Saracens underlined their title credentials after beating rivals London Wasps 22-6 at Vicarage Road in their eighth consecutive win in the Guinness Premiership.

Brendan Venter’s side extended their 100 per cent record in the competition and were comfortable winners over an unimpressive Wasps side. Schalk Brits’ early try separated the sides and 17 points, including two drop goals, from the boot of Derick Hougaard consolidated their position at the top of the table.

Scrum-half Kevin Barrett was given his first league start for the Men in Black after Neil de Kock suffered an ankle injury against South Africa. Alex Goode and Andy Saull returned to the team and dynamic hooker Brits also earned a recall.

The hosts started brightly and were handed an early opportunity to take the lead but Hougaard’s penalty kick cannoned off the post. But the South African fired Saracens in front when he carried on from his midweek winner at Wembley by kicking over the drop goal.

Sarries were pegged back within minutes when Dave Walder booted over a penalty after the home side were caught offside. But the Men in Black regained their advantage in the 13th minute with the first try of the game. Brits picked up the ball from a maul inside Wasps’ 22 and his blistering acceleration took him away from the startled defence and over the line. Hougaard added the conversion to give Saracens a 10-3 lead.

The visitors narrowed the deficit midway through the half when Walder added their second penalty from right in front of the posts. Pressure on the Wasps defence resulted in another penalty for Sarries and Hougaard had no trouble extending their lead.

Hougaard came very close to scoring his second drop goal just before half-time but his effort flew inches wide of the post. Saracens dominated territory before the break but they were unable to take advantage as Hougaard’s late penalty missed the target.

Wasps spurned an opportunity to close the gap in the second half when Walder’s penalty attempt drifted wide of the posts. The Men in Black were awarded another penalty but Hougaard’s effort fell well short. The former Leicester Tigers fly half fired another drop goal attempt almost immediately but again could not find the distance.

Sarries were given another penalty and the crowd jeered after the side opted to have another kick at goal rather than push for a second try. Their frustrations were compounded as Hougaard’s effort was way off target.

The Men in Black scored another three points after 59 minutes when replacement scrum-half Justin Marshall passed to Hougaard and his drop goal sailed over the posts. Adam Powell was given a good reception as the centre came on for his first appearance of the season in place of Brad Barritt.

Saracens kept the scoreboard ticking over and Hougaard made it 19-6 with another penalty which only increased their level of comfort over a disappointing Wasps side. With little more than ten minutes left another penalty conceded by Wasps enabled Hougaard to round off a surprisingly easy victory over the former champions.

Saracens: Goode, Cato (Penney, 51), Ratuvou, Barritt (Powell, 62), Tagicakibau, Hougaard, Barrett (Marshall, 51); Gill (Lealamanua, 73), Brits (Reynecke, 69), Nieto (Skuse, 51), Vyvyan, Ryder (Botha, 51), Van Heerden (Barrell, 70), Saull, Joubert

London Wasps: Van Gisbergen (Mitchell, 61), Sackey, Jacobs, Waldouck (Kefu, 71), Varndell, Walder, Simpson (Fury, 76); Bocca (Beech, 51), Ward (Webber, 51), Broster (Baker, 30), Skivington (Veale, 68), Birkett, Hart (Leo, 71), Betsen, Ward-Smith

Scoring: 3-0, 3-3, 8-3, 10-3, 10-6, 13-6 HT 16-6, 19-6, 22-6

Referee: Dean Richards

Attendance: 9,786