Sarries boss Brendan Venter was pleased with his side's clinical win © Getty Images

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Matches: Leeds Tykes 14 - 26 Saracens

Tournaments/Tours: Aviva Premiership

Teams: Leeds Tykes | Saracens

Saracens director of rugby Brendan Venter praised his side's professionalism after they defeated Leeds 26-14 at Headingley.

The former Springbok set aside special praise for fly-half Derick Hougaard and hooker Schalk Brits, who scored his third try in three games so far this season to help Sarries close out the match.

"Leeds are a tough team and play courageously but we ran out convincing winners today," he said."Derick played very well today and so did Schalk.

"He's fearless and mixes it up beautifully. He's playing very well for us. But Leeds played a lot of rugby and put us on the back foot, so we're pleased to get the win. I think the fact that it started raining during the game made it more difficult and that's why I'm so proud of the team.

"Everything seemed to suit Leeds and we knew it was going to be a difficult day. But we were mainly the better side today and that's largely because of the progress we have made in the scrum. We won because of out set-piece because it was superb today."

Leeds boss Andy Key admitted that his side are some way from putting in an 80-minute performance. They showed plenty of grit in the second half but nevertheless fell to their third straight defeat, leaving them rooted to the bottom of the table.

"We realised that it wouldn't get any easier this season," he said. "Some sides may have taken us a little easier last year but we have earned the respect of the other teams and it will be more difficult.

"However, if you want to be a big boy in the Premiership then you've got to perform for the whole 80 minutes. At the moment we are not quite understanding that puzzle."