Saracens progress to semi-finals of Anglo-Welsh Cup after 29-20 victory

by Matthew Wood Monday 6 February 2017

Nathan Earle, right, was on the scoresheet for Saracens against Leicester

©PA

Saracens 29 - 20 Leicester Tigers, Allianz Park

Fly-half Tom Whiteley contributed with 14 points as Saracens defeated Leicester Tigers by 29-20 in their Anglo-Welsh encounter at Allianz Park on Sunday.

The result also means that both teams have managed to reach the semi-finals of the tournament after Saracens went on to top Pool 1 with 17 points while Leicester Tigers occupy the top position in Pool 4 with 13 points.

Richard Barrington opened the account for Saracens with a touchdown in the 11th minute allowing Whiteley to add the extras. The lead soon became 12 points after wing Nathan Earle crossed over four minutes later.

After fly-half Freddie Burns got Leicester Tigers off the mark with a 20th minute penalty, centre Nick Tompkins extended Saracens advantage with a third try in the 23rd minute and Whiteley made his second conversion.

Number eight Luke Hamilton provided some respite for the visitors at a stroke of half-time as he strolled past the post in the 33rd minute and they ended the first half with a nine point deficit after the conversion from Burns.

The Tigers showed a lot of intent in the second half after hooker George McGuigan went past the line in the 49th minute and the gap came down to two points with Burns adding the extras once again.

After both the fly-halves exchanged penalties the game entered the final two minutes with all the three results possible. However, Whiteley owned the final two minutes with a converted try to secure a nine-point victory for the Saracens.