Match Centre: Gallagher Premiership: Saracens 39-31 Bristol

Saracens 39-31 Bristol, StoneX Stadium

Saracens managed to hold off a spirited Bristol side as they sealed a 39-31 win in the latest round of the Gallagher Premiership at StoneX Stadium.

This is fifth consecutive win for Saracens as they move to the second place in the table while Bristol are at the eighth place after managing just two wins from seven matches.

Saracens made a brisk start to the game as Owen Farrell collected the ball from the corner and went past the Bristol defender to touchdown in the 7th minute and four minutes later Alex Goode released Alex Lewington for their second try. Farrell though missed out on both the conversions as they raced to a 10-0 lead.

The response from Bristol came in the 20th minute as Callum Sheedy offloaded to Joe Batley as he forced his way over but his efforts was negated with Billy Vunipola diving from close range but once again Farrell's conversion drifted wide making it 15-7.

Just when Saracens thought they completed the opening half with a lead, Bristol came back strong with Ellis Genge and Gabriel Oghre scoring back to back tries to seize back the lead as the teams completed the opening half with a 15-21 scoreline.

Farrell missed another penalty chance early in the second half but Lewington collected a cross field kick from the England captain to score his second try of the day making it 22-21 before Sheedy's penalty goal put the visitors in front once again.

Saracens once again seized control as Elliot Daly forced a penalty following which Jamie George dotted down. Farrell kicked the conversion but missed a drop goal attempt in the 67th minute. A minute later Tom Willis picked the ball from the base of a ruck to dive from close range but once again Farrell's kicking was off target making it 34-24.

Even though Kieran Marmion's try gave Bristol a lot of hope heading into the final 10 minutes, their chances were hampered by sin bin to Fitz Harding following which George completed his second try to steer Saracens to an eight point victory.

Team line up:

Saracens: Goode, Lewington, Daly, Tompkins, Parton, Farrell (c), Davies; M. Vunipola, George, Judge, Itoje, Tizard, Willis, Christie, B. Vunipola.

Reserves: Pifeleti, Mawi, Clarey, McFarland, Knight, Simpson, Hartley, Maitland.

Bristol: Malins, Ibitoye, Vakatawa, Janse van Rensburg, Lane, Sheedy, Randall; Genge, Oghre, Sinckler, Dun, Batley, Heenan, Thomas, Harding (c).

Reserves: Thacker, Woolmore, Kloska, Caulfield, Pearce, Mamion, Williams, Ravouvou.