SLAITHWAITE Saracens bounced back from their Yorkshire Cup disappointment to beat Pennine League Second Division leaders Dearne Valley Bulldogs 38-17 in South Yorkshire.

The Huddersfield side were still smarting from their 22-14 county cup defeat at Hunslet Old Boys the week before, but with several first-team players unavailable due to injury and work commitments the Saracens faced another tough test.

Fortunately, however, the visitors rose to the occasion to record an excellent victory and make it two League wins out of two.

Within four minutes normal Slaithwaite service had been resumed as Richard Flooks collected a pass on halfway and raced away before jinking his way over in the corner.

And five minutes later acting full-back Mick Bostock scored a carbon-copy of the opening effort from Flooks, who added the conversion.

Bulldogs then opened their account, but by half-time, Darren Hawkyard, Flooks and Simon Burkinshaw crossed for further tries to make it 26-10 at the break.

A try, conversion and drop goal at the start of the second half brought the Bulldogs within striking distance of their visitors.

But with 10 minutes remaining, Slaithwaite made the game safe when Hawkyard crossed for his second and Bostock followed suit five minutes later, with Flooks converting, to seal a superb Saracens success.