Gallagher Premiership: Bathtub inflict file defeat on 14-man Saracens in 68-10 win at Recreation Floor | Rugby union information

The Bathtub leaders inflicted a file Gallagher Premiership defeat on 14-man Saracens as they cruised to a 68-10 victory on the Recreation Floor.

Bathtub earned a bonus level earlier than half-time, such was their dominance within the first 40 minutes which noticed Saracens flanker Toby Knight despatched off and full-back Liam Williams yellow carded, whereas flanker Theo McFarland and winger Tobias Elliott suffered on the finish of the match. accidents.

Knight was despatched off within the 14th minute following direct contact with the top throughout a problem on Bathtub middle Ollie Lawrence, and Saracens then had a mountain to climb.

They completed the afternoon reeling from the worst defeat of their Premiership historical past, shifting on from a 65-10 defeat to Exeter in October 2023.

Bathtub have been awarded an early penalty strive earlier than prop Thomas du Toit, middle Cameron Redpath and winger Will Muir touched down earlier than the break, whereas Finn Russell made three conversions.

Joe Cokanasiga (2), Lawrence and Sam Underhill added touchdowns within the second half, as Muir accomplished a hat-trick, Russell making 5 extra conversions, and Saracens had no reply other than Kapeli’s late strive Pifeleti, plus a penalty and a Fergus Burke conversion. .

Bathtub moved 5 factors clear on the Premiership summit after as soon as once more underlining their main title standing.
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Historical past of the match

The match began full of life, with Bathtub awarded a penalty strive by referee Karl Dickson after simply 5 minutes.

Russell’s cross-kick aimed toward Cokanasiga was illegally pushed away by Williams behind the road, that means a yellow card for the Wales worldwide and the guests falling seven factors behind.

Saracens additionally noticed McFarland and Elliott injured in a frantic opening drive, after which quantity eight Ben Earl was denied a strive following a ahead cross from scrum-half Gareth Simpson.

And simply when Saracens might need thought issues could not worsen, Knight was dismissed earlier than Bathtub flanker Ted Hill broke by their protection and Du Toit ran in for a strive which Russell transformed .

A Burke penalty opened Saracens’ account after 20 minutes, however Bathtub got here again on the assault and claimed a 3rd landing when Redpath crashed over after amassing skipper Ben Spencer’s cross. Russell transformed, making the rating 21-3.

Bathtub struggled to press residence their numerical benefit and a bonus level strive arrived three minutes earlier than half-time.

Spencer made a pointy break from the bottom of a scrum, and his well-timed supply allowed Muir an unopposed 25-yard run to the road.

Russell’s conversion made it 28-3 on the break, with Saracens engaged in a protracted injury limitation train after such a calamitous first quarter.

Bathtub have been in no temper to point out mercy, and check out quantity 5 arrived shortly after the break when Lawrence made a half-break and delivered a scrumptious one-handed cross to Cokanasiga, who marked simply.

Saracens lock Nick Isiekwe didn’t return for the second half as a consequence of damage, then Williams left for a head damage evaluation earlier than Muir grabbed his second strive, transformed by Russell, as Bathtub scored 40 factors.

They maintained a starvation for the Saracens line, and alternative Underhill was the following beneficiary, finishing a radical transfer that had Muir and Miles Reid at its coronary heart.

Russell’s profitable fifth conversion took Bathtub inside touching distance of a half-century, though Saracens at the least had a comfort when Pifeleti crossed and Burke transformed, earlier than Lawrence’s strive carries Bathtub past 50.

As anticipated, Bathtub had the final snigger when Cokanasiga pounced for his second strive, earlier than Muir accomplished his hat-trick, and Russell transformed each to finish a cruel demolition job.