Strettle brace enough for Sarries

David Strettle scored a brace of tries as Saracens ground out a 22-6 Aviva Premiership win over London Irish at Allianz Park.

Saracens overcame the rain, wind as well as their opponents to keep the pressure up on pacesetters Northampton and Bath.

Strettle touched down twice while Owen Farrell landed four penalties while Irish could only manage six points from Tom Homer's boot in reply.

Homer could have given Irish the lead but missed a long-range penalty attempt and Farrell took his first chance soon after.

After Shane Geraghty kicked the ball dead, Saracens bulldozed Irish at the ensuing scrum and from the penalty, Farrell made no mistake.

More Saracens pressure resulted in the first try of the game with quick hands from Neil de Kock, Farrell and Nick Tompkins released Strettle in the right corner, although Farrell missed the difficult conversion.

From 11-0 down at the break, London Irish finally got on the board when Homer landed a penalty early in the second half, and he scored another two minutes later.

Farrell then stalled Irish's comeback with another two penalties, the second coming after Billy Vunipola, enjoying a fine game, forced an infringement.

And the seal was put on the win when Strettle crossed again after excellent work from George Kruis, Farrell, Duncan Taylor and Ben Ransom.