Foden was involved straight away, catching Jackson's kickoff.  The first scrum was almost immediate, and looked strong from the Saints' point of view.  Saracens broke through the middle through Alex Goode, and Paul Diggin had to make a try-saving tackle on Cato just yards from the line.  The Saints were penalised for offside, however, and Jackson had an easy kick in front of the posts which he duly scored. 

The Saints were soon on the back foot once more, but Foden fielded a grubber kick and Myler cleared to touch.  Somehow Tiny came up with the ball after the lineout, and the Saints tried to launch an attack through Reihana, but he was penalised and Jackson stepped up to double the visitors' lead. 

Things were not looking great for the Saints as they knocked on from the restart, giving Saracens a scrum.  They attacked down the wing, and once again Cato couldn't get past Diggin who seemed to be magnetically attracted to the other man's ankles. 

 Eventually the Saints made their way into the Saracens 22, where Jackson attempted to run instead of kick following a Saracens scrum.  The Amazing Wilson soon caught and flattened him, though the ball was launched upfield into the arms of Ben Foden.  Bruce, Easter and Best were all involved in moving the ball forward once more, until the Saints were eventually awarded a penalty.  Myler reduced the deficit to three points, and after 15 minutes the score was 6-3 to the visitors.

The Saints soon conceded another kickable penalty which Jackson successfully converted, and the frustration of the players and fans began to grow as referee Greg Garner seemed to be a little out of his depth.

The Saints gathered themselves and attacked once more, but Saracens were

 Saracens had the better of the next few minutes as their backs got into the game, displaying some excellent quick hands and feet.  Goode and Cato combined well, and indeed almost crossed the line twice.  Once they were denied by another last-ditch tackle, and once when the referee penalised them for crossing.

The game changed as fans began making their way to the pasty van.  Myler decided to run instead of kick from inside his own 22, a move that seemed to take Saracens by surprise.  He broke through a couple of tackles and offloaded the ball to Foden who spread the play towards the Church's Stand where it was taken on by Easter and Wilson.  Foden popped up again to feed Bruce Reihana who dived over in the corner to score.  Myler was unsuccessful with the convertion, but at half time the gap had been narrowed to 9-8 in favour of Saracens.

The second half started much better than the first, with a Justin Marshall box-kick going out on the full giving the Saints a lineout just outside the Saracens 22.  Myler and Downey attacked through the middle, and the Saints were awarded a penalty after Saracens failed to roll away.  Myler added the three points, putting the home side ahead for the first time in the game 11-9.

Going ahead seemed to give the Saints a massive boost, and all fifteen players stepped up a gear.  The first to experience this was Andy Farrell who was on the receiving end of a rather impressive Neil Best tackle.  The resulting penalty was just short of halfway, but Myler stepped up to attempt a kick at goal.  His effort drifted just wide, however.

Saracens attempted to make ground in the middle of the pitch, but the Saints defence held firm - a distinct improvement from the first half.  The ball was recycled through many phases until eventually Tiny came up with the ball and Diggin was able to break down the wing.  The Saints attack once more, creeping closer and closer to the Saracens line but are denied a try when punished for accidental offside.  Saracens cleared the ball from the scrum and the Saints launched another attack from the lineout but the ball was lost.

The next passage of play was distinctly scrappy, with neither side making much in the way of progress.  The Saints worked their way into the Saracens 22 once more, and once again get close to crossing the line, but the referee blew for a Saints penalty in front of the posts rather than letting play continue.  Myler added the three points, putting the Saints 5 points ahead, 14-9.

Glen Jackson closed the gap once more just a few minutes later, taking the score to 14-12 with just over ten minutes to play.  The tiredness of both sets of players was evident, as the game began to slow down significantly.  The Saints had learned from their experiences in the first half and began to play Saracens at their own game, frustrating them into conceding penalties.  An offside decision gave Myler the opportunity for another long-range effort - a successful one this time, restoring the home side's five-point cushion. 

Although the players may have been tiring, Bruce Reihana ran from his own 22 after fielding an Alex Goode kick.  The Saints' captain dummied to kick, but kept the ball in hand and dodged into the Saracens half.  The Saints were awarded a penalty at the breakdown, a little closer to the posts this time.  Myler was again successful and the Saints had a relatively comfortable eight point lead, 20-12, with just over five minutes to play.

The remainder of the game saw the Saints attempt to run down the clock, frustrating Saracens as they tried to attack for a final time.  Eventually, realising that time was not on their side, Glen Jackson dropped a goal to ensure his side went home with a losing bonus point.  Myler kicked the restart straight out, and referee Garner blew for half time.

The Amazing Wilson was crowned man of the match, but thankfully this week

there were many more contenders than last time out!  Tiny continues to impress, and Paul Diggin's defence was outstanding.  Myler controlled the game with aplomb, Reihana looked as fresh as ever, and Brett Sharman looked completely at home in the Premiership. 

While this game was far from a classic, it perhaps gives a clear indication that the Saints have improved significantly this season.  Despite being behind for 40 minutes the team kept their heads and patiently worked their way back into the game.  In the past we've seen heads drop and discipline go out of the window, but this seemed like a completely different approach.

Saracens were victims of their own indiscipline (and the referee), they have massive potential and it seems that when they click they'll be very difficult to stop.  Goode, Cato and Powell all caused problems for the Saints, and in Glen Jackson they have a very reliable boot. 

Now, Wasps next week - can we somehow convince the team we're playing them at home?!

Photos - Claire Jones - Redhat