Positive thinkers will point to the two missed chances early in the game which could have changed the game completely, Dan Scarbrough and Kameli Ratuvou both guilty of not making the winning pass, after slicing through the home defence. The latter was by no means a sitter, the former should have seen Richard Haughton cross unopposed.

However, I couldn’t see past the break-down again. Sarries strong point from the week before became our Achilles heal with the monster Qera, the moody Strokosch and the committed Bortolami making absolute nuisances of themselves all over the pitch. Sarries ball was slow. Gloss ball, lightning fast.

The misses really hurt Sarries, as they couldn’t stem the tide at the other end of the pitch and, despite facing a fairly strong wind in the first half, Gloss crossed through James Simpson-Daniel and Akapusi Qera in the corner to give the hosts a half-time 15-3 lead.

Considering the possession stats (64% Gloss), Visagie’s control of the scrums and those pesky missed chances, Sarries would have thought that they were still in the game when they came out of the tunnel for the second half.

Back in the studio, Morris tells us that Kameli’s surname is Ratatouille, the man’s a genius.

It was a horror start to the half for the Men in Black, as Ryan Lamb pushes Gloss forward with some clever kicks and after Sarries fail to reach touch with a clearance, he scythes through four sets of flapping arms to score under the posts. This was followed minutes later by an interception from the fly-half who, despite the best efforts of Haughton, went the length of the pitch to score. Two tries in 6 minutes, 29-3, it was as bad as it reads.

Alan Gaffney made some changes, with Census leading the way. This seems to add some go-forward to Sarries play, something that had been missing for the previous 50 minutes. However, Gloucester weren’t done.

A terrible missed tackle from Seymour was followed by some neat hands from the home side, the final pass reaching the Volcano who bashed through Scarbrough to score 34-3.

Gloss kept rumbling forward with Rory Lawson, one of the villains of last week, squeezing under Mosese Rauluni to score his sides 6^th try. 39-3.

Harsh, slightly witty comment of the day – S Barnes - ‘Ross on for Jackson, that’s the white flag raised’ Ouch! In all fairness to Rossy, he had a confident, controlled performance.

Two consolation tries for the visitors from Powell and Skirving couldn’t wipe the smiles off the home sides’ faces.

Sarries must re-group, there are now only three games left to try and guarantee Heineken Cup qualification for next season and they are falling steadily away from the pack.

The positives from this game are that despite taking a real hammering from the hosts a few players played quite well. Adam Powell continues to improve game on game, Richard Haughton just looks more assured and classy each time we see him and a number of the replacements played with some real pace and power, albeit against a side that had the game won.

Wasps are next, they’re a team on the up, looking to put together a trademark end of season run for the title. Sarries will have to be close to their best to get the result that they need.

 Gloucester Walker; Balshaw, Simpson-Daniel (Adams, 75), Tindall, Vainikolo; Lamb, Lawson (Cooper, 68); Wood, Titterrell (Azam, 47), Nieto (Forster, 47), Bortolami (capt; Paterson, 79), Brown, Strokosch, Qera (James, 72), Narraway (Delve, h-t).

Tries Simpson-Daniel, Qera, Lamb 2, Vainikolo, Lawson. Cons Lamb 3. Pen Lamb.

Saracens Scarbrough; Haughton (Penney, 73), Sorrell, Powell, Ratuvou; Jackson (Ross, 66), de Kock (capt; Rauluni, 58); Aguero (Visagie, 72), Cairns, Visagie (Johnston, 48), Vyvyan (Fullarton, 66), Ryder, Chesney, Barrell (Seymour, 52), Skirving.

Tries Powell, Skirving. Con Ross. Pen Jackson.

Sin-bin Ryder, 63.

Referee R Debney (Leicestershire). Attendance 12,300.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon

Related Articles:

• Sarries v Gloucester Preview: Tight at the Top

SPORTNETWORK SPECIALS