Sport

Farrell's accuracy gives Saracens every reason to believe

Racing Metro 28 Saracens 37: Owen Farrell kicked a record 10 penalties in a Heineken Cup tie to clinch a sensational victory…

Mon Jan 14 2013 - 00:00

Racing Metro 28 Saracens 37:Owen Farrell kicked a record 10 penalties in a Heineken Cup tie to clinch a sensational victory for Saracens at Racing Metro.

The England outhalf was imperious with the boot in the face of a partisan French crowd with a perfect 11 kicks from as many attempts in a staggering 32-point haul.

Chris Wyles scored Saracens’ only try of a tense clash, though the Aviva Premiership side had to cope with two yellow cards, a try deficit of three to one and a worrying injury to David Strettle to pull off a vital victory.

One win away

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The result leaves Saracens one win away from reaching the quarter-finals for the second year in succession. Racing Metro led 22-9 after just 25 minutes in Nantes thanks to tries from prop Luc Ducalcon and wing Juan Imhoff (two) and a penalty from Sebastien Descons

Strettle had been carried off following what appeared to be a swinging forearm from behind by Fabrice Estebanez.

Farrell and Descons traded penalties before Farrell kicked two more before the break

That fuelled Saracens’ belief and when Fraser supplied possession from a lineout, Farrell and Tomkins combined to send Wyles flying over before the conversion tied the scores at 25-25 after 48 minutes. Four more penalties from Farrell completed the visitors’ job.

RACING METRO: Fall, Imhoff, Chavancy, Estebanez, Bobo, Hernandez, Descons, Ben Arous, Szarzewski, Ducalcon, Van Der Merwe, Nailiko, Battut, Galindo, Matadigo. Replacements: Barkley for Chavancy (73), Brugnaut for Ben Arous (58), Noirot for Szarzewski (75), Sa for Ducalcon (75), Metz for Nailiko (63), Gerondeau for Galindo (63), Cronje for Matadigo (51). Not used: Belie. Sin bin: Nailiko (34), Noirot (79).

SARACENS: Wyles, Ashton, J. Tomkins, Barritt, Strettle, Farrell, Wigglesworth, Gill, Brits, Stevens, Borthwick, Botha, Brown, Fraser, Joubert. Replacements: de Kock for Wigglesworth (54), Vunipola for Gill (43), Smit for Brits (64). Not used: Du Plessis, Kruis, Fenton-Wells, Hodgson, Taylor. Sin bin: Fraser (25), Ashton (56).

Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland).