Saracens too strong for Leicester

Editor

Defending champions Saracens remain top of the Premiership standings after a convincing 24-10 win over Leicester Tigers on Saturday.

The home side set out on the front foot in the first half and tries from Chris Wyles and Sean Maitland sent the hosts into a commanding lead at the break. 

The second half was a more even affair as Leicester showed more of the form that saw them defeat Racing 92 in the Champions Cup. However, Billy Vunipola's try early in the second half put the match to bed before George Catchpole scored a consolation try for Tigers. The 24-10 victory sees Sarries' impressive start to the season continue as they retain their place atop the Premiership. 

Meanwhile, Leicester remain in fourth place. Sarries took an early lead after eight minutes. Jackson Wray drew in the Leicester defence with a clever run before passing the ball off to Wyles to score in the corner. Owen Farrell converted to establish an early seven-point lead.

Leicester cut the deficit with a penalty from Owen Williams after 13 minutes. However, six minutes later, his namesake Farrell responded with a penalty of his own for the hosts to make the score 10-3. A fine move saw the home side score their second try in the 24th minute. Farrell, Spencer and Goode combined well to play in Maitland on the right-hand side to finish the move. Farrell converted to send his side into a 14-point lead. 

Five minutes after the break, Billy Vunipola peeled off the back of a driving maul to score in customary bulldozing fashion. Farrell made no mistake with his conversion attempt, making the score 24-3. Mako Vunipola was sent to the sin-bin after 63 minutes for taking out the kicker after Freddie Burns had chipped through for Tigers. 

Leicester took advantage in the 66th minute, Catchpole putting the finishing touch on a superb team move for his side's first try of the match. Williams added the extras, making the final score to 24-10.

The scorers:

For Saracens:
Tries:
Wyles, Maitland, B Vunipola
Cons: Farrell 3
Pen: Farrell

For Leicester:
Try:
Catchpole
Con: Williams
Pen: Williams

Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Nick Tompkins, 12 Brad Barritt (c), 11 Chris Wyles, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Ben Spencer, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Jackson Wray, 5 Jim Hamilton, 4 Michael Rhodes, 3 Juan Figallo, 2 Jamie George, 1 Mako Vunipola 
Replacements: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Richard Barrington, 18 Petrus Du Plessis, 19 Mark Flanagan, 20 Kelly Brown, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Alex Lozowski, 23 Marcelo Bosch 

Leicester Tigers: 15 Mathew Tait, 14 Adam Thompstone, 13 Peter Betham, 12 Jack Roberts, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Owen Williams, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Lachlan McCaffrey, 7 Brendon O'Connor, 6 Mike Fitzgerald, 5 Graham Kitchener, 4 Ed Slater, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Tom Youngs (c), 1 Marcos Ayerza
Replacements: 16 George McGuigan, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Logovi'i Mulipola, 19 Luke Hamilton, 20 Will Evans, 21 Sam Harrison, 22 Freddie Burns, 23 George Catchpole

Date: Saturday, October 29 
Venue: Allianz Park
Time: 15:00 local (14:00 GMT) 
Referee: Wayne Barnes
Assistant Referees: Craig Maxwell-Keys & Matthew Carley
TMO: Rowan Kitt