Only one change was made to the previous week's starting line-up with Ben Skirving taking over for the injured Chris Jack, Don Barrell taking his place on the bench.

On a wet and windy night the kickers took control of the game - Saracens fly-half Glen Jackson kicked five penalties and a drop goal, whilst opposite number Adrian Jarvis missed four of his seven attempts.

With the adverse conditions and a referee that seemed to blow his whistle every few minutes, there was no flow to the game. But in spite of this Saracens showed more attacking intent.

A try was nearly scored early on when a skilful inside pass from Jackson set Ratuvou over the line, but the winger was deemed to have knocked on whilst bursting through.

From the subsequent scrum the pack continued their dominant form and won the ball against the head. The backs constructed a well-worked move and Ratuvou made amends for his mistake by diving over for a try in the corner.

Jackson's conversion was pushed wide.

The Saracens' try galvanised the Bristol side and they immediately struck back with a converted try of their own through David Lemi, Jarvis extending the lead minutes later with a penalty.

Adam Powell was forced off halfway through the first half with a knee injury. The centre was replaced by Chris Wyles.

Jackson then scored a further two penalties from Bristol mistakes to make the score 11-10 to the men in black at half time.

To add to Sarries' injury troubles, full-back Richard Haughton was replaced at half time with a head and foot injury, this meant scrum-half Neil de Kock moving to the wing, with Moses Rauluni taking his place behind the pack.

The second half was a battle of the boot with the respective fly-halves trading kicks at goal, Jackson came out on top with a further three penalties and a drop goal to make the full time score 23-16.

Sarries should have put more points over a team that before this game had not yet scored a bonus point - the inaccuracy of Bristol's kicking and an impressive Sarries scrum was the main difference between the two teams.

There is now a six week break in the Guinness Premiership to allow for EDF Energy and European Challenge Cup matches, starting with Sarries playing host to Llanelli Scarlets on Sunday afternoon.

To see how they get on keep your eye on these sports pages and read next week's Gazette.