Saints see off Sarries

Saracens saw their perfect record against domestic opponents came to an end as they suffered a 19-3 loss to Northampton at Franklin's Gardens.

Tries from Chris Ashton and Bruce Reihana helped Saints make it two wins from two in Pool Four of the Anglo-Welsh competition.

Stephen Myler kicked the rest of the home side's points while all the Guinness Premiership leaders offered in reply was a penalty from Alex Goode.

Fielding a second string XV, Sarries can have few complaints at slipping to their second loss of the campaign, the other coming at the hands of Toulon in Europe.

They had managed to take the lead after 20 minutes through Goode, who was starting in his favoured fly-half position rather than at full-back.

However Northampton replied to falling behind with a try from Ashton that owed much to the spectacular efforts of Ben Foden.

Sensational return

The full-back, overlooked by England so far in the autumn internationals, once again demsontrated his skills in attack with a sensational of a clearing punt.

Having gone clear of three defenders the former Sale Shark then cleverly sent in a kick to the corner that was finished off by Ashton.

Fly-half Myler failed to land the conversion but did make amends by slotting over a tough penalty kick in the closing seconds of the opening half following the sin-binning of Saracens prop Tom Mercey.

Northampton piled on the pressure after the interval in an attempt to make the most of their man advantage but had to settle for three more points from their number 10.

Once restored to their full compliment of players, Saracens did threaten to make a game of it only to concede a second try after 57 minutes.

Reihana finished and started the scoring move, the winger bulldozing over from close range to put his side into a healthy 16-3 lead.

Saints pushed hard for a third try, only some last-gasp defending denying them on a couple of occasions, before Myler rounded out the scoring with a penalty in the closing stages.