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Beaten Tigers stunned by Saracens' second-half comeback

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Leicester Tigers 27 Saracens 32

Leicester Tigers hopes of a home semi-final in the Aviva Premiership took a huge hit after Saracens recorded a bonus-point win at Welford Road.

The result put the visitors five points clear of Leicester in second place, with Harlequins a further point ahead at the top of the table.

Tigers will have to hope that the top two sides slip up over the remaining six league games if they are to close that gap.

The hosts had powered their way into a 17-6 half-time lead after dominating the opening 40 minutes and scoring one of the tries of the season.

Julian Salvi was first to cross the line on 28 minutes and just three minutes later, it was 17-3 when George Ford started a move in his own 22 and, after good runs by Geordan Murphy and Adam Thompstone, Ford's delicate chip over the defence allowed Dan Bowden to dive on the ball for a memorable score.

But that was as good as it got for Leicester as Sarries fought back in style after the break with four tries in 23 minutes.

Dave Strettle got the ball rolling on 51 minutes before James Short put the visitors ahead for the first time four minutes later.

The home crowd was stunned when Strettle added his second and when Chris Wyles dotted down for Saracens bonus-point fourth try, Sarries led 32-20 with just six minutes left.

Tigers battered the visitors' line in the closing stages and earned a losing bonus point when referee JP Doyle gave them a penalty try after Strettle had stopped a three-man overlap with a deliberate knock on.

Strettle was yellow-carded and Saracens ended the game with 13 men following substitute Duncan Taylor's binning seconds earlier.

Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill said: "It was disappointing after being in a good position at half-time but fair play to Saracens. We have to dust ourselves off and get ready for Sale next week."


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