Bristol Bears ..10 Saracens ……..36
POPPY Cleall scored twice on her return from England duty to secure another bonus point victory for Saracens and keep pace with Harlequins at the top of the table.
Sydney Gregson grabbed the first try after Sarries had dominated the opening five minutes. Aggressive defence forced Bristol into touch and after a strong lineout drive Gregson broke a tackle in midfield to touch down.
Saracens had their second score minutes later after a break down the left flank from Marlie Packer set up position and the ball was moved in-field to Sophie De Goede who notched her first try for the club.
Gregson then burst through Bristol's defensive line with another run, leading to Cleall's first score from the base of the resulting ruck as Sarries showed great execution to extend their lead to 17-0.
However, the Bears soon found their claws. After a series of penalties and lineout mauls, loosehead prop Simi Pam exploited a gap on the edge of the breakdown to score before halftime.
Saracens came out firing and within seven minutes of the restart the league's leading tryscorer May Campbell crossed for the bonus point at the back of a driving maul.
The game was far from over though as Bristol wing Jasmine Joyce showed lightning pace and ingenuity to create a line break out of nothing on halfway before finishing in the corner a few phases later.
But Zoe Harrison showed great hands as she and Gregson combined with a clever switch that put the latter through for her second try and give Saracens breathing space.
Cleall finished things off with a pick-and-go to secure a sixth consecutive bonuspoint victory.
