Leicester defeat Saracens 36-28 at Mattioli Woods Welford Road

Leicester Tigers 36-28 Saracens, Mattioli Woods Welford Road

Saracens’ hopes of forcing their way into the Gallagher Prem play-off picture took a hit as Leicester Tigers ran out 36-28 winners at a bitterly cold Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

With both sides knowing victory was vital to stay in touch with the top four, Leicester made the sharper start.

While Saracens showed early intent when Rhys Carre earned a breakdown penalty, the missed opportunity was costly. Almost immediately, Adam Radwan burst down the right and Billy Searle’s deft grubber allowed Freddie Steward to finish, with Searle converting for a 7-0 lead.

Leicester continued to control territory and possession, and their pressure told when a series of close-range carries eventually saw Olly Cracknell force his way over from a scrum deep inside the Saracens 22. Searle again added the extras to stretch the advantage to 14-0.

Saracens found it difficult to gain any rhythm, often opting to kick rather than build phases, but they eventually responded after Leicester conceded a run of penalties. Theo McFarland powered over from short range, and Fergus Burke’s conversion reduced the deficit to seven.

Any momentum was quickly halted by a moment of quality from the hosts. From deep in their own half, Searle broke through a gap and kicked ahead for Radwan, who regathered and finished acrobatically in the corner. The blow was compounded when Elliot Daly was shown a yellow card for a late tackle in the build-up.

Leicester pressed their numerical advantage and, after Izaia Perese was held up, Joe Heyes muscled over from close range on the stroke of half-time to secure the bonus point and give the Tigers a commanding 26-7 lead at the interval.

Saracens needed a fast start after the break and delivered through Carre, who forced his way over following repeated close-range pressure. Burke converted, but a Searle penalty soon restored Leicester’s cushion.

The decisive moment came just after the hour mark when Radwan read a pass and intercepted inside his own half, sprinting clear to complete his brace. Searle’s conversion made it 36-14 and effectively settled the contest.

To their credit, Saracens refused to fold. Juan Martín González forced his way over following good work from Theo Dan, and after Searle was sent to the sin bin, Max Malins broke the line before releasing Charlie Bracken to secure a vital bonus-point try.

Saracens pushed again in the closing stages but could not breach the defence for another score, as Leicester held firm to seal a significant win that keeps them firmly in the hunt above their visitors in the table.

Leicester Tigers: Steward; Radwan, Wand, Bailey, Hassell-Collins; Searle, van Poortvliet; Smith, Blamire, Heyes, Henderson, Chessum (c), Thompson, Williams, Cracknell.

Replacements: Clare, Haffar, Hurd, Ilione, Moro, Allan, Pearson, Hamer-Webb.

Saracens: Daly; Segun, Cinti, Tompkins, Malins; Burke, van Zyl (c); Carre, George, Riccioni, Isiekwe, Tizard, McFarland, Earl, Willis.

Replacements: Dan, Mawi, Street, Itoje, Gonzalez, Christie, C. Bracken, Lozowski.