Saracens Roll Over USA Islanders in Bermuda
Doug Coil
The Saracens had 14 tries to beat the USA Islanders 92-0 at the Bermuda National Sports Centre on Thursday August 10. Captain Chris Wyles and subs Henry Taylor and Nathan Earle had hat-tricks in this match.
The game was part of the preseason training camp in Bermuda ahead of the 2017/18 season that kicks-off on 2nd September against Northampton Saints in the London. It also raised money for the Islands Beyond Rugby Charity.
The Saracens will also have pre-season matches against the Bedford Blues and Global Network side Timisoara Saracens later this month.
Chris Wyles, the former USA Eagles captain, skippered the Saracens in the game, an USA Islanders side which included some of his former teammates from the Eagles, as well as the USA Rio Olympics 7s side. Olive Kilifi, USA Islander captain was one of the Eagles.
Wyles was joined in the back three by Matt Gallagher (full-back) and Mike Ellery at wing. Centers included Tom Griffiths, who impressed in the Singha Premiership 7s and Nick Tompkins. The halfback combination had England U20 fly-half Max Malins partnering with scrumhalf Ben Spencer.
Hayden Thompson-Stringer, Scott Spurling and Vincent Koch formed the starting front-row with England squad member Nick Isiekwe and summer signing Dominic Day at lock. In the back-row, Academy duo Jack Nay and Ben Earl played flanker with another summer signing Calum Clark, at No8.
Reserve Christopher Tolofua joined Dominic Day and Calum Clark as Saracens debutant for this match.
The USA Islanders squad was coached by Vaha Esikia, Tui Osborne, Paula Fukafuka, Alatini Saulala, and Benny Matealona. USA Eagle Olive Kilifi captained the side and capped USA Eagles Matai Leuta and Jojo Tikoisuva were also part of the squad.
Saracens v USA Islanders Recap
The Saracens dominated the Atlantic Cup, scoring 14 tries to win 92-0 over the USA Islanders. Three summer signings were debutants for the match in Calum Clark, Dominic Day and Christopher Tolofua. Kieran Longbottomalso returned to the club from the Sale Sharks.
Captain Chris Wyles had two first half tries and gained his third at the 47th minute and was then replaced. Substitutes Henry Taylor and Nathan Earle also had hat tricks.
The Sarries opened the scoring with a Mike Ellery try from a maul in the 3rd minute. Mike Malins added a try in the 18 minute, before Chris Wyles had the first of his tries, scoring in the corner at the 26th minute. Center Tom Griffiths added a try four minutes later and Chris Wyles scored again in the corner three minutes later, as the Sarries led 29-0 at the break.
During the second half, all the Saracens reserves had significant playing time, and the scoring floodgates opened.
French hooker Christopher Tolofua’s first touch in a Saracens jersey showed things to come, as he went into contact against some sizeable USA Islanders defenders.
Two minutes into the second half, Henry Taylor grounded the ball for the first of his three tries on the night. Chris Wyles then scored his third try and Nathan Earle followed with his first of three tries. At the 60th minute, Henry Taylor added his second try. Alex Lozowski then had a highlight try as he received an offload by Jackson Wray.
The last ten minutes of the match were also an explosive one for the Sarries, as Nathan Earle scored his second try, Henry Taylor followed with his third, Ben Earl raced away to score before Nathan Earle ran in the last try of the evening, his third of the game for a 92-0 win.
Saracens team to face USA Islanders:
1 Hayden Thompson-Stringer 2 Scott Spurling 3 Vincent Koch 4 Dominic Day 5 Nick Isiekwe 6 Jack Nay 7 Calum Clark 8 Ben Earl 9 Ben Spencer 10 Max Malins 11 Chris Wyles (c) 12 Nick Tompkins 13 Tom Griffiths 14 Mike Ellery 15 Matt Gallagher
Replacements (All used): Christopher Tolofua, Richard Barrington, Kieran Longbottom, Mark Flanagan, Schalk Burger, Jackson Wray, Henry Taylor, Alex Lozowski, Tom Whiteley, Nathan Earle, Dominic Morris.
USA Islanders: 1. Olive Kilifi (Captain) 2. Lote Tuipulotu 3. Huluholo Moungaloa 4. Sione Tuihalamaka 5. Ekapatelisio Veamatahau 6. Pagopagohokma Haini 7. Faafetai Te’o 8. Saia Uhila 9. Deveraux Ferris (Vice Captain) 10. Martini Talapusi 11. Joeli Tikoisuva 12. Sani Taylor 13. Matai Leuta 14. Viliami Huihui 15. Misitana Afeaki 16. Lolenisi Veimau 18. Peyton Telea 19. Kirk Hamilton 20. Veuki Taumoefolau 21. Colton Cariaga 22. Tesimoni Tongauiha 23. Paul Eteaki 24. Gerson Blaise
Saracens Scoring: 92-0; 14 Tries: Mike Ellery, Max Malins, Chris Wyles (x3), Tom Griffiths, Henry Taylor (x3), Nathan Earle (x3), Alex Lozowski, Ben Earl.
