Saracens and England star, Elliot Daly was involved in some very emotional scenes following the Bath vs Saracens match at the Recreation ground on Friday night.
After spotting a sign in the crowd which read “Elliot can I please have your shirt!”, Daly returned to the field of play to give the young fan a moment to treasure.
Joking with presenter Ugo Monye that he’d paid the young lad to write the sign, Daly handed his shirt over to the young Saracens supporter. In the sweetest scenes, where even the toughest second-row forward wouldn’t be able to hold back their emotions, the fan held back his own tears, claiming Daly had been his “favourite player for ages.”
Make sure you’ve got your tissues at the ready…here’s the video:
“This lovely boys reaction reminding us how special some of these players are to their supporters. Such a special moment with
@elliotdaly that left presenters and my entire family in tears. Love that Daly took the time to make someone’s day in such a kind way. It’s really something when you meet your hero and they are everything you hoped they would be and more. What a kid, what a player”
This lovely boys reaction reminding us how special some of these players are to their supporters. Such a special moment with @elliotdaly that left presenters and my entire family in tears. Love that Daly took the time to make someone’s day in such a kind way. It’s really… pic.twitter.com/fePZjSHEHJ
— L T ✈︎ (@LT_RugbyLyf) April 26, 2024
Bath vs Saracens Match Report
Bath’s recreation ground was the setting for Friday night’s heavyweight Gallagher Premiership clash between second-place Bath and third-place Saracens, with both sides looking to secure a favourable points advantage heading into the business end of the season.
The home crowd slowly built up their anticipation with kickoff imposing, but it wasn’t until the Bath lads made their semi-circle arc towards the changing rooms that the home faithful truly started to generate the hum expected for such an occasion.
No sooner had the smoky remains of the pre-game cannons exited the air, the Bath forwards targeted Owen Farrell’s boot. An early charge down from giant lock Charlie Ewels almost caused a disastrous start for the visitors, with Mark McCall’s men only let off after a scrum was called for a later knock-on.
The early stages were dominated by a nervous kick-tennis routine, with the two teams attempting to work each other out, broken up only by the odd fumble. The first real attacking impact was made through Bath’s rampaging wingers, Joe Cokanasiga and Will Muir as they, alongside number 8 Alfie Barbeary, made huge inroads into the Saracens defence. Sadly for the home side, in a theme that would continue throughout the match, their ability to convert on front foot ball was severely limited.
Following a touch judge decision over a Bath clearance kick, screams of “it’s up there sir” from an enraged Owen Farrell managed to rile up a Saracens side that had clearly brought their A-game to the Rec. Channelling this passion, the Saracens captain shortly provided the playmaking touches for his sides’ first try of the evening, as Tom Parton slid over in the corner.
These hands 😮💨
Tom Parton gets @Saracens on the scoreboard at The Rec 💫#BATvSAR | #GallagherPrem pic.twitter.com/Exnz03PZH8
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) April 26, 2024
The match entered the end of the first quarter with neither side having taken a clear advantage. Bath held the majority of the possession with a consistent kicking game that saw Saracens caught napping under the high ball on more than one occasion, whereas Saracens were looking more threatening with the limited ball they had in hand.
The impressive boot of Ben Spencer regularly clamped Saracens back in their own 22, but despite this Bath failed to imprint their own score on the first half, even after Saracens’ gameplan was set on a very narrow knife edge when Maro Itoje received his marching orders. The giant lock had collided with England hopeful Alife Barbeary in the centre field leading to a yellow card.
Saracens concluded the half with talented winger, Rotimi Segun gliding home to collect a chipped ball – as the home side failed to match their visitor’s pace.
Bath, without the influence of Finn Russell, appeared to struggle breaking the gain line, making unforced errors in times when they appeared to be in control.
Half Time: Bath 0 – 12 Saracens
After sustained pressure from a Bath side, desperate to find their way back into the match, South African import Thomas Du Toit emerged from the bottom of a very clustered pile of bodies to bring the match back to just one score. Ill discipline from the Saracens forwards continued to cost the London side as Bath continued to put further pressure on, eventually leading to yet another rollover try…this time from substitute Cameron Redpath with only his first touch of the ball.
You DO NOT stop Thomas du Toit from there 🚂💥
Huge effort from the boys in Blue, Black and White!
— Bath Rugby (@BathRugby) April 26, 2024
An animated Johan van Graan was spotted down at the touchline as flyhalf Orlando Bailey was brought off, matched later by a Saracens coaching crew that almost tore the medieval Rec roof off with their screams and cheers when Theo Dan broke the Bath line with just ten minutes to go.
With just three minutes remaining, Farrell found yet another way to wind up the Bath faithful as he ran the clock down in front of the Thatchers Stand, leading to piercing boos around the open arena.
Final Score: Bath 12 – 15 Saracens
Bath were masters of their own downfall. Despite periods of constant pressure, their inability to finish off opportunities, coupled with silly mistakes and a shoddy lineout return meant that boys in blue, black and white slip behind their visitors in the table.
Despite the disappointing result, Van Graan remains confident in the playoff chase.
Owen Farrell magic clinched a late win over Bath to send Saracens second 🔺#GallagherPrem pic.twitter.com/EYdn74ttW6
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) April 26, 2024
Sign In