The trip to Madejski was disappointing. We could, maybe should have won. The Good Doctor maintained that 3 points was a small price to pay for the knowledge we gained from loosing that match. Was he right? Today we would find out. Had the bubble burst, were the wheels coming off? 

Three wheels on my wagon,

And I’m still rolling along

The Cherokees are chasing me

Arrows fly, right on by

But I’m singing a happy song

I’m singing a higgity, haggity, hoggety, high

Pioneers, they never say die

A mile up the road there’s a hidden cave

And we can watch those Cherokees

Go galloping by

Leicester continued to look dangerous winning themselves a scrum close to Sarries’ try line. Somehow the Sarries pack held firm forcing them to play wide and eventually going backwards. The move ended when a kick ahead rolled harmlessly over the dead ball line. Sarries won a penalty from the restart which Mr Rose marched forward 10m for dissent. Unfortunately it didn’t help Glen who once again went for too much distance and missed touch.

Leicester were hampered by a nasty looking injury to Anthony Allen which led to him being replaced by Staunton. Sarries continued to defend heroically but didn’t help themselves by keeping on giving their hard won ball straight back to Leicester. They did force Leicester to concede 3 penalties in quick succession of which 1 was kickable (and missed) and 1 resulted in a lineout which was also lost. Sarries were not taking their chances.

As half time approached, a good move from the backs started and ended by Goode almost bore fruit but Leicester cleared their lines. The officials seemed to miss Staunton going in touch and at least one lot of crossing by the Leicester backs. With 5 minutes of the half left there was almost more action than in the preceding 35. Leicester won a penalty wide on the right which Flood converted to bring the scores level.

From the restart Andy Saull chased his own chip kick but as he bore down on the try line he was blatantly held back by Stankovich who was sent to the bin for 10 minutes. Jackson kicked the resulting penalty into the corner to much appreciation from the crowd. Sarries were able to get the maul rolling (having for once won the lineout) and won themselves a penalty 5m out when Leicester pulled it down. Surely it was worth a scrum. There was a minute left, Leicester were a man down and would have been forced to bring on a replacement prop – it had to be worth a go. But no, Jackson kicked the penalty to end the first half 6-3 ahead. How important that might have been. Had we gone for the scrum, had we scored the try, had we converted it, had we gone in 10-3 up rather than 6-3 and with the prospect of Leicester having to play the start of the 2^nd half with 14 men it could have been a whole different ball game.

The writing was on the wall when the teams came out for the 2^nd half. Brits was on for Ongaro and Hougaard for Jackson. True it wasn’t one of Jackson’s better games but it didn’t bode well for a half of exciting rugby. Brits was in the action almost straight away making a good tackle (why can’t the guy start the match?) Eventually Leicester were forced to bring on Ayerza for Brett Deacon when Sarries were awarded a scrum but over half the sinbin was done and probably a trick was missed in allowing the more mobile Deacon to remain on the field so long.

There was some lovely interplay between Marshall and Brits who between them gained over 50m as they exchanged passes deep into the Leicester 22 but unfortunately the move ended in a knock on and a Leicester scrum. Despite only having 7 in the pack, the Tigers forwards were looking ominously strong.

Sarries managed to set up a maul which was again pulled down resulting in a penalty on half way wide on the right. Meat and drink to Houhaa of course who kicked the ball over for fun making it 9-3.

From the restart, with Leicester back up to 15, it became apparent the Sarries’ scrum was in serious trouble. Another penalty conceded at the scrum then another in open play led to a quick tap and a Leicester try for Dan Hipkiss converted by Flood. Leicester took the lead 9-10 for the first time. So when the going gets tough, the tough get going. This was where the lessons learned in Reading should come into play. Could Sarries dig deep and get themselves back into it ? Sadly the knowledge stayed in the dressing room.

Sarries replaced Aguero with Gill but if anything the scrum looked more vulnerable. They did win a penalty moving into the last quarter which Houhaa converted to briefly give Sarries the lead again but it was never going to be enough. Within a minute the scrum, now in complete disarray, had conceded yet another penalty and Flood put Leicester back in front 12-13. Houhaa had the inevitable drop goal attempt (with the inevitable result) but made amends by kicking a long penalty from just inside his own half as the lead changed again, 15-13. What followed was probably the final nail in the coffin when Youngs appeared to throw the ball straight at Borthwick who was ducking out of the way in an offside position. Ina scenario reminiscent of the Brits incident against Northampton, Mr Rose sent the Sarries’ Captain to the sinbin. Flood restored Leicester’s lead 15-16 and the writing was on the wall 2 minutes later when the 7 man scrum collapsed (well 8 actually because Penney joined in) and Flood put Leicester 4 points in the lead.

It was Irish all over again – and sadly with the same result. While the points difference was less than 3 there was always the hope that Houhaa could drop one over but now Sarries needed a try and to be honest they didn’t seem to have a clue how to score one. Despite needing ball retention, they persisted in kicking the ball back to Leicester making it simple for them. Leicester wound down the clock with some ease, winning themselves another penalty with 4 minutes to go (another scrum offence) which Flood never looked like missing. 15-22. Even the bonus point was now at risk. Sarries were thrown a lifeline as the clock ticked down to zero, a penalty just inside the Leicester half. It cried out for a quick tap before the Tigers defence got back on their feet but Houhaa didn’t trust himself with the pass and waited for Moses by which time the moment had passed and Leicester defended the move with ease.

There have been suggestions that “officiating” was to blame for the defeat. While it wasn’t the best refereeing display I have ever seen, Sarries were the engineers of their own problems. They never looked like creating a try. Sure the defence is good but there has to be more to it than that. Houhaa can kick, but the up and under game was never going to be enough to beat Leicester. They are far too canny for that and we didn’t seem to have a plan B. Yes Jackson had a poor game but we did have a creative fly half on the pitch – at full back. Perhaps some of that “vision” and “reading of the game” which was much praised on TRC this week could have been put to use when the kicking game failed? Look at Northampton. They too needed a try in the dying minutes to beat Irish – and got it through Geraghty and their try machine Chris Ashton. But you can’t help thinking that were Ashton playing in a black shirt, he wouldn’t have been given the ball.

 
Two wheels on my wagon,
And I’m still rolling along
Them Cherokees are after me
Flaming spears, burn my ears
But I’m singing a happy song
 
I’m singing a higgity, haggity hoggety, high
Pioneers, they never say die
Half a mile up the road there’s a hidden cave
And we can watch those Cherokees
Go galloping by. 

Teams

Scorers: 

Saracens: Pens Jackson (2) Hougaard (3)

Leicester: Try Hipkiss, Conv Flood,Pens Flood (5)

Referee David Rose

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