Mason carves out easy victory

FORGET Edge Hall Road in January. What, one wonders, will the Wigan faithful make of this lot when Orrell play Leicester at Central Park in March? They will certainly covet the full-back Simon Mason, who fully justified his selection on the wing for Ireland A against the Scots in Dublin next Friday. His was a tour de force of running, kicking and positional excellence. He scored 23 of Orrell's points, including a try covering over 80 yards from an interception which would have had the league code drooling.

They would also have appreciated Graeme Smith on the wing, who scored a delightful hat-trick of tries, his second of the season. But, despite the size of this victory, few can be convinced that Orrell are fully prepared to meet the rigours of the professional game.

Admittedly they have injury problems at the moment but their chief worry is the lack of height and ballast in the forwards which Saracens failed to expose yesterday. They, too, have the same problems. Even Tony Diprose, their No 8, had shrivelled to a mere 15 stone after a week spent at a health farm. But Saracens' more serious handicap this season has been their failure to finish off some promising play in the outfield.

This was most painfully illustrated just before half-time. With the game evenly balanced, Steve Ravenscroft, who up until that point was among the best of the backs, saw his pass outside the Orrell 22 intercepted by Mason. The full-back not only scored but for good measure he kicked the conversion.

The truth is that these were two poor sides neither of which can feel confident about the future. On the other hand, Orrell's position in the elite is now assured for at least another season. Saracens, however, despite the recruitment of some of the world's glitterati, now look odds-on to be relegated to the Second Division where they will find clubs of similar ambition and even more impressive resources. Certainly Michael Lynagh won't be expected to make as many mistakes in an entire season as poor Andy Lee made yesterday. Apart from missing two penalties and two dropped goals, he fumbled and frittered away possession and when the Saracens skipper, Brian Davies, was carried from the field with a leg injury all authority at half-back evaporated.

Yet until late in the game Saracens were spared the punishment which their carelessness deserved because the once formidable Orrell pack, which used to fill visiting sides with dread, is a tame imitation of that fearsome unit. This is a great pity because, Mason and Smith apart, Orrell had produced an exciting youth back division. Austin Healey, blisteringly fast and almost as nimble in thought, displayed all the confidence and arrogance of a class performer. His footwork has improved to the extent that his pass is flatter and crisper.

But all this will go to waste unless Orrell can unearth some quality tight forwards. They were put under no pressure yesterday.Even so, it wasn't until two beautifully struck penalties by Mason in the second half that Orrell could feel safe. Before that Andy Tunningley, who had taken over the goalkicking duties from Lee, kicked a penalty and Peter Harries with a lightning thrust down the left had scored a try. After that Saracens' challenge crumbled. Their second try by Kris Chesney three minutes from time being no more than a token gesture against a side whose thoughts by that time were as far away as their defence.

Orrell: F Mason; G Smith, I Wynn, L Tuigamala, D Luger; P Hamer, A Healey; J Russell, M Scott, P Mitchell, C Cusani, C Cooper, J Huxley, P Anglesea, P Manley (capt) (S Bibby, 52).

Saracens: A Tunningley; M Gregory, J Buckton, S Ravenscroft, P Harries (K Chesney, 49); A Lee, B Davies (capt) (P Friel, 20); R Andrews, G Botterman, G Holmes, M Langley, C Yandell, D Phillips, A Phillips, A Diprose.

Referee: B Campsall (Yorkshire).