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Goode shines as Saracens sink Bath

London (AFP) - Saracens closed to within four points of second-placed Bath in the English Premiership standings with an impressive 34-24 home victory over their rivals at Allianz Park on Sunday.

A Chris Wyles try and penalties from Charlie Hodgson and Alex Goode put Saracens 11-3 up at the break and they ran away with the game in the second half, with Jamie George and Chris Ashton going over while Goode kicked a further 13 points.

Bath, who trail leaders Northampton by five points, replied through two tries from Semesa Rokoduguni and one from Olly Woodburn, with new signing Tom Homer adding nine points with the boot.

Goode played a key role in the tries by Wyles and Ashton and successfully filled in for kicker Hodgson after the former England number 10 suffered a hamstring injury early in the game.

"I thought he was phenomenal," Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall said of Goode, who was cut from England's Six Nations squad in mid-week.

"Not just in attack, but he must have made two or three last-ditch tackles on their wingers. He was outstanding today."

Bath head coach Mike Ford said that his side were never in contention after making a sloppy start to the second period.

"The start of the second half was terrible for us," said Ford. "We dropped the kick-off and conceded a penalty.

"They got three points. They kicked off again and we conceded another penalty that led to their second try. It was just an uphill battle then."

Wasps remain on Saracens' tail in fourth place after a 37-6 victory at home to Harlequins.

The hosts scored four tries through Tom Varndell, Elliot Daly and two penalty tries, with Andy Goode converting three tries and kicking three penalties. Alex Lozowski added the final conversion.

Nick Evans replied with two penalties for Quins, who now trail their opponents by seven points in the battle for the final play-off place.

"Some young players are learning some harsh lessons at present and our confidence is brittle at the moment," said Quins director of rugby Conor O'Shea.

"It's a tough, unforgiving league, but we will keep fighting. Next week's game against Exeter is a must win for us."

In the day's other game, Sale ran out comfortable 52-12 winners at Championship-bound bottom club London Welsh.