his third conversion.

Second Half

Burke started the second half with a touch of class to extend the lead.

He broke through the line, stepped a defender and glided through to score.

Sam O’Connor scored from close range for Scarlets after they had been denied another by a double movement, but Saracens finished strong with two more tries.

A brilliant break from Louie Johnson, on for Burke, set up Samson Adejimi to score just seconds after coming on before Onyeama-Christie scored with a brilliant finish on the left wing after Brandon Jackson had made headway.