365 Sporting Days

There was some controversy in the build up to this match as the Saracens team was loaded with the returning England players. Tigers hadn’t gone that route but had a decent team out nonetheless. With one Mike Brown at 15.

We had an early look at Ben Earl storming down the wing, he passed to Alex Goode, who was very probably tackled without the ball, the ball was knocked on, first scrum, first scrum penalty, against Saracens.

The first attempt at points went the way of Tigers, a kick from just within the Saracens half, a good kick for Jamie Shillcock, 3 points for Tigers.

Saracens went on a running rampage, but the attempted kick through by Owen Farrell was caught by a Tiger. The next attack, a while later, saw Earl involved again, but Maro Itoje reaching over the line to reach his arm out and score. Owen Farrell converted the try. Farrell had put a lovely, grubber type kick through for Alex Lozowski to collect.

Saracens won a penalty close to their own line as Billy Vunipola was caught by a trailing arm, just a pen, Vunipola was very low.

Elliot Daly, kicked the ball over the approaching Tigers close to the halfway line, he got a hand to it, but no dice. A scrum, a free kick to Tigers. shillcock kicked the ball a long way up the pitch, Alex Goode called the mark and responded in kind and into touch. Saracens won the ball, so a result all round. However they then gave away a penalty on the floor.

A line out on the Saracens 22 was the result, the ball was thrown long, and looked to have worked well for Tigers, but the Saracens forwards had other plans, Itoje kicked the ball up the pitch, for another Tigers line out, they won the ball, but not on the floor. Saracens won the put in to the scrum. They won the penalty this time but had a go running with the ball all the same, Daly, who isn’t a big man, flattening a Tiger as he went.

Farrell kicked the awarded penalty to the corner and forwards and backs combined to drive at the line, Andy Christie using all his strength went over. Farrell added the extras.

We at last had a scrum that worked, in Saracens favour, Mike Brown, who definitely still has it, took the ball that had been kicked ahead, and was tackled before he landed, giving Tigers a welcome penalty. Their attack came to nothing from their line out as the ball was missed by Ollie Haskell Collins to go into touch.

The throw in went to Christie who run to the front of the line out, he passed back to Jamie George, who was bundled into touch. Tigers won the line out then a penalty, giving them a good platform close to the Saracens line. Nick Isekwie won the line out however. That put Tigers back into their own half.

A Saracens knock on and we had another scrum, Tigers were awarded a free kick and the scrum was re-set. They then won a penalty as the scrum rose up.

Another line out close to the Saracens line for Tigers, this time Itoje won the ball. The penalty was kickable, that might’ve been the better option.

We had time for a final scrum before the half time whistle. Saracens won the penalty and Farrell kicked the ball out. The score was Saracens 14 Leicester Tigers 3.

Saracens won a penalty early in the 2nd half, Itoje rode up to take the ball, Billy Vunipola scored as Saracens pressed, the ref called no try on the pitch. But the ball was clearly grounded. Farrell added that extras.

The first scrum in the second half came after the ball was knocked on after a Tigers line out.

Tom Whitely playing at 9 for Tigers showed his gym skills after he was knocked back, a backwards flip almost! Impressive.

In the meantime we’d had another scrum and another Tigers penalty. Charlie Atkinson I’m at 10 kicked to touch. Itoje won the ball but not cleanly so it ended up with Tigers, Itoje then pulled the ball from an attacking Tiger.

We had another scrum in the Tigers half, this time Saracens won the penalty. Farrell kicked to touch. Saracens were awarded a penalty as the maul was pulled down. Second time lucky with Jamie George with ball in hand as the maul wheeled round for him to score. The score was Saracens 26 Tigers 3.

Tigers scored a try through Whitely after Farrell had a kick charged down, it was served up on a plate. Atkinson added the extras.

Whitely had his own kick charged down by Itoje after the kick off, Itoje was playing like a man possessed!

We had some mote of Itoje’s kicking skills, the ball hitting the posts after Farrell had kicked ahead and tackled Brown who lost control of the ball.

Both teams had made considerable changes by this time, Ben Earl coming off part way before it was gleaned that should’ve been Andy Christie, who’s had a great game.

Saracens won a penalty from a scrum deep in the Tigers half. Farrell took the kick option, adding 3 pointe to the Saracens score.

Tigers we’re awarded a penalty in the Saracens half, Atkinson kicked to touch, Saracens won the line out ball. Again a kickable penalty eschewed.

Jamie Shillcock back on scored a great individual try, running through several Saracens defenders, including Farrell who he brushed to one side. He then converted the try with a great kick. The score was Saracens 29 Tigers 17 with 10 minutes remaining.

Saracens were awarded a penalty, the Tee was brought in in spite of Farrell not opting for the kick, he took the clock virtually down to zero. But for the 3 points, it wasn’t great to hear him swearing in the build up. He does let himself down at times.

We had one of few successful scrums, Saracens coming up with the ball from their put in. Tigers won a rare line out after Farrell kicked to touch.

Maro Itoje was awarded the Player of the Match accolade, he’d been immense throughout the game.

Tigers had a much better second half, and didn’t drop their effort at all. They won their line out ball close to the Saracens 22 but couldn’t break through. The final score was Saracens 32 Tigers 17.