Saracens survive Ospreys scare to register 36-34 win

Saracens 36-34 Ospreys, Allianz Park
Scorecard

Saracens maintained their winning streak in the ongoing European Champions Cup campaign with a close 36-34 win over Ospreys at Allianz Park.

The visitors suffered a setback just before the start of the game when Justin Tipuric and Dan Lydiate were ruled out due to back injuries and they were already without injured scrum-half Rhys Webb.

Chris Wyles set the tone for Saracens in the game with a seventh minute try and Owen Farrell slotted the conversion to take them to a 7-0 lead. Ospreys bounced back strong with a double from Dan Evans in the 10th and 18th minutes and Dan Biggar added two conversions and a penalty as the Welsh regional side claimed 10 points lead.

Just at the stroke of half time, Schalk Brits went past the line and a penalty and a conversion from Farrell on either side meant the scores were levelled 17-17 leading into the second half.

Biggar provided further advantage to Ospreys with a penalty at the start of the second half but Evans could not replicate his good work in the first half as he was sin-binned for a deliberate knock on in the 54th minute that also resulted in a penalty try for the Sarries.

At the end of the third quarter, Saracens were leading by 29-20 following a touchdown from Liam Williams. Even though a late burst from Ospreys with tries from Owen Watkin and Sam Cross helped them stage a strong comeback but Sarries managed to hold on to their nerve with Nick Tompkins 72nd try proved just enough as they wrapped up a 36-34 victory.