Saracens' season was dealt a severe blow as they succumbed to a 17-15 home defeat at the hands of Pontypridd in the Parker Pen Shield on Sunday.

The defeat was Saracens' second quarter-final loss in just two weeks - they were knocked out of the PowerGen Cup a week ago with a 30-28 defeat to Northampton - and they now have only the Zurich Premiership to concentrate on.

Saracens started well and tested Pontypridd's defence to the limits, but the visitors survived the early onslaught.

Home fly-half Jannie de Beer and Pontypridd full-back Brett Davey exchanged penalties, with De Beer then adding a second.

Pontypridd, however, scored the first try of the afternoon just before the break.

After centre Jon Bryant made progress upfield, number eight Michael Owen ended the move with the help of captain Paul John.

Davey easily converted to give the Welsh side a 10-6 lead at half-time.

Former Springbok De Beer turned the tables after the break, with three penalties putting Saracens back into the lead.

But again Pontypridd bounced back with a superb try by wing Gareth Wyatt.

From good line-out possession, Bryant charged over the gain line before fly-half Ceri Sweeney took the move on.

Wyatt came off his wing to burst through the midfield, fending off three Saracens defenders to dart through and score. Again Davey converted to give Pontypridd a 17-15 lead.

Saracens: T Horan; G Arasa, T Shanklin, K Sorrell, D O'Mahoney; J de Beer, K Bracken; D Flatman, R Russell, P du Randt; S Hooper, S Murray; K Chesney, R Hill, T Roques.
Reps: L Harbut, M Cairns, K Benazzi, K Roche, B Johnston, N Walshe, A Winnan.

Pontypridd: B Davey; G Wyatt, S Parker, J Bryant, N Simpson; C Sweeney, P John (capt); G Jenkins, M Davies, D Bell, B Cockbain, R Sidoli, N Kelly, R Parks, M Owen.
Reps: M Rees, S Cronk, D McIntosh, G Remnant, G Baber, J Lewis, R Johnston.

Referee: Alain Rolland (IRU).