Saracens take their biggest win over Exeter Chiefs with 35-3 drubbing; Gloucester seize last-minute victory over London Irish, pipping them 8-6; Bath lift themselves from the bottom of the table as they overcome Newcastle 24-16, captain Ben Spencer providing the decisive score
Last Updated: 31/12/22 6:00pm
Owen Farrell lines up a kick for Saracens in their victory over Exeter Chiefs
Owen Farrell starred for Saracens with a man-of-the-match performance in their biggest win over Exeter Chiefs on Saturday.
Saracens bounced back from their shock defeat to London Irish by crushing arch-rivals Exeter 35-3 at StoneX Stadium.The Gallagher Premiership’s biggest grudge match of recent times failed to provide its customary fireworks as the Chiefs were battered from start to finish in dreadful conditions. It was their biggest league defeat for over two years and Saracens’ biggest win in the fixture. Marco Riccioni was one of Saracens’ try-scorers (Photo: James Manning/PA Wire/PA Images) Driving rain and strong winds failed to dampen Saracens’ ambition as they completed an impressive bonus-point victory that propels them 10 points clear at the top of the table.Owen Farrell provided the highlight of the afternoon when his no-look, reverse, miss pass sent Alex Lewington over, but the England playmaker was outstanding throughout and finished as man-of-the-match.An under-strength Chiefs side was missing several key players and conceded 16 penalties in total with 11 awarded in the second half.In the 10th minute, Saracens went over, a short-range free-kick taken by Mako Vunipola fed to his younger brother Billy and then on to Andy Christie to touch down.A Joe Simmonds penalt …