Report: Saracens 20-19 Bristol Bears

The Bears led by nine points heading into the final ten minutes after tries from Harry Thacker and Gabriel Ibitoye either side of half time, and two penalties from the boot of James Williams had put the visitors into a strong position. 

But replacement Rotimi Segun's score three minutes from time and Hougaard's 81st-minute effort sealed victory for the league leaders, leaving the Bears with just a losing bonus point to their name.

In a dominant first half, Semi Radradra saw his sensational solo try ruled out for a knock-on in the build-up, before AJ MacGinty's penalty and Harry Thacker's try, from a well-worked driving lineout, gave the Bears an 0-8 lead at the interval.

Quick hands 🔥 Sharp finish ⚡@BristolBears extend their lead against Saracens through Gabriel Ibitoye 🐻

Never miss a moment on #PRTV 💻#GallagherPrem | #SARvBRI pic.twitter.com/bGYmUUupr6

— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) January 28, 2023

James Williams took over the second-half kicking duties and landed two long-range efforts, either side of Alex Goode's three-pointer getting Saracens on the board.

Gabriel Ibitoye scorched over in the corner to open up a nine-point lead with just eight minutes remaining, but after Segun had forced his way over out wide, Hougaard touched down in the opposite corner to break Bristol hearts.

Saracens: Alex Goode, Rotimi Segun, Alex Lozowski, Duncan Taylor, Alex Lewington, Manu Vunipola, Aled Davies, Robin Hislop, Theo Dan, Christian Judge, Andrew Kitchener, Hugh Tizard, Andy Christie, Jackson Wray (C), Billy Vunipola

Replacement: Kapeli Pifeleti, Eroni Mawi, Alec Clarey, Cameron Boon, Tom Ellis, Ivan van Zyl, Nick Tompkins, Francois Hougaard

Bristol Bears: Rich Lane, Siva Naulago, Semi Radradra, James Williams, Gabriel Ibitoye, AJ MacGinty, Harry Randall, Yann Thomas, Harry Thacker, Max Lahiff, Joe Batley, Chris Vui, Steve Luatua (c), Jake Heenan, Magnus Bradbury

Replacements: Bryan Byrne, Jake Woolmore, Jonathan Benz-Salomon, Ed Holmes, Fitz Harding, Andy Uren, Callum Sheedy, Jack Bates.

Saracens: Tries: Dan 59, Segun 77, Hougaard 80. Cons: Goode 59. Pens: Goode 51

Bristol Bears: Tries: Thacker 37, Ibitoye 72. Pens: MacGinty 11, Williams 48, 55