Leicester Tigers hold off spirited Saracens comeback to end StoneX hoodoo

Leicester Tigers held off a late Saracens fightback to clinch an impressive 32-29 victory at StoneX Stadium, their first in North London for over six years.

The win means Leicester head into the international break as one of the form teams in the league, extending their run to four triumphs in a row. It also propels them to second in the table.

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Tom Willis was a notable exclusion from England’s autumn squad and the number eight showed what Steve Borthwick was missing by using his strength to set up the opening try for Nick Tompkins.

Willis’ power at close quarters and ability to find Nick Tompkins out of the tackle made the score possible, but Leicester hit back immediately when Joseph Woodward grubbered for Ollie Hassell-Collins to gather and score.

The frantic pace continued with tries arriving at both ends, Anthony Watson’s athleticism in the air and determined running the prelude to Tigers wing Izaia Perese crossing before a superb dummy and break by Juan Martin Gonzalez sent Tim Swiel over.

Gonzalez’s dynamic intervention was the highlight of a high-octane opening half-hour that Saracens edged 15-14, although they would have taken note of Leicester’s ability to strike at speed.

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Swiel landed a penalty as the tempo slowed, but the Tigers ended the half by attacking through their line-out maul and were rewarded with a penalty try given when Alec Clarey pulled it down, earning him a yellow card.

By using the same weapon six minutes after the break, Leicester motored 27-17, ahead with Julian Montoya touching down.

Saracens had been made to pay for Clarey’s spell in the sin-bin and a chaotic period followed with each side having tries ruled out by the TMO.

Hugh Tizard had dropped the ball over the line in a costly error by the home side and, having been denied by scrambling defence from Ben Youngs, they pounced in the 66th minute.

Willis bounced off two tacklers, surged forwards and, having been stopped just short of the line, Gonzalez arrived to finish.

Saracens’ tails were up and, although they still trailed by 10 points, the tide was turning – a point underlined when James Hadfield edged over after repeated short-range carries from his pack.

But they could not escape the Tigers’ grip in the closing stages and they were forced to settle for two losing bonus points.

The teams

Saracens: 15 Tom Parton, 14 Tobias Elliott, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Rotimi Segun, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Ivan van Zyl (c), 8 Tom Willis, 7 Toby Knight, 6 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 5 Hugh Tizard, 4 Theo McFarland, 3 Alec Clarey, 2 Kapeli Pifeleti, 1 Eroni Mawi
Replacements: 16 James Hadfield, 17 Phil Brantingham, 18 Ollie Hoskins, 19 Harry Wilson, 20 Nathan Michelow, 21 Gareth Simpson, 22 Josh Hallett, 23 Brandon Jackson

Leicester Tigers: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Izaia Perese, 12 Joseph Woodward, 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Tom Whiteley, 8 Olly Cracknell, 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 Hanro Liebenberg, 5 Tom Manz, 4 Harry Wells, 3 Joe Heyes, 2 Julián Montoya, 1 Nicky Smith
Replacements: 16 Charlie Clare, 17 James Cronin, 18 Will Hurd, 19 Côme Joussain, 20 Matt Rogerson, 21 Ben Youngs, 22 Jamie Shillcock, 23 Will Wand

Referee: Matthew Carley
Assistant Referees: Sara Cox, Jonathan Healy
TMO: Rowan Kitt

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