Saracens beat Bristol to boost top-four hopes

Saracens' Jamie George is tackled by Bristol's Joe Owen during their key win at Ashton Gate. [Getty Images]

The Prem

Bristol (21) 26

Tries: Harding, Thacker, Moroni, Ravouvou Cons: Jordan 3

Saracens (34) 41

Tries: Willis, Tizard, Segun, Earl, Burke, Elliott Cons: Burke 3, Farrell Pens: Burke

Saracens scored six tries as they recorded a 10th straight win over injury-hit Bristol Bears to boost their hopes of a top-four place in the Prem.

They took full advantage of some hapless defending by Bristol at Ashton Gate to run in four tries in a 13-minute spell in the first half through Tom Willis, Hugh Tizard, Rotimi Segun and Ben Earl.

Fergus Burke added the fifth, while Fitz Harding, Harry Thacker, Matias Moroni and Kalaveti Ravouvou scored for the Bears before Tobias Elliott crossed a minute from the end for Sarries.

The sixth-placed visitors have now moved to within two points of Exeter and Bristol, who are fifth and fourth respectively.

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Bristol signed Fred Davies from Doncaster Knights as emergency cover to boost their beleagured squad but they drew first blood when captain Harding burst over from a line-out on the right to cross over near the posts.

Saracens responded with a Burke penalty before Willis touched down from a rolling maul following a line-out to give them an 8-7 lead.

Tizard extended Saracens' advantage on 20 minutes when he pirouetted over for a try before Thacker popped out at the back of a maul to run round and make it 15-12.

Bristol then went to sleep, racking up 15 missed tackles, as Burke made the break far too easily before feeding Segun to score a simple try.

Three minutes later Earl went over for Sarries' fourth and bonus-point try and they were threatening to win by a wide margin.