THERE were just a few worrying signs with the match in the final quarter that Saracens, for all their muscle and bustle, would not be able to overhaul Northampton and would subside to what would have been a devastating defeat. Yet their sheer exuberance and passion eventually wore down Northampton, and they made their winning scores late on when their pressure had caused infringements and ushered two Saints into the sin-bin.

The match itself gave nobody the impression that these two vibrant teams are anything resembling the finished article. Saracens, for all the hard work of Michael Owen and Hugh Vyvyan up front and the forthright natures of Kevin Sorrell and Adam Powell in midfield, lacked composure at the breakdown and the class and patience to cash in on their approach work.

On the other side, Northampton lacked a lineout and, although they had sacks of class in Carlos Spencer and the accomplished young Stephen Myler, they lacked an attacking rhythm. In the end, they were worn down and left to rue the chances they did not take either side of half-time.

There were two other agenda items which affected it. One, this was the first in a searing burst of three games in a week which all the Guinness Premiership teams are playing. They are doing so to free up a date later in the season so that the Lions do not have to start their tour of South Africa on the same day as the Premiership final. Hearty congratulations to the endurance of the players and the gesture of Premier Rugby Limited (PRL). That body was castigated by the unbearably anxious Scottish Rugby Union last week but PRL’s gesture in adding a midweek match to the fixture list to help the Lions is statesmanlike.

The other problem is the law experiments, together with the belated orders from the International Rugby Board that the breakdown be refereed strictly. Needless to say, nobody in the southern hemisphere is bothering with this stricture.

Furthermore, the experimental laws are now taking a colossal toll on rugby, with every leading coach in the European game and a growing number Down Under castigating them. If the IRB had any bottle whatsoever, they would save this whole season by abandoning every experiment here and now. The most ghastly aspect of all is that the most ridiculous experiments are not even being trialled here.

So, at Vicarage Road we had two teams trying to find their way through the morass, and with Martin Fox, the referee, on alert at the breakdown. Last week, Fox was unlucky enough to become the first referee in history to be attacked by the sport’s authorities.

Until now, such has been the sanctity of referees that he would always be backed up, even if he had sent off a player who could prove beyond all doubt that he had been on another continent at the time of the alleged offence. Fox, though, was criticised for his handling of the recent Wasps-Worcester game, which resulted in citings for James Haskell and Richard Birkett.

Yesterday, there was no real sign of the game breaking free until well into the second half. Northampton led by 9-6 in the middle of the half and were given a boot in the backside when Myler, from a famous rugby league family and exuding composure, dropped a massive goal to make it 12-6.

Until this stage, Saracens’ inability to retain the ball in contact, and their attempts to force it to keep moves alive, had cost them and, indeed, it was Northampton who had looked more dangerous. Both Joe Ansbro and Spencer in the first hour were recalled after crossing the line for forward passes.

However, even by the time of Myler’s drop goal, Saracens had increased the pace and intensity, and Northampton had started to infringe in desperation. Ben Foden, the Northampton replacement, was sent to the sin-bin after 65 minutes – and Saints were lucky that he was the first. Saracens went for the scrum, then whipped the ball wide. Glen Jackson and Sorrell looped in midfield and the dangerous Rodd Penney scored in the corner.

Soon after, with Saracens now charging, Dylan Hartley killed the ball to stop an attack and was sent to the bin. From the ensuing scrum, it was reasonably easy for Owen to find a path for a try under the posts against a denuded pack of forwards. It was a flourishing end, and one that earned praise from Saracens director of rugby Eddie Jones.

The former Australia coach has been delighted by the form of Owen and the club’s other big summer signing, Steve Borthwick. “Owen’s displaying some of the form we saw with Wales a couple of years ago. He’s a very talented player,” Jones said. “Borthwick works hard and I’m really happy with his contribution. They have fitted in really well.”

Star man:Kevin Sorrell (Saracens)

Referee:M Fox (RFU)

Attendance:7,409 Scorers: Saracens:Tries: Penney 66, Owen 72. Cons: Jackson (2). Pens: Jackson (3), Ross Northampton:Pens: Myler (3). DG: Myler Yellow cards: Northampton:Foden (65min), Hartley (70min)

SARACENS:R Haughton (C Wyles 53min); R Penney, K Sorrell, A Powell, K Ratuvou; G Jackson (G Ross 73min), N de Kock (M Rauluni 73min); M Aguero (C Johnston 79min), F Ongaro (M Cairns 68min), C Johnston (C Visagie 68min), S Borthwick (capt), H Vyvyan (K Chesney 73min), C Jack (B Skirving ht), M Owen, A Saull

NORTHAMPTON:S Myler; B Reihana (capt), J Ansbro, J Downey (C Mayor 12min), S Lamont; C Spencer, L Dickson (B Foden 52min); S Tonga’uiha (B Stewart 54min), D Hartley, E Murray (T Smith 54min), I Fernandez Lobbe (A Rae 46min), C Day (P Shields 71min), M Hopley (B Lewitt 71min), R Wilson, S Gray