ACC, r2: "I'm just enjoying myself", says Toulon match-winner Jonny Wilkinson

15 October 2009

Toulon 31 (18) Saracens 23 (9)

Two first-half tries in four minutes from Fijian centre Gabriele Lovobalavu set Toulon on their way to a convincing 31-23 win against Saracens in Pool 3.

Philippe Saint-André's team proved too strong for the unbeaten Guinness Premiership leaders, with England internationals Jonny Wilkinson and Tom May also starring for the home side.

Wilkinson kicked 16 of his team's points - through four penalties and two conversions, while May capped a good game at inside centre with a 42nd-minute try - his first for the club.

Their efforts will have pleased on-looking England coaches Brian Smith and Tony Ford as Toulon maintained their winning start in the Amlin Challenge Cup, following last weekend's 33-17 away win at Castres.

Both players were hoping to attract the selectors' attentions ahead of the forthcoming November internationals, although Wilkinson is virtually assured of a starting place as long as he can stay fit.

Amlin Challenge Cup - Pool results and tables

The 30-year-old has been in excellent form for his new team since crossing the Channel in the summer, and is one of only two French-based players currently in England's Elite Player Squad.

"Maybe I'm just doing it all a bit slower these days," reflected Wilkinson after the win. "All the guys are doing everything they can to help the cause and that's part of what is being produced here, a bunch of guys that want to do well for each other," he told Sky Sports.

On his own form Wilkinson added: "I hope it's something that I can keep going and I can last at. I'm just enjoying myself and trying to build on my own performances as well. It's a great place to be and it helps with these guys around me."

The match was also notable for the playing return of England captain Steve Borthwick following his recent eye injury, sustained when he was kicked during a match by Gloucester's French hooker Olivier Azam.

Saint-André named a virtual full-strength starting XV as he made Toulon's ambitions abundantly clear, especially with the carrot of a Heineken Cup slot for this year's ACC winners.

Saracens went into the game on the back of five successive wins in the Premiership, and took the early lead when South African fly-half Derick Hougaard slotted a 12th-minute penalty. But Wilkinson replied with a brace of his own before the first of Lovobalavu's two tries in four minutes just before the half-hour mark.

The 24-year-old went over in the 29th and 33rd minutes as Toulon opened up an 18-9 half-time advantage, a lead they extended further when May touched down two minutes after the restart following an incisive break by winger Christian Loamanu.

Wilkinson kicked two of this conversion attempts, and a further pair of penalties, with Saracens at least getting a try back of their own when Wikus Van Heerden scored after an hour. Winger Richard Haughton added a second try two minutes from time as he intercepted as Toulon pressed for the attacking bonus, with Hougaard again kicking the extras as Saracens ended the match positively by cutting the deficit to just seven points.

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