Sarries in control to start title defence in fine style
Bristol Bears22
Saracens ……35
SARACENS opened their season with maximum points at Bristol Bears.
Bears started and finished with a growl, but the reigning champions dominated the crucial parts of the game to ensure a winning start to the season.
Alex Austerberry's side came straight out of the blocks and forced a penalty in the opening minute, which Lisa Martin duly slotted between the posts.
It wasn't long before the Bears began to apply pressure on the Sarries line, though, and scored the first try when Siwan Lillicrap broke free down the right to free up Lucy Burgess.
She, in turn, off-loaded for Lucy Attwood to score.
Sonia Green was shown a yellow card on 20 minutes and the Bears capitalised immediately, Keira Bevan peeling off the back of a driving maul to score on her debut.
But the lead lasted no more than a minute as a strong carry from Hannah Botterman created space for Vicky Fleetwood to race down the left and put Saracens' first try on the board.
Martin added another three from the tee, before a fine break from Fleetwood allowed Lotte Clapp to step through the defence and slide in for her side's second try.
More accurate kicking from Martin gave Sarries a ten-point lead at the break.
Saracens wasted no time in asserting their secondhalf dominance, keeping the Bears camped inside their 22 and Jeani Layola eventually made them pay after some strong carries.
Sarries added a bonus point just before the hour as Chantelle Miell burst clear to dot down and all but seal Bristol's fate.
There was still time for the Bears to earn a bonus point though as Lauren Smyth produced some fancy footwork to put Bevan in, before Clara Nelson added a fourth try.
