Saracens 39-31 Bristol: Owen Farrell forgets kicking boots by missing a personal record of six, but Mark McCall’s hosts defied the England captain’s inaccuracy to go second

• Owen Farrell missed a personal record six kicks – five conversions and a penalty
• Mark McCall’s Sarries defied the England captain’s inaccuracy to move second
• Bristol’s Pat Lam said his side were penalised for turning over too much ball 

Mark McCall excused Owen Farrell a rare kicking disaster as Sarries defied their captain’s inaccuracy to go second.

The England captain created his own personal record of missing six kicks – five conversions and a penalty – for the first time in his Premiership career at StoneX Stadium.

Jamie George was on hand to help. The hooker grabbed a brace of tries as Sarries were pushed hard to overcome the Bears and make it five wins on the bounce.

And Farrell was outstanding in every other area. He also crossed for a fine opening try.

On another day, missing 13 points could have been harder to accept. But director of rugby McCall said: ‘It was one of those days and I doubt we will see that again from Owen. But he was also at the heart of the turnaround when we became much more on it as a team, much more physical and energetic. We weren’t perfect but if you can turn things around like that it’s a good sign.’

England’s Owen Farrell missed six kicks in one game for the first time in his Premiership career

Mark McCall excused Farrell’s rare kicking disaster as their Saracens’ side won 39-31 at home

Bristol threatened an upset as they built a first-half 21-15 lead after trailing to early tries from Farrell and Alex Lewington.

Bears lock Joe Batley showed real determination to diving and reaching out a long arm for his side’s first try. And after Billy Vunipola charged over in a corner for Sarries, Bears responded with Ellis Genge and Gabriel Oghre securing tries.

In the second half, Farrell’s crossfield kick gave Lewington the chance to complete his brace, only for Callum Sheedy to kick the visitors back in front.

Sarries stretched to a 10-point lead with tries by George and then Tom Willis, before replacement Kieran Marmion broke through for Bristol.

With Bears losing Fitz Harding to the sin bin, George mauled his way over for his second and his side’s seventh try.

Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam said: ‘We’ve lost the last five but we’ve had so many opportunities to win those games and they could have gone the other way. We turned over too much ball and got penalised for it.’

Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam said they were penalised for turning over too much ball

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