By Connor Johnson at the StoneX Stadium
Leicester traveled to Saracens, sitting top of Pool B and hoping to extend their lead over those below them, and wanting to restore their cushion over Northampton after their win against Harlequins last night.
It would be the hosts who started better as Alex Lozowski went over inside 10 minutes after a neat build-up between the backs. The fly half crossed over, and Louie Johnson would convert the extra two points to give Saracens a 7-0 lead.
That lead didn’t last long though, with Leicester replying almost instantly. Saracens gave away multiple penalties inside their own 22, with one of the visitors’ driving mauls causing havoc. Sarries were unable to deal with it, as Tommy Reffell was the beneficiary to put Leicester on level terms. Orlando Bailey slotted the ball through for the conversion.
Like Leicester’s try, it didn’t take long for Sarries to then retake the lead. Tayo Adegbemile held off multiple Tigers defenders to finish well in the corner, and Johnson would add the extras.
Rotimi Segun then linked up well with Olly Hartley, who bulldozed and repelled those who came in his way for Saracens’ third try after 21 minutes. Adegbemile then finished well down the left wing, with Johnson adding two more to the home side’s total and making it three for three from the tee so far.
Reffell would get his and Leicester’s second score just after the half-hour mark. Very similar to his first, coming from a driving maul after another lineout conceded by the Saracens, with them coming in from the side in the previous scrum, but they weren’t able to add the extras.
Half-Time: Saracens 21-12 Leicester Tigers
The visitors started the second half stronger, and their early dominance showed after more Saracens ill-discipline. Finn Theobald-Thomas, the scorer seven minutes after the break, cut the lead down to four, with the conversion hitting the post.
Leicester pinned the Saracens on their own goal line, and after multiple phases, Ollie Allan, who had only been on the pitch for six minutes, faked to pass and went on his own to give Leicester their first lead of the match.
The Tigers looked threatening again before Brandon Jackson intercepted a pass, and was off to the races putting a kick in behind for himself to chase, but Tom Whiteley tracked back and took out the Saracens winger to be put into the sin bin.
Saracens made use of their extra man advantage, Segun got his brace after an overload on their right. The ball was whipped out to him with acres in front of him, but no one could catch him, and he would restore the Saracens’ lead.
But soon, Saracens would be down to 13, after two yellow cards in quick succession. Tietie Tuimauga and Nick Isiekwe would be sent off for 10 minutes, both for similar offences, with Saracens pinned back again.
Leicester would retake the lead four minutes out from time, Josh Manz, at the back of a motoring maul, following the theme of the Tigers’ tries today, and Orlando Bailey putting it to bed, making it a five-point game with a little over two minutes to go.
Full Time: Saracens 26-31 Leicester Tigers
Saracens: 26
Starting XV: 1. Phil Brantingam 2. James Hadfield 3. Harvey Beaton 4. Nick Isiekwe 5. Hugh Tizard 6. Tayo Adegbemile 7. Andy Onyeama-Christie 8. Nathan Michelow 9. Gareth Simpson 10. Louie Johnson 11. Rotimi Segun 12.Olly Hartley 13. Nick Tompkins 14. Brandon Jackson 15. Alex Lozowski
Replacements: 16. Eoghan Clarke 17. Alex O’Driscoll 18. Tietie Tuimanga 19. Charlie West 20. Reggie Hammick 21. Ivan van Zyl 22. Fergus Clarke 23. Seva Kava
Leicester Tigers: 31
Starting XV: 1. Tareq Haffar 2. Finn Theobald-Thomas 3. Will Hurd 4. Harry Wells 5. Tom Manz 6. Harry Palmer 7. Tommy Reffell 8. Joaquin Moro 9. Charlie Bemand 10. Tom Whiteley 11. Ollie Hassell-Collins 12. Orlando Bailey 13. Joe Woodward 14. Ryan Crowley 15. Tom Threlfall
Replacements: 16. Charlie Clare 17. Archie van der Flier 18. Ale Loman 19. Osian Thomas 20. Josh Manz 21. Ollie Allan 22. Wilf McCarthy 23. Charlie Myall
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