Beaten Tigers stunned by Saracens' second-half comeback
Leicester Tigers 27 Saracens 32
Leicester Tigers hopes of a home semi-final in the Aviva Premiership took a huge hit after Saracens recorded a bonus-point win at Welford Road.
The result put the visitors five points clear of Leicester in second place, with Harlequins a further point ahead at the top of the table.
Tigers will have to hope that the top two sides slip up over the remaining six league games if they are to close that gap.
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The hosts had powered their way into a 17-6 half-time lead after dominating the opening 40 minutes and scoring one of the tries of the season.
Julian Salvi was first to cross the line on 28 minutes and just three minutes later, it was 17-3 when George Ford started a move in his own 22 and, after good runs by Geordan Murphy and Adam Thompstone, Ford's delicate chip over the defence allowed Dan Bowden to dive on the ball for a memorable score.
But that was as good as it got for Leicester as Sarries fought back in style after the break with four tries in 23 minutes.
Dave Strettle got the ball rolling on 51 minutes before James Short put the visitors ahead for the first time four minutes later.
The home crowd was stunned when Strettle added his second and when Chris Wyles dotted down for Saracens bonus-point fourth try, Sarries led 32-20 with just six minutes left.
Tigers battered the visitors' line in the closing stages and earned a losing bonus point when referee JP Doyle gave them a penalty try after Strettle had stopped a three-man overlap with a deliberate knock on.
Strettle was yellow-carded and Saracens ended the game with 13 men following substitute Duncan Taylor's binning seconds earlier.
Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill said: "It was disappointing after being in a good position at half-time but fair play to Saracens. We have to dust ourselves off and get ready for Sale next week."
4 Comments
by Oadbylad
Sunday, February 24 2013, 3:29PM
“We where abysmal
Lack of unison through out the team...
Why bring on subs with 4 mins to go ?...this seems to be one of cockeral's traits ...players wont even get warm in 4 mins
I did find Barnes's comments on Ford interesting...if hes right and Ford was offered big money to stay and he choose not to....why?
Its not down to game time...just how much more does he think hes going to get at Baff with Donald there...well for me less... Donald's not going to be away is he
As any body else read Mad Dog?
Lewis was none to impressed with O'Conner
Maybe time for a change”
by Patrick4939
Sunday, February 24 2013, 2:00PM
“Harlequins and Saracens during 6 nations time ? coincidence ?”
by spalding1944
Sunday, February 24 2013, 10:31AM
“Must be the only team game in the world where you lose most of your player for international matches and still have to play.”
by wigono
Sunday, February 24 2013, 12:36AM
“i think the word i'm looking for is complacent. =why not kill off the opponents? half time chat was probably "you don't need to change, your doing well, ease off the gas we have got this won" what was plan b.... embarrassing to be a tigers fan. i'm glad i had to work & not pay for that
Pathetic, readable,dross. forwards v backs & not working as a team. guaranteed no silverware this year”