Match Centre: Saracens 20-19 Bristol Bears

Saracens 20-19 Bristol Bears, Stonex Stadium

Francois Hougaard scored the decisive try in the end as Saracens came from behind to edge out Bristol Bears 20-19 in the latest round of the Gallagher Premiership at Stonex Stadium on Saturday.

This is 12th win for Saracens in 13 games as they consolidated their position at the top of the table with 56 points. They also extended their unbeaten run at the StoneX Stadium to 14 matches while Bristol are languishing at the bottom of the table.

Saracens were without a number of internationals including seven of England's but they launched two early attacks with Rotimi Segun piling the pressure on Semi Radrada while Alex Lewington then made a 40 metre break but was held back by Bristol defence.

A 11th minute penalty goal from AJ MacGinty got Bristol off the mark before Radradra was then denied the first try after a TMO consultation for a forward pass in the build up. Saracens came close to scoring once again as Manu Vunipola launched an attack but they were penalised inches away following a five-metre line out.

Eventually the opening try came just before the break as Harry Thacker dived from close range to open their account while MacGinty missed a conversion and a penalty chance despite which they visitors had a 0-8 lead at the end of the opening half.

Goode missed a penalty chance early in the second half as Saracens continued to remain scoreless before James Williams with a three-pointer of his own extended Bristol's lead to 0-11.

A huge carry from Billy Vunipola then sparked the hosts in to life, and Alex Goode made no mistake from the penalty to get Sarries on the board. Just as they looked to have gained some momentum though another penalty from Williams reinstated their 11 point lead.

Saracens clawed their way back into the game as Theodor Dan dotted down after a penalty was kicked in the corner and Goode's conversion reduced the deficit down to four points.

As the game entered the final 10 minutes, Ibitoye dived in the corner to extend Bristol's lead to 10-19 but Kapeli Pifeleti and Goode combined to send Segun over the line for the hosts and the decisive moment came in the 80th minute when Hougaard on his debut dived in the corner to seal a thrilling win.

Team line up:

Saracens: Goode, Segun, Lozowski, Taylor, Lewington, M. Vunipola, Davies; Hislop, Dan, Judge, Kitchener, Tizard, Christie, Wray (c), B. Vunipola.

Reserves: Pifeleti, Mawi, Clarey, Boo, Ellis, Van Zyl, Tompkins, Hougaard.

Bristol Bears: Lane, Naulago, Radradra, Williams, Ibitoye, MacGinty, Randall; Thomas, Thacker, Lahiff, Batley, Vui, Luatua (c), Heenan, Bradbury.

Reserves: Byrne, Woolmore, Benz-Salomon, Holmes, Harding, Uren, Sheedy, Bates.