Royston's bullish pack got on top from the off – pick and goes and driving mauls were making multiple yards and had Sarries’ defence permanently back-peddling.

From one driving maul in the first few minutes Elbourn and Pow managed to contrive to drop the ball between them on the try line costing Royston a useful 5 pointer. Saracens didn't heed the warning though and a few minutes later Elbourn was driven over the line from a similar position which Dacey converted.

There then followed a moment of controversy. Sarries kicked deep into Royston territory. Whittingham set up a ruck and took a horrendous boot to the face. The referee missed it but due to the distractions of the injury and play being allowed to continue space opened up for Pow to spot a hole and race half the length of the pitch to score, with Dacey again converting

Royston had to reshuffle due to Whittingham's injury. With Pow moving to hooker, Smith off his wing to scrum half and Muirhead dropping off the back row to centre, Royston's defence patterns were disrupted and Saracens capitalised with a poacher’s effort of their own

Once settled Royston again attacked hard through the pack building phases until Saracens ran out of defenders for fly half Cotterill to see space on the blind side and stroll through unopposed to score in the corner.

Half time 19-5

The second half started with Royston chasing the bonus point. Royston looked to the power of the pack and after sustained pressure Joe Butcher crashed over under the posts for Dacey to convert.

The game then became fractious and a lot of unnecessary foul play occurred. Royston replaced Connelly with John Brain just after Saracens had scored and Elbourn with Jamie Green to try to calm the side down and ensure the team discipline remained high and the penalty count low. With the game already won, with 5 minutes to go some superb slick hands from Ritsema and Cotterill got full back Dacey away to race around the Saracens defenders to score the try of the day and end the Saracens resistance.