Saracens moved up to sixth in the Guinness Premiership after a routine 37-13 win over bottom side Bristol at Vicarage Road this afternoon.

The Men in Black had a blistering start to the match with tries from Brad Barritt and Matias Aguero putting them in control. They added the third through Ben Skirving early on in the second half and skipper Steve Borthwick scored his first Saracens try late on to seal a bonus-point win.

Barritt was handed his full debut at centre for Sarries in place of the injured Andy Farrell. Noah Cato returned to the wing with Kameli Ratuvou unfit. Borthwick was recalled to captain the side after being rested for last week’s defeat at Gloucester. Chris Wyles started his first match in almost three months at full back with Alex Goode given a well deserved break. Ben Skirving reverted to number eight with Michael Owen’s knee injury keeping him out. Andy Saull was brought back into the side at openside.

The Men in Black only took ten minutes to score their first try with Aguero collecting Glen Jackson’s pass and barging through Matt Salter and Darren Crompton to reach the line. Jackson added the conversion for Saracens.

Saracens added their second try five minutes later after a stunning break by Andy Saull. The flanker showed his raw pace as he burst clear from the halfway line and set up Barritt for an easy finish between the posts. Fly half Jackson kicked over another two points for the home side as they eased into an early lead over the strugglers.

But Bristol refused to cave in and responded immediately with a try of their own. A fine passing move resulted in Scott Linklater bundling over in the right corner and Ed Barnes’ conversion made it 14-7 to the hosts.

The home side extended their lead with Jackson kicking over their first penalty of the match ten minutes from the break. Within minutes, they added another three points from the boot of Jackson following another Bristol infringement. Saracens scored their third penalty of the match through Jackson to take a 23-7 lead into the break.

The Men in Black conceded their first penalty of the match seven minutes into the second half. Barnes comfortably placed his kick between the posts to give the visitors hope of a revival.

But Saracens extended their lead and closed in on a bonus point when they scored their third try in the 50th minute. Skirving picked up the ball from a lineout just short of the tryline and forced his way over. Jackson’s conversion made it 30-10. The away side replied with Barnes sending over another penalty.

Sarries continued to dominate possession as they tried to get the bonus point victory. Bristol were defending resolutely and it was proving to be a frustrating period for the hosts.

Bristol were reduced to 14 men six minutes from time when David Blaney was given a yellow card for stopping a Sarries attack. And the hosts took full advantage as Borthwick sealed a bonus point success as he went over in the corner five minutes from time. Replacement Gordon Ross superbly kicked over the conversion to round off a decent day’s work for Saracens.

Saracens: Wyles, Haughton (Penney, 69), Sorrell, Barritt, Cato, Jackson (Ross, 74), De Kock (Rauluni, 58); Aguero (Lloyd, 60), Ongaro (Kyriacou, 55), Johnston (Visagie, 67), Borthwick, Jack (Vyvyan, 67), Van Heerden, Saull, Skirving

Bristol: Lilo, Turner, Brew, Barnes, N Brew (Robinson, 60), Jarvis, Perry; Irish, Linklater (Blaney, 21), Crompton, Budgett (Winters, 62), Sidoli, Salter, To’oala, Ward-Smith

Scoring: 5-0, 7-0, 12-0, 14-0, 14-5, 14-7, 17-7, 20-7, 23-7 HT 23-10, 28-10, 30-10, 30-13, 35-13, 37-13

Referee: Martin Fox