A creditable AEI performance against what turned out to be the Saracens first XV. AEI took the field with the team 15 players actually selected, which was an occasion in itself, but this again did little to help AEI’s characteristic early torpor. The first 20 minutes all belonged Saracens who went into a 10-0 lead following a penalty and converted try. AEI then upped their game and the forwards eventually began to win some ball at the lineout, where Saracens had dominated early on. Saracens had to withstand a number of incisive AEI attacks but then hit back with another try before halftime.
The second half again started with Saracens in the driving seat and they were soon on the scoresheet again. AEI finally roused themselves and spent the last 20 minutes on the attack, with man of the match Steve Oxberry and winger Rob Goode to the fore. The Saracens defence eventually gave way at the death when hooker Andy Clark finished off a fine forwards move. Mark McDonough scored the conversion to give AEI some pride.