Leeds left in the lurch by defeat

Tykes stare relegation in the face after losing to Saracens

Leeds Tykes' hopes of playing Premiership rugby next season were left hanging by a thread after they lost 13-17 to Saracens at Headingley on Friday.

The Tykes now lie 10 points behind nearest rivals Bath at the foot of the Guinness Premiership table with three games remaining, and need a miracle if they are to repeat last season's remarkable escape act.

Saracens, on the other hand, can now look forward to the rest of the season safe in the knowledge they have staved off the threat of relegation for another year.

Reinvigorated by the arrival of former Australian coach Eddie Jones as a coaching consultant at Vicarage Road, Saracens have won all three games since he arrived.

The visitors were good value for the win with fly-half Glen Jackson contributing 12 points through a try, two conversions and a penalty, while Mark Bartholomeusz also added a first-half try.

Iain Balshaw, making his first start since October, scored a late try for the Tykes, but it was too late to alter the course of the game.

Sarries should have have taken the lead as early as the eighth minute when centre Ben Johnson sliced through the Leeds defence before passing a fraction too early to Dan Scarbrough, allowing Balshaw the opportunity to make a magnificent try-saving tackle in the corner.

Leeds took heart from Balshaw's lead and with Justin Marshall buzzing around at the breakdowns they looked a constant threat, without being able to deliver the final pass.

It was Saracens who took the lead courtesy of a 24th-minute Jackson penalty.

The Tykes hit back with a scintillating score from 21-year-old winger Tom Biggs who took advantage of some sloppy work by Sarries at the restart to collect the ball and sprint 70 metres for the try. Gordon Ross was unable to convert.

The visitors responded almost immediately, and a superb inside pass from Jackson sent full-back Bartholomeusz in under the posts. Jackson's conversion made it 10-5 to Saracens after 34 minutes.

Saracens should have gone further ahead just before the break but Taine Randell opted to hold onto the ball rather than take advantage of a glaring overlap.

Leeds made Sarries pay when Ross slotted a penalty on the stroke of half-time to make it 10-8 at the break.

Saracens' forwards became increasingly dominant in the early stages of the second half but Leeds defended stoutly, snubbing out another sharp break by Bartholomeusz in the 55th minute which could have led to a try.

The pressure eventually told as Jackson forced his way over from close range after a series of powerful surges from the Saracens forwards.

The New Zealander converted his own score to make it 17-8 with 22 minutes left to play.

Balshaw made for a grandstand finish when he went over for a well-worked try in the 71st minute.

Ross spotted some space and chipped across field for Andre Snyman who fed inside for the World Cup winner to out-sprint the defence and score.

Ross was unable to convert from wide out as the gap remained at four points and Sarries held on for the win.

The scorers:

For Leeds:
Tries: Biggs, Balshaw
Pen: Ross

For Saracens:
Tries: Bartholomeusz, Jackson
Cons: Jackson 2
Pen: Jackson

Leeds Tykes: 15 Iain Balshaw, 14 Andre Snyman, 13 Chris Bell, 12 Chris Jones, 11 Tom Biggs, 10 Gordon Ross, 9 Justin Marshall, 8 Nathan Thomas, 7 Dan Hyde, 6 Jon Dunbar, 5 Scott Morgan, 4 Stuart Hooper (c), 3 Rayno Gerber, 2 Gordon Bulloch, 1 Kees Lensing.
Replacement: 16 Mike Shelley, 17 Rob Rawlinson, 18 Chris Murphy, 19 Jordan Crane, 20 Mark McMillan, 21 Tom Palmer, 22 David Rees.

Saracens: 15 Mark Bartholomeusz, 14 Dan Scarbrough, 13 Ben Johnston, 12 Kevin Sorrell, 11 Tevita Vaikona, 10 Glen Jackson, 9 Kyran Bracken, 8 Hugh Vyvyan, 7 Taine Randell, 6 Kris Chesney, 5 Tom Ryder, 4 Simon Raiwalui, 3 Cobus Visagie, 2 Shane Byrne, 1 Kevin Yates. 
Replacements: 16 Matt Cairns, 17 Ben Broster, 18 Donald Barrell, 19 Nick Lloyd, 20 Mosese Rauluni, 21 Dan Harris, 22 Thomas Castaignède.

Referee: Tony Spreadbury
Touch judges: Robin Goodliffe, Don Helme
Assessor: Colin High
Coach: Clive Leeke
TMO/Timekeeper: A Turner