After eight successive Premiership victories, it might seem almost inevitable that a draw would seem disappointing.

However, the mood within the Saracens squad after Friday’s 12-12 draw with the Worcester Warriors at Sixways was far from disappointed; the team produced yet another strong, physical and committed performance, resolutely dominating both territory and possession.

It is no exaggeration to say Worcester ventured into the Saracens half and threatened barely four times during the 80 minutes, and were awarded four penalties, all of which were kicked by Willie Walker.
Conditions at the cold and dew-drenched stadium were never easy, and a series of Saracens attacks foundered either with a handling error, the bounce of the ball or an unfathomable decision.
 Eager to maintain their record of being the only club in the Premiership to have scored a try in every match so far this season, Saracens began in a blur, surging up field in a series of phases... coming within inches of scoring the first try but having to settle for a five-metre scrum.

So the match continued, with the visitors hammering away at the home side’s defence, which to their credit managed to hold firm.

Walker kicked three first-half penalties to one from Derick Hougaard, but Saracens turned to play with a strong wind with clear hopes of overturning the 9-3 deficit at the interval. The pressure intensified, and Hougaard kicked three more penalties, establishing a 12-9 lead.

It seemed as if the visitors would secure the victory their performance merited, but, just four minutes from the end of the match, Worcester broke free of the vice grip again, earning a penalty and Walker calmly levelled the scores with a fine penalty to the left of the posts.

“If I am not happy with a performance,” said Director of Rugby Brendan Venter afterwards, “I will say so. But that was a good performance, and I am very proud of the players. That was a good draw.”
London Irish’s victory at Bath the following day cut Saracens’ lead at the top of the Guinness Premiership to four points, ahead of next Saturday’s match at home to Sale (live on Sky Sports, kick off at 17h35).

After home and away European matches against Castres, leaders of the French league, Saracens will play two rivals within six days: London Irish away on December 27 and Leicester at home on January 2.