A 36-17 victory over Northampton Saints saw Saracens get back to winning ways at Allianz Park this afternoon. A commanding first half performance saw Saracens take a 29-3 lead at the break before Saints hit back in the second forty.

It was a breathless start to this hotly anticipated Gallagher Premiership encounter, with both sides attacking the game with gusto in the opening period, but it was Saracens who made their mark on the game; crossing for five tries within the opening forty whilst containing the Saints to a single penalty kick.

An early try for Sean Maitland gave the home side the lead after just five minutes of play before Saints got on the board with a three pointer inside the opening ten minutes.

Two further scores from the Men in Black extended their lead to 19-3 as the Saints struggled to contain their hosts. A fine show of pace allowed Nick Tompkins to escape Saints winger Tom Collins for the second score before Tompkins was involved again for Sarries’ third, combining with Max Malins to set up David Strettle who dotted down in the corner.

Bouncing back after a tough result at Gloucester last week, Saracens were nothing short of clinical as they dismantled the Northampton defence to secure a fourth try just before the half hour mark; a second score for Maitland notching up the bonus point and a 23 point lead for the home side.

With the clock ticking down, there was still time just enough time left in the half for Saracens to extend their lead further; this time it was the forwards at work as they drove Tom Woolstencroft over the line for the fifth score.

Back after the break Saracens were first to add to their first half tally courtesy of a penalty try, awarded when Saints scrum half Alex Mitchell was penalised for a no arms tackle on Ben Spencer with his opposite number metres from the try line.

Yet, as the half wore on Saracens saw the momentum which they had built so effectively in the first forty fall away, allowing Northampton to claim their first try of the afternoon courtesy of replacement hooker Reece Marshall just before the hour mark. The Saints followed up with a second score soon after; Lewis Ludlam diving over before Rory Hutchinson’s conversion cut the deficit to 19 points with just over ten minutes left to play.

Despite a high scoring first half there were to be no further efforts from either side as the game wound down and Saracens closed out a 36-17 victory.