English Premiership leaders Saracens made it 10 wins from 11 games with a 26-8 success at bottom club Worcester on Saturday that nudged their opponents closer to relegation.
Wing David Strettle, hooker Schalk Brits, full-back Alex Goode and fly-half Charlie Hodgson each claimed a try, with Hodgson adding three conversions at Sixways Stadium.
Worcester scored first through an Ignacio Mieres penalty and saw Leonardo Senatore cross for a 37th-minute try, but they could make no inroads on the visitors' lead in a scoreless second period.
The defeat left Worcester nine points adrift at the foot of the table.
Northampton remain Saracens' closest rivals, three points back in second pace, after running in six tries in a 43-25 success at home to third-place Bath that reasserted their title credentials.
George Pisi, Jamie Elliott, Samu Manoa and George North added to a brace of tries by lock Christian Day, with Stephen Myler adding 13 points with the boot.
Bath had been chasing a 12th consecutive victory in all competitions, but they left Franklin's Gardens without even the consolation of a losing bonus point and now trail Saints by nine points.
Harlequins, champions in 2012, tightened their grip on fourth place with a 22-6 success at home to Exeter, while Leicester survived a stirring second-half comeback from Sale in a 30-23 win at Welford Road.
