Leicester kept on course for a domestic double as they brushed aside the dogged challf Saracens to march into the Tetley's Bitter Cup semi-finals.

Full-back Tim Stimpson kicked 21 points to become only the eighth Tigers player in history to break the 800-point barrier for the Welford Road club.

Second-half tries from replacement Adam Balding, hooker Dorian West and England duo Austin Healey and Neil Back ensured victory for Leicester, who also have a six-point advantage at the top of the league.

Saracens responded with scores from wing Dan Luger, centre Tom Shanklin and, in injury time, flanker Tony Roques but they could not prevent another defeat that effectively leaves their season in tatters.

Coach Francois Pienaar's side must somehow overcome their difficult Heineken Cup position if they want to remain in trophy contention in the spring.

A fiery quarter-final which saw both teams welcome back their England heroes burst into life in the second half when all seven tries were scored.

But Saracens never recovered after conceding three penalties inside the first five minutes in the wake of a blistering start from the home side.

Stimpson kicked two of them from wide out on the right but missed the other chance from the opposite side of the field.

The visitors slowly forced their way back into the game with outside-half Duncan McRae landing a penalty.

But McRae, who went off just before the break with an apparent shoulder injury that left him doubled up in pain, then missed two chances to at least draw his side level.

Luger also came close to a try but put a foot in touch just before he touched down and Saracens were again left reeling as Leicester hit-back.

The Tigers willingness to launch counter-attacks from inside their own 22 and bring wings Geordan Murphy and Fereti Tuilagi into play were rewarded although only via the boot of Stimpson.

The 27-year-old added two more penalties before the break to score the points he needed to join the elite band of Leicester players in the 800 club.

With so much at stake there was bound to be blows struck and after a warning to the skippers referee Chris Rees sinbinned Leicester's Graham Rowntree and Saracens England lock Danny Grewcock when violence flared.

Leicester had also lost number eight Martin Corry to a bloodied nose but it was his replacement Balding who broke the try deadlock just two minutes after the restart.

Balding somehow found himself in acres of space on the right touchline where he was reached by a long pass from Murphy and the forward just had enough speed and stamina to score in the corner.

But Saracens, virtually out of contention in the league after three successive defeats when they were depleted by England call-ups, refused to concede a defeat.

Luger, England's try hero against Australia, quickly scored a touchdown from close range that needed no video replays after a scything break by centre Shanklin.

Nick Walshe, who had come on as a replacement for McRae, converted from the touchline to suddenly bring his side within one score of Leicester.

But Leicester replied with another Stimpson penalty before they grabbed their second try through West, who forged over from close range after another spell of pressure. Stimpson converted.

Saracens, without expensive recruits Thomas Castaignede and Tim Horan through injury, again refused to buckle as Shanklin turned from provider to scorer with a slick try that Walshe converted.

But it was not enough as Healey was judged to have got the final touch on the line for another try, converted by Stimpson.

The full-back then added another conversion after Back, playing with more than 20 stitches in a head wound following the victory over South Africa, plunged over in injury time.

There was still time for flanker Roques to take advantage of some suddenly weak tackling to score, Walshe converting, but it was not enough to stop Leicester taking another step towards a league and cup double.

Teams:

Leicester: Stimpson, Murphy, Smith, Howard, Tuilagi, Goode, Healey, Rowntree, West, Garforth, M. Johnson, Kay, W. Johnson, Back, Corry.

Not Used: Hamilton, Gelderbloom, Balding, Lewitt, Nebbett, Cockerill, Jelley.

Tries: Balding, West, Healey, Back.

Cons: Stimpson 3.

Pens: Stimpson 5.

Saracens: Sparg, O'Mahony, Shanklin, Sorrell, Luger, McRae, Bracken, Flatman, Russell, White, Murray, Grewcock, Diprose, Roche, Hill.

Not Used: Cairns, Phillips, Chesney, Davison, Walshe, Johnston, Haughton.

Tries: Luger, Shanklin, Roche.

Cons: Walshe 3.

Pens: McRae.

Att: 10,007

Ref: Chris Rees (RFU).