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Jackson pegs back Biarritz

European Cup/Saracens 22 Biarritz 10: Saracens marked their return to the European Cup after a five-year absence with a stunning…

Mon Oct 24 2005 - 01:00

European Cup/Saracens 22 Biarritz 10: Saracens marked their return to the European Cup after a five-year absence with a stunning victory over French champions Biarritz at Vicarage Road yesterday. Biarritz could not cope with Saracens' intensity as outhalf Glen Jackson dictated the game with a supreme tactical kicking display.

Saracens took the led through Jackson's fourth-minute penalty and then stood firm as Biarritz rumbled towards the line on three occasions. But they received a major let-off when Biarritz centre Frederico Martin-Arramburu skipped a grubber kick into touch when a simple outside pass would almost certainly have created the opening score.

And Saracens took full advantage. From a five-metre scrum Kyran Bracken sent the ball wide, Jackson created the space and Ben Johnston burst on to the ball for a 10-0 half-time lead.

Saracens were quickly back in Biarritz territory on the resumption, and struck a crucial blow. Captain Hugh Vyvyan, playing at blindside flanker, took the ball in midfield and launched a long-range drop-goal that sailed between the posts.

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Yachvili got Biarritz on the board with a 57th-minute penalty but Jackson slotted two further penalties.

Biarritz eventually worked a breakthrough, with outhalf Julien Peyrelongue scoring in injury time, but Jackson provided the coup de grace with another giant drop-goal.

SARACENS: Castaignede; Haughton, Sorrell, Johnston, Bailey; Jackson, Bracken; Yates,Cairns, Visagie; Raiwalui, Fullarton; Vyvyan, Randell, Skirving. Replacements: , Russell for Johnston (47), Lloyd for Yates, Byrne for Cairns (both 52), Chesney for Raiwalui (59), Broster for Visagie (65), Dickens for Bracken (68), Seymour for Haughton (75).

BIARRITZ: Brusque; Gobelet, Martin-Arramburu, Traille, Bobo; Peyrelongue, Yachvili; Lealamanua, August, Avril; Thion, Couzinet; Dusautoir, Harinordoquy, Lievremont. Replacements: Bidabe for Traille, Chouchan for Harinordoquy ( both 40), Olibeau for Couzinet (49), Dambielle for Dusautoir (56), Noirot for Olibeau (57), Ormaechea for Gobelet (76).

Referee: Nigel Owen (WRFU)