Match Centre: Leicester Tigers 24-18 Saracens

Leicester Tigers 24-18 Saracens, Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium

Leicester Tigers managed to hold off Saracens with a 24-18 victory in the latest round of the Gallagher Premiership at Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium on Sunday.

The result meant Leicester now have returned back to winning ways after losing two games as they climb to the eighth position in the table while Saracens still are at the top despite the defeat.

Leicester made a dominating start to the game as Jasper Wiese made a strong push and went to 40 metre before being hauled down. The ball was recycled and eventually Handre Pollard dived from close range to score in the 4th minute. The South African fly-half also kicked the conversion to make it 7-0.

They doubled their tally shortly as Mike Brown went past three defenders allowing Cameron Henderson to touchdown and Pollard improved it to make it 14-0.

Alex Goode with a 16th minute penalty goal got Saracens off the mark before Leicester's third try came in the 26th minute with Brown dotting down after Jimmy Gopperth and Chris Ashton created the space for the former England international. Pollard, who slotted the extras also followed with a penalty goal to make it 24-3.

Just as the half-time was nearing, Fijian prop Mawi went over from a pick-and-go and Goode kicked the conversion as the teams completed the opening half with a 24-10 scoreline.

Saracens looked threatening as Rotimi Segun was held up before the line but another Goode penalty goal helped them reduce the arrears to 11 points. With the momentum on their side, Alex Lewington seized on a loose ball and raced away from 75 metres to score a sensational try.

There was another nervous moment as Theodor Dan was also held up before the line as Leicester defence managed to hold Saracens attack as they sealed a six point victory.

Team line up:

Leicester: Brown; Ashton, Scott, Gopperth, Potter; Pollard, Youngs; West, Montoya (capt), Heyes, Martin, Henderson, Liebenberg, Cracknell, Wiese.

Reserves: Clare, Van Wyk, Hurd, Snyman, Reffell, Edwards, Atkinson, Simmons.

Saracens: Maitland; Segun, Lozowski, Tompkins, Lewington; Goode (capt), Davies; Mawi, Pifeleti, Riccioni, Ellis, Tizard, Christie, Wray, B Vunipola.

Reserves: Dan, Hislop, Judge, Boon, Knight, Van Zyl, Hartley, Harris