Geordan Murphy: Celebrates the Tigers' win with his team-mates
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An injury time drop goal from Leicester's captain Geordan Murphy sealed a narrow 20-19 Aviva Premiership win over Saracens at Vicarage Road on Sunday.
In an even contest, the result could easily have gone to the hosts, who thought they had done enough to gain the match points when their full-back Alex Goode slotted a penalty in the 76th minute.
But it wasn't to be and Murphy's heroics keeps the Tigers in the hunt for a play-off place.
After Goode missed two penalty attempts inside the opening 10 minutes the first points of the game came from the boot of Toby Flood.
His penalty goals after 11 and 26 minutes gave Leicester a 6-0 lead, although the visitors' cause wasn't helped when Ed Slater was dispatched to the sin-bin.
Saracens were unable to make the most of the numerical advantage, but they were in front ten minutes before half-time.
Saracens scrum-half Neil de Kock was the man to get the hosts off the mark and, after his try had been rubber-stamped by the video referee, Alex Goode's conversion gave them the lead.
But the lead lasted less than five minutes, as Flood's third penalty of the afternoon gave Leicester the advantage for a second time.
The two sides exchanged further penalties before half-time, making it 10-12 to the Tigers at the interval.
Saracens enjoyed the lion's share off pressure following the restart, with two Goode penalties overturning the two-point deficit and putting the hosts four in front.
But Slater's unconverted try on 64 minutes put Leicester a point to the good and set up a grandstand finish.
Saracens thought they'd won it when Goode pinged over his fourth penalty of the afternoon, but Murphy's drop-goal from in front of the posts broke the home supporters' hearts and sealed the win.
The defeat dents Saracens hopes of catching pace-setters Harlequins at the top of the table, while the win for Leicester sees them gain ground on third-placed Northampton.
The scorers:
For Saracens:
Try: De Kock
Con: Goode
Pens: Goode 4
For Leicester:
Try : Slater
Pen: Flood 4
Drop-goal: Murphy
Yellow card: Ed Slater (Leicester -1st minute)
Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Duncan Taylor, 13 Chris Wyles, 12 Adam Powell, 11 James Short, 10 Nils Mordt, 9 Neil de Kock, 8 Jackson Wray, 7 Andy Saull, 6 Justin Melck, 5 Hayden Smith, 4 George Kruis, 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 John Smit (capt).
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Rhys Gill, 18 Matt Stevens, 19 Hugh Vyvyan, 20 Will Fraser, 21 Ben Spencer, 22 Joel Tomkins, 23 Michael Tagicakibau.
Leicester: 15 Geordan Murphy (capt), 14 Horacio Agulla, 13 Manu Tuilagi, 12 Anthony Allen, 11 Matt Smith, 10 Toby Flood, 9 James Grindal, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Julian Salvi, 6 Steve Mafi, 5 George Skivington, 4 Ed Slater, 3 Logoviii Mulipola, 2 George Chuter, 1 Marcos Ayerza.
Replacements: 16 Rob Hawkins, 17 Boris Stankovich, 18 Ryan Bower, 19 Graham Kitchener, 20 Craig Newby, 21 Scott Steele, 22 George Ford, 23 Scott Hamilton.
Referee: Andrew Small
Comments
APV1 says...
@ lawynd - Jonathan Joseph..?
Posted 16:35 24th February 2012
lawynd says...
@APV1 - Jordan Turner-Hall is the one chap I think can rival Tuilagi for the 13 shirt at the moment, and I've been disappointed that he hasn't had more than a ten-minute cameo at the end of the games so far.
Posted 10:32 21st February 2012
jappers1983 says...
Bit harsh on Twelvetrees - he's a 12 who can do a job at 10, rather than an out-and-out fly half.
Going back to Flood, maybe this is why when it came to the World Cup, Johnson went with the tried and trusted Wilkinson? I'd imagine Johnson, for all his failings, can at least recognise players who will step up to the plate in high-pressure situations. Just a shame that Wilko couldn't hit a barn door at the world cup.
Posted 19:05 20th February 2012
APV1 says...
@ lawynd & TVaddict - Twelvetrees needs to get himself used to the 12 position, as I think that's going to be the best place for him, with Tuilagi at 13. Depending whether England play Farrell at 10 or 12, will depend on whether he (12treees) gets a start for the red rose. And that depends on Burns, Ford, Heathcote and Cipriani. If any one of those steps up and starts to play like an international 10, they've got plenty of time to develop and learn.
Nice problem to have, though, isn't it?
Tuilagi getting injured worries me more. He's the nailed-on 13, but our strength in depth is missing there. Barritt? JT-H? Banahan? Who..?
Posted 15:09 20th February 2012
lawynd says...
Also, I was a bit annoyed by the commentary team during the game on Sunday constantly making apologies for Sarries 'missing so many players due to the 6N'. As far as I can tell, Sarries were missing seven players to international duty, Leicester five (including the injured Castrogiovanni), and both sides are missing a lot of players to injury too; Leicester are down to their fifth-choice tighthead prop! Given how honest, and magnanimous, McCall was in defeat, it's more than a little disingenuous.
Posted 14:46 20th February 2012
lawynd says...
@TVaddict - I wouldn't write of Twelvetrees just yet - he's still very young and doesn't even have as much experience as Farrell, and most of what he has played has been as an interim fly-half. Give him a run in the 12 shirt at Gloucester next season and I think he'll impress a lot of people.
Posted 12:35 20th February 2012
TVaddict says...
@lawynd
Totally agree, I've always doubted his mental toughness and at the end of the day that wins you games. I feel it's the difference between players like Twelvetrees and Burns compared to Farrell. Whenever Farrell has needed to step up to the occasion he has, whereas the others seems to need a lot of time to get comfortable, and even then can be erratic.
Posted 11:36 20th February 2012
lawynd says...
I think that moment encapsulates for me what Flood's problem will always be; mental toughness. He's not the greatest drop-goal exponent in the game but I'm reasonably certain I could have converted it from that position! He's got the skills, but when the chips are down or he's been bashed about, he can't handle the pressure.
Posted 10:23 20th February 2012
Ham_Bap says...
There is no way Flood can be selected for the Wales game after losing his bottle like that! How many international caps does he have?? Tuilagi on the other hand MUST play. Andrew Small was unbelievable in missing the numerous intentional blocks on the Sarries chasers, but fair play to Leicester and Cockerill for highlighting a Sarries tactic and trying to prevent it. They played on the fact Small is completely inept and got away with it.Overall, a hugely enjoyable game of rugby of passion, commitment and endeavour. Agree with NHSaints, I just can't see Quins being able to live with the qualities of Sarries, Leicester or Saints, even with a home semi final.
Posted 10:13 20th February 2012
rugby_rockstar says...
I agree Jappers, Flood will be lucky to get a bench spot. To be genous I'd say he looked rusty after so many weeks out; Others may say his kicking and decision making has been fragile since the RWC warm up games, specifically the Cardiff loss where England dominated posession and teritory but completly failed to do anything with it.
Tuilagi is a shoe in though. Tigers didn;t play well, but everytime they gave the ball to Manu he either recycled or smashed it up over the gainline. The guy has to play against Wales, I can't see us winning without his threat in the back line.
Posted 10:06 20th February 2012
jimbo says...
jappers1983, I totally agree. While I didn't see a replay of the moment when he decided to run rather than kick, my immediate thought was that he just didn't have the guts for it. Credit to Murphy who showed he certainly isn't lacking in BMT and took the responsibility.
Posted 09:24 20th February 2012
NHsaints says...
How does it see them gain ground on the saints when both teams claimed a 3 point victory? Hmm explain that PR? Anyway point aside it actually means that both the saints and tigers gain ground on Sarries and Quins start their trudge away from the 2nd place team at the top of the table...I can't see anyone catching Quins and at this rate I'd say it'll be a very tight battle for that other home semi between the Sarries, Saints and Tigers (or whatever dark horse sneaks up for 4th) but I'd put my money on the 2nd place either belonging to Saints or Sarries and which of those two it will be I think will be decided on the 4th when they go head to head at vicarage road...in fact I'd go as far as to say the eventual Premiership Champs will be from the winner of that match with Quins struggling against the top sides like Saints and Sarries when all contingents are full...should be an interesting few weeks either way.
Posted 21:23 19th February 2012
jappers1983 says...
Seeing Flood cower away from taking responsibility for the drop goal makes me think he should not play against Wales. Unbelievable.
Posted 20:54 19th February 2012