Saracens 35, London Welsh 14 (From Herald Series)

Saracens 35, London Welsh 14

5:01pm Sunday 3rd March 2013 in Sport By Ed Mezzetti, Sports reporter specialising in Rugby, Cricket and Athletics. Call me on 01865 425456

LONDON Welsh played with plenty of spirit, despite slipping to a heavy defeat at Saracens' new Allianz Park ground today.

Saracens scored four tries to go top of the Aviva Premiership table and thoroughly deserved victory, but the Exiles offered more than the scoreline suggested.

Welsh now face a far bigger challenge at Tuesday's RFU hearing into the fielding of an ineligible player, which could result in a hefty points deduction.

Saracens opened up with a penalty try and added further efforts through Joel Tomkins, Will Fraser and David Strettle, with Charlie Hodgson kicking 15 points.

Seb Stegmann scored Welsh's try in the first half, while Gavin Henson slotted two penalties and a drop goal.