May Campbell scored three tries as she helped Saracens back to the top of the Premiership Women’s Rugby table courtesy of a 43-26 win at Harlequins.
Saracens are level on 55 points with Gloucester-Hartpury, who beat Exeter Chiefs on Friday, but lead thanks to their superior points difference.
Campbell went over early on to put her side in front against Harlequins, who responded with a Jade Konkel try.
The home side were without England’s Ellie Kildunne as she – similarly to Loughborough Lightning’s Sadia Kabeya – has been unable to return to the UK becuase of the travel disruption caused by the conflict in the Middle East.
The two teams traded tries through Sophie Bridger for Saracens and Aoife Wafer for Harlequins before the visitors pulled away.
Olivia Apps scored with a clever finish for Saracens and team-mate Jess Breach produced a surging run to touch down and give her side a bonus-point try just before half-time.
Two Campbell tries after the break helped Saracens into a 40-12 lead and, despite Lagi Tuima and Ella Cromack crossing for Harlequins, a Zoe Harrison penalty rounded off the win for the visitors.
Elsewhere, Bristol Bears scored 10 tries as they thrashed bottom-of-the-table Leicester Tigers 68-0.
Demelza Short went over twice, while Ella Lovibond, Charlie Woodman, Elliann Clarke, Jenny Herring, Delaney Burns, Jenny Hesketh, Evie Gallagher and Keira Bevan also contributed tries.
Sale Sharks came back from 14-0 down to narrowly beat Lougborough Lightning 31-29.
A Katie Childs try helped Sale level at 24-24 before team-mate Gwenllian Pyrs touched down as the home side took a 31-24 lead.
A late Bulou Mataitoga try reduced Loughborough’s deficit to two points but Sale held on.
