Thomas Castaignede destroyed Leicester's dream of creating a new English
league record as Saracens came from behind to stun the Premiership leaders at
Vicarage Road.
Leicester would have set a new best of 18 successive league wins, stretching
back to last December when Saracens beat them, had they triumphed in front of a
13,000-strong crowd.
But French star Castaignede recovered from a first-half goal-kicking nightmare
to land three goals after the break and secure an outstanding victory.
Leicester led 9-8 at the interval but Saracens, watched by their new
Australian signing Tim Horan, dug deep to put a disappointing week of two
successive Premiership defeats behind them.
The lead repeatedly changed hands during a full-blooded but often error-strewn
encounter, yet Castaignede displayed all of his big-match temperament as
Leicester kept infringing.
Castaignede also pulled off a remarkable try-saving tackle on Leicester wing
Alister Newmarch, stopping him in his tracks when a score seemed certain, and
that one heroic piece of defence lifted his team-mates.
It was in stark contrast to Castaignede's early form which saw him miss early
goal-kicking chances, resulting in Saracens skipper Kyran Bracken briefly
handing the responsibility to fly-half Duncan McRae.
But Castaignede resumed the role after half-time and Saracens never looked
back as Leicester's remarkable nine-month unbeaten league run came to an end,
even though they still topped the table tonight.
Tigers' full-back Tim Stimpson booted Leicester into an early lead, but
Saracens responded swiftly through an impressive solo try from McRae.
He intercepted an intended pass from Martin Corry to Newmarch in his own half,
kicked the ball beyond Stimpson and then beat a rapidly retreating Austin Healey
to claim the touchdown.
Leicester had their England prop Darren Garforth sin-binned, yet Stimpson was
able to regain the lead with another penalty that saw him clock up 500 career
league points.
Saracens centre Ben Johnston followed Garforth into the cooler for a technical
offence, and was fortunate to escape a second yellow card much later in the
match.
He illegally held back Leicester wing Winston Stanley, but his misdemeanour
went unpunished as referee Nigel Yates farcically got the wrong player,
penalising Leicester skipper Martin Johnson before touch judge Steve Lander
pointed out the mistake and Yates reversed his initial decision.
Johnston had still enjoyed a fortunate let-off though, but that illustrated
how the game drifted Saracens' way as Leicester slipped away during the final
quarter.
Stimpson had early completed his penalty hat-trick securing a one point
interval advantage, but Castaignede then began finding his range and two
penalties during a four-minute spell gave Saracens the lead that they never
lost.
Leicester lost their influential midfield playmaker Pat Howard, who slipped
off 16 minutes from time before Castaignede completed the job for Saracens with
his fourth penalty.
Had Saracens come unstuck it would have been their third defeat in a week, but
the manner of such a hard-working victory suggests there is far more to this
team than an entertaining 15-man rugby machine.
Leicester, meanwhile, will go away and lick their wounds, but London Irish can
surely expect a backlash when they go to Welford Road next Saturday.
Man of the Match: Tony Diprose (Saracens)
Saracens: Castaignede, Sparg, Johnston, Sorrell,
Luger, McRae,
Bracken, Flatman, Cairns, Wallace, Murray, Grewcock, Hill,
Chesney, Diprose.
Replacements: O'Mahony for Johnston (73),
White for Flatman (54), Davison for Grewcock (69),
Cole for Hill (69).
Not Used: Arasa, Parkes, Walshe.
Sin Bin: Johnston (21).
Leicester: Stimpson, Newmarch, Lloyd, Howard, Stanley, Healey,
Grindal, Jelley, West, Garforth, M. Johnson, Kay, Gustard,
Back, Corry.
Replacements: Booth for Howard (63), Rowntree for Jelley (67),
Balding for Kay (70), Moody for Gustard (67).
Not Used: Gelderbloom, Nebbett, Cockerill.
Sin Bin: Garforth (15).
Att: 13,021
Ref: N Yates (RFU).
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