Saracens boosted their hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the LV= Cup after an emphatic 28-5 win at Leeds Carnegie this evening.

The Men in Black scored eight tries in Italy last weekend and they carried that form into this match securing a bonus point shortly after half time. Efforts from Ernst Joubert, Schalk Brits and Adam Powell put them in control before Justin Marshall sealed maximum points against the Guinness Premiership’s bottom side.

Brendan Venter gave Namibia flanker Jacques Burger his debut in a strong side. Kas Lealamanua, Richard Skuse and Brits formed a new front row and Wikus van Heerden was recalled to the side after missing the last two matches.

The visitors opened the scoring midway through the half when Wikus van Heerden combined with Joubert whose pace took him away from the defence to place the ball under the posts. Derick Hougard was left with an unmissable conversion as the Men in Black established an early advantage.

Saracens' determination to go for the bonus point was evident as Hougaard went for a lineout in the corner rather than opting for the three points. Their decision paid off as Moses Rauluni set up Brits for their second try. Hougaard’s conversion fired the visitors into a 14-0 lead.

Sarries were in complete control and they added their third try towards the end of the half when Powell forced his way over the line. Hougaard booted over the conversion for the Men in Black.

The Men in Black wrapped up the bonus point inside the first ten minutes of the second half after an exceptional counterattack from inside their own 22. Rodd Penney and Michael Tagicakibau launched the attack and Chris Wyles’ pass found replacement scrum half Marshall who sped away to finish off a superb move. Glen Jackson, on for Hougaard, fired over the conversion to extend their healthy lead.

Leeds refused to give up and their efforts earned them a deserved consolation with virtually the last kick of the game with Peter Wackett crossing the line.

Leeds Carnegie: Goodridge, Wackett, Fa’afili, Paul, Armstrong, Ford, Bedford; Hardy, Titterrell, Bucknall, Denton, Murphy, Pendlebury, Rowan, Oakley

Saracens: Wyles (Short, 57), Haughton, Penney, Powell, Tagicakibau, Hougaard (Jackson, 47), Rauluni (Marshall, HT); Lealamanua (Aguero, HT), Brits (Reynecke, HT), Skuse (Nieto, HT), Vyvyan (Smith, 57), Botha, Van Heerden, Burger, Joubert (Melck, 54)

Scoring: 0-5, 0-7, 0-12, 0-14, 0-19, 0-21 HT 0-26, 0-28, 5-28

Referee: Rob Debney

Attendance: 1,781