Ashton scores hat-trick in Sarries win over Worcester

Former England winger Chris Ashton scored a hat-trick of tries as Saracens beat Worcester 19-43 in the Aviva Premiership.

Saracens have already qualified for a home Semi-final and the match was a warm up for next weekend’s European Cup final.

Warriors started well, Andy Symons scoring in the second minute. Another try from Cooper Vuna sent Worcester into a strong lead but two tries from Chris Ashton alongside a Samuela Vunisa score gave Sarries a commanding lead at the break.

The second-half was a far more one sided affair as Ashton completed his hat-trick before Ben Ransom scored to round off victory. Vuna added a sonsolation for the hosts right at the end.

The final score of 43-19 was a good result for Saracens and results elsewhere mean that Sarries will face Leicester at Allianz Park in the play-offs.

Meanwhile, it was a strong showing for the home team against the Premiership’s top side, rounding off an encouraging season for Dean Ryan’s men. A Symons try in the second minute took Warriors into a shock early lead. Tom Heathcote converted to make the early score 7-0.

Sarries restored parity after six minutes, Neil de Kock providing the finishing touch to an excellent counter attack. Charlie Hodgson produced a sublime kick to add the extras and tie the scores up at 7-7.

Vuna restored the hosts’ lead with a try after 17 minutes. Heathcote’s conversion attempt was once more successful to make scores 14-7. With 24 minutes on the clock the visitors had their second try. Alex Goode broke forward before playing in Ashton who touched down. Hodgson missed his conversion but was successful with a penalty kick six minutes later to edge Saracens into the lead.

This lead was added to after 37 minutes, Vunisa breaking off the back of a maul to power over the line. Hodgson converted once more before Chris Ashton added his second try of the game two minutes later, seizing upon a handling error from Chris Pennell to score.

The score was converted once again by Hodgson to send the leaders into a 29-14 half-time lead. Ashton went over the line to secure his hat-trick in the 52nd minute after a great kick through from Ransom.

Hodgson added the extras to send Sarries into a 14-36 lead. Ransom scored a try of his own with 65 minutes on the clock, Hodgson converted to make the advantage 29 points. Vuna scored a consolation try for Warriors with five minutes left to play, Ryan lamb missed the conversion meaning that the match finished 43-19.

Final Score Worcester 19 (14) Saracens 43 (29)

Scorers

Worcester
Tries – Symonds, Vuna 2
Pen –
Con – Heathcote 2
Drop –

Saracens
Tries – De Kock, Ashton 3, Vunisa, Ransom
Pen – Hodgson
Con – Hodgson 5
Drop –

Match Officials
Referee : Luke Pearce (51st Premiership game).
Assistant Referees: Andy Watson & Jonathan Healy
TMO: David Sainsbury.

Teams

Warriors

15 Chris Pennell, 14 Bryce Heem, 13 Andy Symons, 12 Ryan Mills, 11 Cooper Vuna, 10 Tom Heathcote, 9 Luke Baldwin, 1 Na’ama Leleimalefaga, 2 Niall Annett, 3 Nick Schonert, 4 Donncha O’Callaghan, 5 Dan Sanderson, 6 Sam Betty, 7 Carl Kirwan, 8 Phil Dowson (C)

Replacements: 16 Jaba Bregvadze, 17 Ryan Bower, 18 James Johnston, 19 Charlie Hewitt, 20 Matt Cox, 21 Charlie Mulchrone, 22 Ryan Lamb, 23 Alex Grove

Saracens

15 Alex Goode, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Chris Wyles, 10 Charlie Hodgson (c), 9 Neil De Kock, 1 Richard Barrington, 2 Jamie George, 3 Petrus Du Plessis, 4 George Kruis, 5 Jim Hamilton, 6 Jackson Wray, 7 Kelly Brown, 8 Samu Vunisa

Replacements: 16 Jared Saunders, 17 Titi Lamositele, 18 Juan Figallo, 19 Hayden Smith, 20 Will Fraser, 21 Ben Spencer, 22 Tim Streather, 23 Ben Ransom