Premiership: Saracens 39-31 Bristol - Hosts come from behind to claim seven-try win

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Alex Lewington touches the ball down for a tryGetty Images

Alex Lewington scored two tries for Saracens to take his tally for the season to six

Gallagher Premiership

Saracens: (15) 39

Tries: Farrell, Lewington 2, B Vunipola, George 2, Willis Cons: Farrell 2

Bristol: (21) 31

Tries: Batley, Genge, Oghre, Marmion Pen: Sheedy Cons: Sheedy 4

Saracens fought off a spirited Bristol to score seven tries and claim a bonus-point victory at StoneX Stadium.

Owen Farrell, Alex Lewington and Billy Vunipola scored for Saracens, with a Joe Batley try for the Bears.

But Ellis Genge and Gabriel Oghre scores put Bristol ahead at the break.

A second from Lewington was followed by two from Jamie George and Tom Willis to all but wrap up the victory, as Kieran Marmion's try meant Bristol took away a point despite a fifth loss.

Despite a valiant effort Bristol's winless record at StoneX Stadium continues and their fifth defeat in a row now leaves them in eighth with 12 points.

Farrell opened the scoring inside eight minutes as Bristol defended a line-out maul but could not cover the space that opened up on the left as Sarries moved the ball wide for the England captain to cross.

Lewington followed four minutes later with his fourth try of the season after some quick passing through the backs saw him touch down in the corner and make it 10-0.

The Bears crucially retaliated with their own try, Benhard Janse van Rensburg doing the initial damage to break down the wing before Callum Sheedy offloaded to Batley, who had just enough left under a tackle by two backs to stretch over between the posts.

But Saracens had their third try inside half an hour as Bristol paid the price for repeatedly losing possession and territory, Vunipola going down the short side to cross from close range.

A third missed conversion from Farrell left the lead narrower than it could have been, and when Genge drove over from Bristol's own attacking line-out six minutes before the break the visitors cut the gap to a point.

Oghre then turned the match on its head as Bristol took a 21-15 lead on half-time, winning a penalty at the scrum to kick to the corner and scoring from the resulting line-out.

Saracens have only lost twice at home since returning to the top flight in 2021 and their imperious form with a full-strength team gradually showed. Lewington's second try of the afternoon with some nimble ball-handling was followed by a Sheedy penalty to keep Bristol in touch.

George then crossed for his first try from a line-out maul, before Willis added the sixth to cap a fine run from Theo McFarland.

Bristol refused to concede the win and Kieron Mamion's try after a break from Gabriel Ibitoye set up a nervous 10 minutes at 34-29.

Fitz Harding's yellow left Bristol a man down with five minutes to go, before George's second try secured the win to move Saracens up to second.

Saracens number eight Billy Vunipola told BBC Sport:

"The scoreline doesn't tell the whole story. Probably a bit frustrating especially after what we did last week [beating Harlequins]. It's a win but the exciting bit is there's loads to work on - loads.

"Bristol wouldn't go away but a lot of it was down to our own doing, especially that try with Ibitoye. I don't think we chased hard enough and those are the things we pride ourselves on.

"We were a bit off it today - I can't put my finger on it. Most teams would take it, but for us that was very frustrating."

Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam told BBC Radio Bristol:

"Really proud of the boys, right through hanging in there.

"They scored three tries off our mistakes early and our discipline and some of the calls, but had every reason like most teams do when they get here to sit back - but they came back at them.

"We took the lead before half-time and it was neck-and-neck right through that second half.

"Proud we got the one, disappointed we didn't get a few more, but proud of the effort.

"The key is perseverance. This is life - you keep pushing and if you're digging a tunnel keep digging and keep digging because we can see light at the end of it."

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

Replacements: 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).

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

Sin-bin: Fitz Harding (75 mins)

Referee: Luke Pearce

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