Summary

  • Victory takes Bath top of the table on points difference

  • Saracens also record third win from three this term

  • FT: Bath 37-22 Worcester

  • FT: Saracens 27-12 Northampton

  • FT: Exeter 36-25 Harlequins

  1. try

    Try (George, Lozowski missed con)published at 56 mins

    Saracens 14-12 Northampton

    And straight away, Saracens have the first try of the afternoon seconds after Waller was sent to the bin.

    Maro Itoje claims the lien-out easily and finds Billy Vunipola.

    The number eight then finds England international colleague Jamie George, who peels round the defence and dabs down in the corner.

    Alex Lozowski misses the extras in the swirling wind.

  2. Sin-bin (Waller)published at 56 mins

    Saracens 9-12 Northampton

    After a lengthy consultation, Saints prop Alex Waller gets shown a yellow for that clash with Jamie George.

    It looks to be the right decision,

    Saracens go for the corner in a bid for the try.

  3. Postpublished at 56 mins

    Saracens 9-12 Northampton

    There's a break in play here as Saracens hooker Jame George is dump-tackled by Saints prop Alex Waller at the breakdown as George looks to get to the ball.

    There are then a few afters, with players from both sides piling in.

    Greg Garner goes to the television match official for a verdict as to whether there has been foul play.

  4. Elsewherepublished at 16:27 British Summer Time 17 September 2016

    Bath 20-17 Worcester; Exeter 36-13 Harlequins

    Ding, dong it is on at The Rec. A fierce battle is going on as Bath play catch-up. 

    First the television match official studies a Semesa Rokoduguni effort. No try. Soon after Matt Banahan gets on the end of a George Ford kick. With a successful conversion, Bath edge ahead 20-17.

    At Sandy Park, there is no change as Exeter lead Harlequins 36-13.

  5. Postpublished at 54 mins

    Saracens 9-12 Northampton

    Saracens up the tempo and threaten again, with Alex Goode starting the attack from full-back.

    Sarries go through the phases and enter the Northampton 22 but then Mako Vunipola loses the ball and Saints clear to touch.

    The hosts have upped the tempo.

  6. Penalty (Myler)published at 51 mins

    Saracens 9-12 Northampton

    Northampton's Stephen MylerImage source, Getty Images

    After looking at the replays, Wigglesworth is penalised for his retaliatory shove on Alex Waller.

    That gives Northampton a kick at goal and this time Stephen Myler makes no mistake from the tee for a 12-9 lead.

    With the wind behind them, Saints could take control of this match.

  7. Postpublished at 50 mins

    Saracens 9-9 Northampton

    Saracens have a moment of panic in defence after a penalty from Lozowski didn't find touch.

    Northampton kick back up field and put Alex Goode under pressure.

    Goode does well to hold it up, Richard Wigglesworth finds touch and then receives a shove from Saints prop Alex Waller.

    The England man then has a dig back and it all gets a bit tasty momentarily.

    Referee Greg Garner goes to the television match official as Kieran Brooks also collides with Schalk Burger.

    Saracens' Alex Goode is lifted in a tackle by Northampton's Lee DicksonImage source, Rex Features
  8. Elsewherepublished at 16:17 British Summer Time 17 September 2016

    Bath 13-17 Worcester; Exeter 36-13 Harlequins

    Bath with the first try of the second half at The Rec, oh and how the home fans love it!

    England international Anthony Watson grabs the try under the posts. A break from Leroy Houston had the faithful up and cheering home that score. George Ford adds the extras. Game on.

    At Sandy Park, Luke Cowan-Dickie completes his hat-trick as the hosts lead Harlequins 36-13.

  9. Postpublished at 47 mins

    Saracens 9-9 Northampton

    It's been pretty tight at the start of the second half, with the pattern of the first period continuing.

    Saracens full-back Alex Goode sets up an attack from full-back after gathering a clearing kick from the Saints.

    Sarries are using their kicking game to try and get back in the lead.

  10. Missed penalty (Myler)published at 43 mins

    Saracens 9-9 Northampton

    Northampton win the first penalty of the second half, right on halfway.

    With the wind behind him Stephen Myler decides to have a pop at goal from just inside his own half.

    However, his attempt goes just wide. He looks a bit unhappy with himself.

    Sarries made a change at the break, bringing Juan Figallo on for Petrus Du Plessis in the front row.

  11. Kick-offpublished at 16:07 British Summer Time 17 September 2016

    Bath 6-17 Worcester; Exeter 29-13 Harlequins

    It's is all to do for Bath as they look to avoid their first defeat of the season. Visitors Worcester will have been happy with their first-half efforts.

  12. Kick-offpublished at 16:06 British Summer Time 17 September 2016

    Saracens 9-9 Northampton

    Northampton fly-half Stephen Myler gets the second half started at Allianz Park.

    Saracens are now playing into the wind in north London.

    We can probably expect another physical 40 minutes in the capital. The respective packs were locked in a tense battle in the first half.

    Michael Paterson of Northampton is tackled by Michael RhodesImage source, Getty Images
  13. Saints to let it go?published at 16:00 British Summer Time 17 September 2016

    HT: Saracens 9-9 Northampton

    Northampton level away at reigning champions Saracens right now, captain Tom Wood will have plenty of words of encouragement for his Saints teammates.

    What is he likely to say? Um... maybe "let it go".

    Why? Well, turns out he is a big Disney fan and the hit anthem from the movie Frozen gets the man motivated when in the gym.

    Now, don't expect him to break into song and a talking snowman to pop up on the pitch, but any reason to mention a Disney movie and get a song stuck in your head is just not worth missing. 

    Mickey MouseImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Wrong sport, yes. But Mickey Mouse loves sport and we love Mickey Mouse

  14. Hitting the books with Sarriespublished at 15:56 British Summer Time 17 September 2016

    HT: Saracens 9-9 Northampton

    Books. Check. Pencil. Check. Scum cap, mouth guard, boots... um, check.

    In a rare mix of sport and academics, Premiership champions and European Cup holders Saracens will run one of a new wave free schools approved to open in England.

    Sarries are among a total of 77 new approved state-funded schools, run by academy trusts, community groups, parents and teachers, say ministers.  

    Saracens High School, a new secondary for north London, is the result of a partnership between the club and another local school, Ashmole Academy, says the Department for Education.

    It is very much a redefinition of school of hard knocks as they aim to combine academic achievement with sporting success and teamwork.

    Mako VunipolaImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Mako Vunipola is expected to stick to big tackles, rather than make a move into academics

  15. Half-timepublished at 15:53 British Summer Time 17 September 2016

    Bath 6-17 Worcester; Exeter 29-13 Harlequins

    Worcester's Tom Heathcote and Bath's George Ford trade late penalties, but it is the visitors who have run in two unanswered tries as they lead 17-6 at The Rec.

    Exeter lead Harlequins 29-13, with Gareth Steenson kicking up a penalty since the last update here.

  16. Half-timepublished at 15:50 British Summer Time 17 September 2016

    Saracens 9-9 Northampton

    Stephen Myler kicks to touch and the half-time whistle goes at Allianz Park.

    It has been a physical battle in north London and it's all level between Saracens and Northampton.

    Alex Lozowski has kicked three penalties for the champions, with Myler replying with three for the Saints.

    Maro Itoje of Saracens is stopped by Mikey Haywood and Teimana Harrison of NorthamptonImage source, Rex Features
  17. Penalty (Lozowski)published at 38 mins

    Saracens 9-9 Northampton

    Alex Lozowski launches a massive kick from almost on half way, with the wind behind him, to level things up once more.

    Although it has been low-scoring, the clash between these two powerful packs has been intriguing at Allianz Park.

  18. Elsewherepublished at 15:46 British Summer Time 17 September 2016

    Bath 3-14 Worcester; Exeter 26-13 Harlequins

    Worcester score their second try of the afternoon,  Dean Hammond with a powerful run gets past Tom Homer to dot down.

    In the process of going over, Hammond is injured and is replaced by Josh Adams.

    At Sandy Park, Luke Cowan-Dick is the second Exeter player to complete a brace of tries and the hosts are looking good for their 26-13 lead.

  19. Postpublished at 35 mins

    Saracens 6-9 Northampton

    This has been a real attritional battle between the two forward packs this afternoon.

    From another Saints scrum the visitors spread the ball right and George and Ken Pisi combine to launch an attack down the wing.

    However, Ken's kick forward goes straight into touch and Northampton lose the momentum of their attack.

    Saracens and Northampton locked in a scrumImage source, Rex Features
  20. Penalty (Myler)published at 31 mins

    Saracens 6-9 Northampton

    Saints have a chance for another shot at the posts after Sarries prop Mako Vunipola infringed at the scrum.

    It was centrally located, about 38 metres out, but a tricky one into the wind.

    Stephen Myler makes no mistake though, and puts the visitors back ahead.

    Can Northampton head into the break in the lead?