Aviva Premiership: Leicester move to fourth after beating Saracens
Last Updated: 20/03/16 6:57pm
Freddie Burns starred at Welford Road as the Tigers kept up their play-off ambitions with a 21-13 win over Saracens.
Burns scored a try, a conversion, two penalties and a drop goal as Saracens failed to reclaim top spot in the Aviva Premiership after Exeter beat Saints earlier on Sunday.
Burns' 16-point haul also ensured Leicester moved back into the play-off places on an emotional afternoon at Welford Road. The match kicked off after the crowd had risen to pay tribute to former Tiger Seru Rabeni, who passed away this week at the age of 37.
The Tigers showed attacking intent from the very start of the match, running back a kick in the second minute. Second rower Graham Kitchener appeared to have put prop Logovi'i Mulipola into space but play was called back for a forward pass.
Saracens earned a scoring opportunity after Leicester were penalised at the ruck, but Marcelo Bosch's long-range attempt drifted wide. The Tigers were then reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes after Mulipola was shown the yellow card for a swinging arm on Bosch.
Saracens capitalised at the very next scrum, forcing a penalty that Alex Goode slotted to open proceedings. The lead lasted less than two minutes though, as Burns hit back from the tee.
Following the exchange of penalties, the game sparked into life, though both sides saw promising attacks ruined by errors and turnovers.
Saracens were unable to clear their lines as the home side continued to mount attacks close to the try line. Tigers scrum-half Jono Kitto was inches short when hauled down by Kelly Brown, but the Tigers were awarded a penalty from which Burns made it 6-3 to Leicester, which is how things remained until the break.
The second half started as the first had, with an early yellow card. This time it was Saracens who were reduced to 14 men as fly-half Nils Mordt was punished for pulling back Peter Betham when Leicester were hot on attack.
The home side made the numerical superiority count as Burns danced his way over for the opening try of the match in the 46th minute. Burns then added the extras to his own effort from in front.
A second try followed soon after as Owen Williams made the most of a loose ball by breaking down the left touchline and finding Sam Harrison in support. Harrison passed to Vereniki Goneva who raced over for the score.
Saracens responded with their best spell of pressure, and camped on the Leicester line before Goode barreled his way over from close range and converted.
Two minutes later Goode closed the gap further with a penalty after the Tigers infringed at a lineout, to make it 18-13 to Leicester with 10 minutes remaining. But hopes of a comeback were snuffed out as Burns added a drop goal to his personal haul for the afternoon as Saracens ended the weekend in second spot.
