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

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 Premiership to concentrate on.

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

Saracens' fly-half Jannie de Beer and Pontypridd's 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 ending the move with the help of captain Paul John. Davey easily converted to give the Welsh side a 10-6 lead at half-time.

Ex-South Africa international de Beer came back out for Saracens after the break and turned the score around with three penalties.

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

The Welsh side secured possession with a line-up after Davey found touch.

Bryant then charged through the gain line with fly-half Ceri Sweeney taking the move on. Wyatt was left to dart through and fend off three Saracens' defenders to score. Again Davey converted to give Pontypridd a 17-15 lead.

That proved to be the last score of the afternoon, although the game did not lack excitement.

Saracens kept battling on and were finally rewarded for their efforts with a 83rd-minute penalty after replacement Glen Remnant went over the top in a ruck.

De Beer, who had already converted five penalties, surprisingly hit the post with his kick however to hand Pontypridd victory by the narrowest of margins.