Aviva Premiership: Leicester breach Saracens’ fortress in dramatic climax

Published on 20/02/2012 03:20

Leicester skipper Geordan Murphy ended Saracens’ unbeaten home record with a sensational drop-goal with the last kick of a gripping Aviva Premiership game.

Sarries were heading for victory at Vicarage Road when Tigers launched an astonishing 26-phase attack that ended with the Ireland full-back’s goal to clinch a 20-19 win.

Inspired by Schalk Brits, Saracens took their game to a Leicester side armed with more of their regular Test stars than their hosts. But it was Toby Flood who opened the scoring with a penalty after 12 minutes, a lead he doubled with a second penalty on 26 minutes.

Saracens produced a response worthy of reigning champions two minutes later. Hooker Brits snaffled a loose ball from a lineout and thundered towards the line before offloading to scrum-half Neil de Kock, who delivered a pacy finish. Alex Goode converted.

Flood completed his hat-trick of penalties before Goode got one back in the 36th minute, but it was Leicester who ended the half in front as Flood added a fourth penalty in the 40th-minute.

Goode fired Saracens back in front six minutes after the break and extended their lead in the 51st minute with a fine goal from wide on the left. But Leicester regained the lead in the 64th minute when lock Ed Slater forced the ball down under a pile of bodies.

Goode put the hosts back in front with a 75th minute penalty, before Murphy’s drop inflicted a first Premiership home defeat on Saracens in over a year.