Saracens: (18) 30 Tries: Vyvyan, Kydd, Jackson, Raulini Cons: Kydd, Jackson Pens: Kydd 2 Bath: (23) 37 Tries: Welsh (2), Higgins, Tindall Cons: Barkley, Malone 3 Pens: Malone 2 Drops: Malone 1

South African wing Frikkie Welsh scored two tries on his Bath debut in a pulsating game played in front of just 3,595 due to an enforced venue change.

Bath looked set for an easy win after Mike Tindall followed scores from Welsh and Andrew Higgins with a fourth try.

But Saracens hit back with tries from Glen Jackson and Moses Rauluni to leave Bath hanging on in the closing minutes.

Saracens were forced to play the game at Northampton after Bath had refused to play without their England squad players on the normal Sunday date.

The 'home' side went behind after eight minutes when Welsh collected a pass from Olly Barkley, handed off Richard Haughton and beat full-back Robbie Kydd on a powerful run to the posts.

But poor concentration at a line-out let Saracens in for an opportunist try from skipper Hugh Vyvyan and Kydd latched on to a cross-kick from Mark Bartholomeusz to score again, converting his try.

Chris Malone and Kydd swapped penalties before Bartholomeusz threw a rash pass which was hacked on by wing Higgins for Bath's second try, converted by Malone.

Kydd put Saracens back in front with a 35-metre penalty, but Malone dropped a goal and then kicked a long-range penalty to ensure Bath went in at half-time leading 23-18.

Welsh grabbed his second try after a rampaging run by Zak Feaunati, and Tindall ensured Bath claimed the bonus point when he went in under the posts on the hour.

Malone converted both tries and Bath were seemingly out of sight.

Saracens then replaced Bartholomeusz with New Zealand newcomer Jackson and his running sparked the hosts' revival, first with a try from the fly-half himself and then from impressive half-back partner Rauluni.

Jackson converted the final try but Bath just held on to climb into fifth place in the table.

Saracens: Kydd, Haughton, Johnston, Harris, Vikona, Bartholomeusz, Yates, Cairns, Broster, Chesney, Raulini, Randell, Seymour, Vyvyan.
Replacements: Ibanez, Lloyd, B. Russell, Skirving, Williams, Jackson, Bailey.

Bath: Barkley, Higgins, Crockett, Tindall, Welsh, Malone, Wood, Barnes, Humphreys, Bell, Borthwick, Grewcock, Beattie, Lipman, Fea'unati.
Replacements: Mears, Loader., Scaysbrook, Fidler, Daniel, Walshe, Davey.

Referee: Sean Davey (West Sussex).