Bracken makes claim for selection
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Your support makes all the difference.Saracens 51 West Hartlepool 8
This is where the going gets tough for Saracens. They now face a fortnight of frenetic and physically demanding rugby in their bid to win a place in Europe next season. Five matches have to be played with barely a breather in between as they undertake a relentless schedule beginning next Saturday at Gloucester. That is followed by Harlequins (also away) in midweek, Wasps at home the following Saturday, Sale away on the Wednesday and Leicester at Welford Road three days later. On yesterday's evidence they should be able to tough it out.
But the outlook is bleak for West Hartlepool, courageous as they are. The best they can hope for would be a place in the Courage League play- offs, the worst, and a distinct possibility, is automatic relegation. They have now played four more games than bottom-but-one London Irish, who are just two points behind.
This was as comprehensive a victory as an eight-try rout would indicate. And it could have been more. Saracens, who move into fifth place in the First Division, were guilty of being profligate with possession, although West did manage to make a fight of it.
Up front they scrapped for everything. The line-out did not go Saracens' way, nor did the scrums; but in the loose and out wide it was a different matter. There the class told. Saracens' back row, notably England's Richard Hill, and Tony Diprose, were invariably at the breakdown, recycling rapidly.
Scrum-half Kyran Bracken is looking back to his best. With a Lions place a possibility, the 25-year-old demonstrated his all-round skill and pace on hard ground. He scored the best try of the match, which began as a search for support and evolved into a magnificent solo effort as he eluded half a dozen tackles in a mazy, 60-yard run.
But he also had his share of pressure from the lively and talented back- row unit - Russell Earnshaw, Jon Ions and Ivan Morgan - which was the pride of West yesterday. Unfortunately for them Saracens' cover was up to whatever came their way.
Saracens: Tries Diprose, Tunningley, Ravenscroft, P Wallace, Bracken, Friel, Lee, Sella; Conversions Lynagh 2, Lee 2; Penalty Lynagh. West Hartlepool: Try Moseley; Penalty C John.
Saracens: A Tunningley; B Kebbie (P Friel, 35), P Sella, S Ravenscroft, K Chesney; M Lynagh (A Lee, 44), K Bracken; T Daly (A Olver, 64), G Botterman, P Wallace, C Yandell (M Burrow, 70), T Copsey (P Johns, 64), J Green, R Hill, T Diprose (capt).
West Hartlepool: M Silva (T Knowles, 33); G Truelove, L Botham, J Connolly, S John (M Roderick, 67); C John, B Ryan; D Barnes, A Peacock (M Kennedy, 71), W DeJong, C Murphy, K Moseley (capt; L Francis, 71), J Ions, R Earnshaw, I Morgan.
Referee: E Morrison (Bristol).
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