Saracens eclipsed the highest ever score in European competition with a scintillating 17-try romp over Bologna in Pool Eight of The Parker Pen European Shield at Vicarage Road on Sunday, October 28.

The huge winning margin beat the total of 108 scored by Toulouse against Ebbw Vale in the Heineken Cup in 1998 and confirmed Sarries as one of the tournament favourites.

Hooker Matt Cairns opened the account after only four minutes and went on to complete a first-half hat-trick.

Leading 53-0 at the break, Irish winger Darragh O'Mahony bagged four second-half tries, including a hat-trick inside four minutes.

Kieran Roche and the electric Richard Haughton both scored two each, while fly-half Jannie de Beer kicked 13 conversions and a try in a personal match haul of 31 points.

"We played some brilliantly rugby and scored some fantastic tries," said Saracens chief executive Francois Pienaar.

Saracens: Sparg, Haughton, Horan, Sorrell, O'Mahony, de Beer, Walshe; Flatman, Cairns, Phillips, Hooper, K Benazzi, Cheesebrough, Roques, Roche.

Replacements: Harbut, Parkes, Halsey, Hill, Hampson, Winnan, Arasa.

Bologna: Accorsi; Merlino, Sasdelli, Gianesini (G), Gianesini (M), Brolis, Livotto; Mauro, Bellaprima, Masuero, Pasin, Erasmus, Arancio, Di Comite, De Klerk.

Replacements: Debellis, Leonardi, Branca, Zancuoghi, De Anna, Montanari

October 30, 2001 15:30