Worcester U18 victorious over Saracens to kick-off U18 Final’s Day in style

Worcester hosted Saracens in the first fixture of the Premiership U18 Academy League Final’s day at Sixways. Both sides finished third in their respective conferences and were hoping to get the day off with a bang, as they competed for 5^th place in the overall standings. With a still, clear day and the artificial surface at Sixways it was bound to be a high scoring affair and neither side disappointed.

                Worcester started the faster of the sides as despite some big defence from Saracens, a well delivered pass from fly-half Forrester put captain Ted Hill through the defence and under the posts for the early score. Saracens hit back straight away, piling the pressure on the Worcester defence which eventually gave way as Saracens star lock Joel Kpoku broke through the line, which left a simple finish for Sean Reffell bundling over a scrambling Worcester defence.

                Worcester regained the ascendancy immediately with two scores one after another, both from centre Ollie Lawrence. The first came from a quick wrap around the defensive line and a fend off put him over in the corner. The next came after another strong break from Ted Hill bringing Worcester back inside the Saracens 22m, Lawrence this time showed his power as he bumped off a tackler and scored under the posts, giving Worcester a 19-7 lead.

                Saracens turned up the pace and were back on the attack shortly after inside the Worcester half, where nice build up play looked to have led to a try in the corner but the final pass was forward and was brought back. Saracens made the most of their next opportunity as the forwards worked their way back inside the Worcester 22m before a well floated pass from fly-half Manu Vunipola put Elliot Obitiyembo in at the corner. It was Worcester who finished the half on top however, with hooker Cameron Harrison collecting the ball and showing a good turn of pace as he made 30 metres into Saracens territory. Harrison then held up possession and created a simple two on one which was finished by James Scott, bringing the half-time score to 24-12.

                The second half started slower than the first as neither side were able to gain ground easily and defences held firm. However, a mistake from a lineout gave Saracens’ Sean Reffell an opportunity to gain ground deep into the Worcester half, and a strong carry from replacement prop Billy Young carried him over the line for his first try. It didn’t take him long to get his second and give Saracens the lead for the first time in the game. A quick tap penalty was taken by replacement scrum-half James Elms and a scrambling defence couldn’t stop Young going over in the corner, giving Saracens a 24-26 lead.

                However, the lead was short lived as a box kick shortly after the restart was charged down by hooker Harrison who had the composure to collect the ball and score. Saracens looked to be applying real pressure on the Worcester defence and playing inside the Worcester half in the closing stages of the match, but frequent indiscipline and staunch Worcester defence cost them valuable field position.  Worcester backed-up their defensive effort in the final phases of the game with clinical attacking play, as a maul from 15m out from the Saracens try line was driven all the way over with Harrison getting his second of the game and sealing a 36-26 victory over Saracens.

                Despite a very strong second half performance from Saracens, helped by an increase in pace from the replacements, Worcester had done enough with a clinical first half and strong defensive effort to hold Saracens out in crucial moments in the second and were deserved winners.

                Saracens forwards will be pleased with their contribution both in defence and through strong carries, with standout performances by lock Joel Kpoku & backrow pair Sean Reffell and Tobias Munday. Full-back Elliot Obitiyembo came alive in the second half as Saracens came into the game with good running lines, getting himself on the scoresheet. Billy Young will also be pleased with his impact on the game as he came on in the second half, crossing the whitewash twice and playing with a great level of energy from the moment he joined the game.

                Worcester will be delighted to have secured the win with such a complete performance across the two halves, and while despite being disappointed at letting Saracens back into the game, showed real character to see the game out at the end. Captain Ted Hill led by example with a big defensive effort and gained  ground in attack, getting a try himself, and fellow backrow Tom Fawcett also defended well at crucial moments. Cameron Harrison and Ollie Lawrence, both with two tries each, will be pleased with their performances and Alex Bartley looked dangerous on the wing with real pace.