Saracens strike back

Kameli Ratuvou marked his return from international duty with a try as Saracens overcame Worcester 23-6 at Vicarage Road on Sunday.

The flying Fijian went over along with Glen Jackson and Brad Barritt as the hosts outscored Mike Ruddock's resurgent team by three tries to nil.

Chris Pennell had dragged the visitors back into the game with two penalties as Jackson struggled with the boot.

But a sin-binning for Sam Tuitupou ended any hopes of a comeback as Eddie Jones' team recorded their first win in three games.

And Barritt's first try for the club ensured the visitors would not be making it three wins on the spin.

Slip

New Zealander Jackson slotted Saracens into a 3-0 lead seven minutes in after the visitors had been caught offside and minutes later they had their first try.

Full-back Alex Goode it was who countered after collecting Pennell's long clearance and he drove through the Worcester defence before finding returning Pacific Islander Ratuvou to cross the line.

Leading Premiership points-scorer Jackson failed with his conversion attempt, but Worcester and, in particular Dale Rasmussen, failed to capitalise as he lost his footing at the vital moment just short of the Saracens line.

Pennell did reduce the advantage with a penalty on 21 minutes, and Ruddock's men started to show the form that had taken them to back-to-back victories against Sale and Newcastle.

But Tuitupou's yellow card for a late tackle on Goode five minutes before the interval swung the momentum back to the home side.

And when Jackson collected Andy Farrell's pass to cross in the corner, Worcester's revival was crushed.

The Kiwi, who had an off day with the boot, kicked a penalty two minutes into the second half and Pennell failed to reduce the deficit with his wide 58th minute penalty attempt.

South African signing Barritt then sealed the points with his 73rd minute score as Saracens ended their losing run.