Welwyn RFC are proud to be a Saracens Partner Club.

CLUBS UPDATE, 24th November 2005

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Last Match Review

Ford still looking for improvement...
Saracens secured a 27-18 victory over Newcastle Falcons at Vicarage Road on Sunday and after reviewing the video of the game, Head Coach Mike Ford was pleased that the side continued its unbeaten run, but admitted there were still areas in which to improve.

Richard Haughton with two tries and 17 points from Glen Jackson, which included a try of his own, saw the Men In Black to victory and extended their unbeaten run to seven matches going into Saturday’s game at Gloucester.

“We’re pleased to keep the unbeaten run going and it was a very exciting opening first 30 minutes, but at the same time we squandered so many chances,” said Ford. “The game should have been dead and buried and although you could argue we were comfortably ahead at the break, we still need to be taking those chances when we get them.

“Fair play to Newcastle after the break because they had more ball, but there were still opportunities where we could have gone on to score more tries and get the bonus point. We’ve got to learn to be able to close out games and if you don’t take your chances, it can end up costing you.”

And the Saracens Head Coach also had special praise for the 9,413 fans at Vicarage Road on Sunday – the highest Guinness Premiership crowd in London for round 8 of the competition.

Ford said: “The fans were brilliant. It was a great crowd and to make so much noise on a cold November afternoon was fantastic – it felt like there was 15,000 of you in there. The players mentioned it afterwards in the dressing room and we’ll be looking forward to hopefully welcoming even more of you for our next game against Ulster.”


Next Game

Gloucester vs Saracens – Saturday 26 November, Kick Off 12:30pm
Gloucester are back in business after a year in the doldrums and are currently at the right end of the table after rediscovering their purpose.

Frenchman 'Ludo' Mercier, in his second spell at the club, is firing the backline with the help of scrum half Peter Richards and James Simpson-Daniel revelling in his recent role at outside centre alongside summer signing Mike Tindall from neighbours Bath.

Up front the grit is back and the West Country side are counting on out-muscling their opponents to gift their backline the run of the ball.

Last season Saracens broke their Kingsholm duck, only Welford Road to go, but the Men in Black will be under no illusions of an easy game, as this seasons' Cherry and Whites are an all together different proposition.


Next Home Game

Saracens vs Ulster
Saracens return to European Heineken Cup action on SATURDAY 17th December with their next home game against Irish Provincial team Ulster. The kick off is earlier than usual at 1.00pm, for what is sure to be a bruising encounter. With Saracens top of Pool 4 in the tournament, the Irishmen will be aiming to topple the Men in Black. Bring it on!!!


Club Partnership Programme News

Community Team goes International…
This week Saracens community team paid a visit to their first international Partner Club – Brussels Barbarians. The Belgian club received a number coaching sessions and a coach development session at the British School on the outskirts of the capital. The team play in the top league in the country and have a mix of young and experience players from a number of countries – a truly Barbarians Team!

Next Coach the Coaches Session…

Tuesday 13th December 2005
‘TURNOVERS’

With Saracens’ Rugby Development Manager Dave Hesketh

Times: 6.00pm for coffee & buffet
6.30-7.15 Theory Seminar
7.30-9.00 Practical Session (Outside) with the Saracens Academy

If you would like to attend please email davehesketh@saracens.net with your name and which club you are linked to. All Coach the Coaches sessions are held exclusively for Partner Club Coaches. There are a limited number of places available, offered on a first come first served basis.

Player News

Saracens sign up Kiwi prop...
Saracens have signed Hamish Mitchell for the remainder of the 2005/06 season. The 24-year-old tighthead prop joins following a successful two-week trial with the Men In Black and is available for selection for Saturday’s Guinness Premiership trip to Gloucester.

Mitchell joins Saracens on the back of two seasons with New Zealand NPC outfit Taranaki – also playing a part in the game between in the British Lions and the region earlier this year.

Mitchell has already played in a Saracens shirt, making his debut for the A-team against Northampton Saints earlier this week. The 6ft 4in prop is now looking forward to the challenge of the Guinness Premiership. He told www.saracens.com: “As I have an Irish passport, I don’t qualify as an overseas player so playing the England was always and option for me and I’m delighted that Saracens have given me the opportunity.

“It’s a fresh challenge for me. It’s a very strong league and the opportunity to play against some of the best props in Europe is one which I am looking forward to. I’ve only been at the club two weeks but it’s all been brilliant. The players are top lads and there is a good coaching staff.”
Mitchell played at Old Albanians on Monday night as the A-league side beat Northampton Saints 38-31. “It was my first game since October, so I was itching to get into the action. I thought the game went well and I enjoyed it.”
Head Coach Mike Ford has already seen Mitchell in action as the prop came on as a replacement for Taranaki against the Lions on their summer tour to New Zealand.

“That was a brilliant experience,” he said. “It was a full house and a terrific atmosphere and it’s certainly been the highlight of my career so far. But now my focus is on Saracens and I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season.”
Other News

Scratchcard sellers wanted for home games...
We are looking for confident, out going and enthusiastic sellers who are keen to be part of the team!
You’ll earn £10 per hour plus a 10% commission for all tickets sold, so the more you sell the more you gain! This includes a ticket to watch the rest of the game. Working hours will be 12.30pm – 4.00pm – all home matchdays (typically Sundays)

Job Spec
Sell Saracens Matchday sweepstake scratchards at £1 each to all supporters on all Saracens matchdays,

What is the Saracens Matchday sweepstake?
Exactly what it says on the tin, a scratchcard with the chance of winning £100 cash that day!
Simply scratch the 2 panels for home and away, match the shirt number of the 1st try scorer of the home team AND away team for that day’s game and win £100 cash prize straight after the game.

Please email maitakenaka@saracens.net or phone Mai directly on 01923 204615

Applicants must be aged 16 and over

 

 

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