Leicester kept themselves in sight of the Zurich Premiership's pace-setters by
clinching their first away win of the season at Vicarage Road on Sunday.
Former England full-back Tim Stimpson laid the foundations for the Tigers'
victory with a flawless kicking display, booting three penalties and two
conversions in blustery conditions.
His performance was in stark contrast to that of Andy Goode, the player who
left Welford Road for Saracens over the summer in search of regular first-team
rugby at fly-half.
If Goode had been hoping to show Leicester director of rugby Dean Richards
what the Tigers were missing then he was sorely disappointed, making just three
of his eight kicks at goal and turning in a largely anonymous display in open
play.
Steve Booth and Geordan Murphy both crossed for Leicester in the second half
as the Tigers cranked up the pressure, and they would have been further ahead
had they not had a Booth try disallowed in the 65th minute.
Tom Shanklin and Thomas Castaignede touched down for Saracens as the London
club often threatened to cut loose but lacked Leicester firepower in attack.
There was no place for Austin Healey in Leicester's starting line-up - he was
expected to feature at fly-half - but his replacement Sam Vesty made his
presence felt as early as the second minute with a slicing run through the
middle of Saracens' defence.
He eventually off-loaded to centre Leon Lloyd who was almost clean through
before being collared by the home cover, but the Tigers won a penalty at the
breakdown which Stimpson stroked over.
Kyran Bracken went down injured in the 20th minute, and his absence cost the
home side when Shanklin made some hard yards up the right wing, with Saracens
recycling the ball quickly.
But with Bracken down, there was no one to clear the ball at scrum-half - and
Leicester's forwards reacted swiftly, scooping up possession and clearing the
threat.
Bracken - vying with Northampton's Matt Dawson and Gloucester's Andy Gomarsall
for the scrum-half berth in England's November autumn Test series - then left
the field and was replaced by Morgan Williams.
Goode finally managed to slot a penalty from right in front of the posts - his
first from four attempts - to give his side only a brief lead, before moments
later Stimpson kicked another three points.
Leicester's last penalty also saw centre Kevin Sorrell sin-binned for a
professional foul, but being a man short did little to inhibit Saracens who
scored the first try of the match in the 33rd minute.
It was the increasingly impressive Shanklin who crossed, intercepting Vesty's
pass before sprinting half the pitch to touch down in the corner. The mistake
was tough on Vesty, who had looked the Tigers' most dangerous player.
Inevitably Goode missed the conversion. But Stimpson was enjoying a fine
afternoon with the boot, kicking his third penalty on the stroke of half-time to
give his side a 9-8 interval lead.
Bracken was back on for the second half but could not prevent Leicester
scoring a try just 45 seconds after the restart, winger Booth scampering in at
the corner after some quick hands from Vesty. Stimpson added the two points.
Tigers number eight Martin Corry was sin-binned in the 47th minute - and
Saracens took full advantage five minutes later, French full-back Castaignede
sprinting on to a flat pass from Tim Horan to skip between two Leicester
defenders.
Goode was on target with the conversion. But there was controversy in the 65th
minute when Booth had a try disallowed - play was called back to the halfway
line for an off-the-ball infringement by the Tigers.
Leicester could not be denied in the 72nd minute, Murphy touching down for a
try improved by Stimpson.
Goode then kicked a penalty in search of a bonus point. But Murphy unleashed a
long-range injury-time drop-goal from a tight angle to seal a deserved victory
for the Tigers.
Teams:
Saracens: Castaignede, Shanklin, Sorrell, Horan, O'Mahony,
Goode, Bracken, Califano, Cairns, Marsters, Hooper, Yandell,
Chesney, Roques, Hill.
Not Used: Kershaw, Flatman, Benazzi, Quinnell, Williams,
Johnston, Winnan.
Sin Bin: Sorrell (31).
Tries: Shanklin, Castaignede.
Cons: Goode.
Pens: Goode 2.
Leicester: Stimpson, Murphy, Lloyd, Kafer, Booth, Vesty,
Tierney, Rowntree, Chuter, Garforth, M. Johnson, Kay, Moody,
Back, Corry.
Not Used: West, Freshwater, Kronfeld, Tournaire, J. Hamilton,
McMullen, Gelderbloom.
Sin Bin: Corry (47).
Tries: Booth, Murphy.
Cons: Stimpson 2.
Pens: Stimpson 3.
Drop Goals: Murphy
Att: 10,531
Ref: A Lewis (IRFU).
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