Leeds boost survival hopes

Leeds continued their fantastic run of form and moved off the foot of the Guinness Premiership table with a 19-12 win over Saracens at Headingley.

Sarries sat on top of the league at New Year but now their play-off chances are in jeopardy after five defeats in six games.

The visitors held a 9-3 lead at half-time but Neil Back's side turned the contest around after the break to emerge victorious and give the home crowd renewed hope of beating the drop.

A 59th-minute try from wing Lee Blackett proved to be the decisive moment as Leeds won their third consecutive match.

Replacement goal-kicker Joe Ford also came up with the goods when it mattered after Ceiron Thomas was forced off midway through the first-half.

Leeds had made one change to their side as Scott Barrow, who like flanker Hendre Fourie this week signed a two-year contract extension, returned at inside centre after being absent for last Sunday's win over Wasps.

Changes

Saracens made six alterations to side that fell at home to Bath last weekend.

Rodd Penney's inclusion on the wing was the only change in the backs division while up front, prop Matias Aguero returned alongside Schalk Brits at hooker.

Tom Ryder came in at lock while Jacques Burger and Justin Melck were called into the back row.

The visitors had much of the early pressure and went ahead when Leeds were caught offside in front of their posts.

Derick Hougaard slotted a simple penalty through the uprights and doubled the lead soon after with a drop-goal that crept over from 30 yards out.

Leeds tried to counter through scrum-half Scott Mathie, but the visitors attacked again as Alex Goode broke clear in midfield.

Hougaard, however, missed a chance to extend the lead when he sent a penalty wide and Thomas was then withdrawn after a nasty clash with Kameli Ratuvou.

Leeds missed an opportunity to hit back when wing Henry Fa'afili found a gap in Saracens' defence, but Ford struck the near upright with a penalty from wide on the left.

Another miss

Ford again misfired shortly after with a more central penalty chance.

Saracens continued to press and Hougaard made it 9-0 with a drop-goal from a near identical position to his first.

But Ford made it third time lucky with penalty from right in front on the stroke of half-time.

The hosts started the second period with a spring in their step as Ford reduced the deficit to three points with a straightforward penalty.

However, Hougaard soon re-established a six-point lead with a penalty from a similar position.

Ford spurned a more difficult kick from 40 yards out on the right, but soon made amends from slightly closer-in.

Leeds then enjoyed their best period of pressure and were rewarded when Blackett went over from close range and Ford converted from the left.

Opposite hookers Andy Titterrell and Brits were sin-binned after 66 minutes for fighting before Ford and Hougaard were wide of the mark from penalties.

Leeds resisted further Saracens pressure before Ford knocked through a crucial drop-goal in the dying minutes to take his side seven points clear.