Match Centre: Gallagher Premiership: Saracens 12-18 Northampton

Saracens 12-18 Northampton, StoneX Stadium

Northampton Saints managed to hold off Saracens in a closely fought Gallagher Premiership encounter as they sealed a 18-12 victory at StoneX Stadium on Saturday.

The result has brought an end to a five game winning streak of Saracens despite which they remain at fourth place with 25 points while the Saints now have climbed to the fifth place in the table.

Fin Smith had a chance to open the account for the Saints but his kick from the tee drifted wide. Manu Vunipola came close to scoring after collecting an offload from Nick Tompkins but was stopped by Courtney Lawes before Smith made amends for his earlier mistake with a three-pointer in the 18th minute.

Smith doubled Northampton's lead with his second penalty goal around the half-hour mark and the home side once again looked to score but the maul was held up as they headed into the break with a six point trail.

The opening try of the game came in the 51st minute when Ollie Sleightholme collected a crossfield kick to touchdown and Smith followed with the conversion to make it 0-13.

Saracens eventually opened their account in the 59th minute when Vunipola sent a 20m pass for Tom Parton to dot down but the fly half missed the conversion as the scoreline remained at 5-13 before Alex Mitchell collected a high ball to touchdown for the visitors restoring their 13 point lead.

As the game entered the final eight minutes, Alex Lewington collected a grubber kick from Goode to give Sarries some hope but Northampton held their defence to complete a thrilling win.

Team line up:

Saracens: Goode; Maitland, Cinti, Tompkins, Parton; Manu Vunipola, Van Zyl; West, Dan, Clarey, Itoje (capt), McFarland, Gonzalez, Christie, B Vunipola

Reserves: George, Mako Vunipola, Judge, Tizard, Knight, Davies, Hartley, Lewington.

Northampton: Furbank (capt); Seabrook, Freeman, Dingwall, Sleightholme; Smith, James; Waller, Matavesi, Davison, Munga, Coles, Lawes, Pearson, Graham.

Reserves: Langdon, Waller, Mills, Mayanavanua, Scott-Young, Mitchell, Litchfield, Hendy.