Saracens 37 Toulouse 30
Two tries in two minutes at the start of the second half helped keep Saracens' European Cup hopes alive, the English Premiership side holding on 37-30 against French outfit Toulouse in their Pool Three match here at Vicarage Road today.
First a fine sprint through the heart of defence by Tom Shanklin set up fellow centre Kevin Sorell for a score under the posts before a brilliant 40m crossfield run by wing Darragh O'Mahony, halted just short of the line, led to Scotland lock Scott Murray going over.
Outside half Duncan McRae, who kicked 17 points in the match, converted both tries and Saracens were 27-13 ahead.
Former Saracens and France outside half Alain Penaud hit back with a try in the 54th minute to reduce the gap to 27-18 and wing Michel Marfaing's 73rd minute try got Toulouse back to within a converted try 30-23.
Then France wing Emile N'Tmack dropped the ball near his own line two minutes from time. From the resulting scrim Kieran Roche scored Saracens fourth try.
Earlier Saracens' England wing Dan Luger accelerated before passing to full back Brett Sparg for a try under the posts in the third minute.
McRae added the routine conversion and Saracens were 7-0 up.
However, Toulouse responded when scrum-half Joseph Ilharreguy caught the Saracens defence napping with a sniping run.
Marfaing and McRae then exchanged a pair of penalties to make it 13 apiece at half-time.
Cardiff have won Pool Three but Saracens could qualify for the knockout stages as one of the best runners-up.
AFP