Verulamians’ hopes of brighter future stall in Saracens Amateurs defeat

Neil Metcalfe

Published: 7:14 AM September 25, 2019

Updated: 3:09 PM November 1, 2020

Verulamians V Saracens - Callum Porter in action for Verulamians. Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant

A lacklustre performance by Verulamians merely added to the despondency at Cotlandswick as they lost 24-12 to Saracens Amateurs.

Verulamians V Saracens - Luke Bell in action for Verulamians. Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant

The opening day of the Herts Middlesex Division One season also brought a loss but there were still signs of a promising future.

Verulamians V Saracens - Luke Bell in action for Verulamians. Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant

But they disappeared somewhat as Saracens got two unconverted tries in the first-half, partly due to their big number eight and domination in the line-out.

Verulamians V Saracens - Luke Bell in action for Verulamians. Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant

Vees did show greater determination at the start of the second half and were rewarded with a try, newcomer Jack Hegarty piercing the defences.

Verulamians V Saracens - Jake Lawrence in action for Verulamians. Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant

However, those efforts petered out and three steals brought two more Amateur tries to kill the resistance.

Verulamians V Saracens . Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant

A late surge will at least offer some hope and it did bring a second try, Ross Graham getting it following good work from Hegarty and Oli Askew-Fountain and Jim McCormack adding the conversion.