Saracens come from behind to defeat Leicester Tigers in Aviva Premiership
Last Updated: 11/04/15 6:42pm
Saracens reclaimed second place in the Aviva Premiership after a powerful 22-6 win over play-off rivals Leicester Tigers at Allianz Park.
Tries either side of half-time by Billy Vunipola, Marcelo Bosch and Chris Wyles left Leicester in disarray after they led 6-0 through two Freddie Burns penalties.
Charlie Hodgson kicked two conversions and added a 62nd-minute penalty as Leicester fell away in the second period, with Sarries scoring 15 unanswered points to ease home.
It was the Tigers that made a more impressive start in north London, moving six points ahead after 11 minutes through two Burns penalties which rewarded some composed and efficient phase-play.
Saracens appeared sluggish in comparison, creating little in attack and being out-thought tactically by Burns and his half-back partner Ben Youngs behind a Leicester pack that showed set-piece diligence.
Bosch drifted a long-range penalty attempt well wide midway through the first-half, while full-back Alex Goode hit the post with a penalty inside Leicester's 22 into a strong wind.
Advantage
Leicester lost hooker Tom Youngs to the sin-bin after referee Matt Carley spotted an obstruction on Saracens wing Chris Ashton, handing the home side a one-man advantage as the interval approached.
And Saracens made the Tigers pay, exerting considerable scrum pressure that reaped its reward when Vunipola powered over from close range, before Hodgson's conversion secured a 7-6 half-time lead.
With Youngs still off the pitch, Saracens scored a second try following Ashton's strong run, with the move finished off by Bosch. Youngs then returned, but Wyles touched down out wide as the home side eased clear.
Leicester's early promise had evaporated, with their cause not helped by scrummaging cornerstone Marcos Ayerza limping off in agony after he attempted to tackle Bosch.
Entering the final quarter, Saracens went in pursuit of a bonus-point try, but although a fourth touchdown ultimately eluded them, they were impressive value for a 13th win from 19 Premiership games this term.
The Tigers' afternoon ended with another player in the sin-bin as Vereniki Goneva saw yellow for a forearm-led challenge.
