Saracens closing in on finishing line

JUST like Manchester City, Saracens become remorseless when the finishing line looms into view.

- PAUL REES

Bristol may have been on a run of six successive victories but they became enmeshed in the web exquisitely spun by the champions.

The more the Bears tried to extricate themselves, the more stuck they became. It was a masterly display by Saracens who conceded an early 10-point lead as they looked to respond to Bristol’s running game in kind.

In the previous round at Bath, they accepted the invitation to an arm wrestle and ground down the home side. Here they hustled free-flowing Bristol into mistakes and gorged off them, a team for all weather and occasions.

Their two tries in a first half that saw them recover from 10 points down to lead by 10 at the break came from moves that started when Bristol, buoyed by Joe Batley’s early try that followed Harry Randall’s quick thinking, were in possession. And so did their two after the break.