There is nothing better in sport than grabbing a last-minute winner - no matter how it arrives!
LATE DRAMA AS PENALTY TRY SEES TIGERS MAINTAIN 100% START AND TOP THE TABLE
LEICESTER Tigers maintained their winning start to the season in extraordinary circumstances with a 13-12 victory over Saracens.
With the clock well into the red at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, Tigers were awarded a penalty try following a rolling maul to snatch their first win at home against Sarries since 2016.
On a gloomy day in the East Midlands, it was always not going to be a game for the purists.
The sodden conditions set the stage for a battle between the two England international fly-halves.
Saracens’ excellent kicking game, marshalled by the returning Owen Farrell, caused the Tigers backline all sorts of problems in the first half.
Poor discipline allowed the British and Irish Lion to kick nine points from the tee, while Steve Borthwick’s side saw limited opportunities, with their only reply coming from the boot of George Ford on the stroke of halftime.
Saracens restored their nine-point lead when Farrell landed a fourth successful penalty but, from there, the tide turned as Ellis Genge, Jack van Poortvliet and Freddie Steward entered the fray.
Steward solidified the back-field and helped Tigers get a grip on the kicking battle that they were losing in the first half.
But while Leicester had plenty of time in the Saracens 22, they failed to convert on their possession and territory.
It wasn’t until the 75th minute that Tigers got their first points of the second half, again through the boot of Ford.
Then came the incredible series of events. It started with a turnover won by Hanro Liebenberg on Tigers’ own 22-metre line.
From the resulting lineout, Saracens were forced to defend multiple phases and looked set to hold on to their precious lead till the end when Guy Porter was tackled into touch - only for Leicester to be given a lifeline when the TMO gave a penalty against Aled Davies for diving off his feet.
This led to Tigers having a five-metre lineout. The responsibilities fell to new loan signing Tom Cowan-Dickie and Harry Wells to create a solid foundation, and the resultant maul contained pretty much the whole Tigers side as it pushed its way close to the line.
There was a moment of uncertainty amongst the crowd, but the Tigers players erupted in celebration, signalling that the penalty try had been awarded.
Billy Vunipola was singled out as the guilty party for pulling down the maul, prompting pandemonium amongst the spectators inside Welford Road.