Hall delivers decisive blow to Saracens

Leeds 27 Saracens 18

Leeds put some distance between themselves and the group chasing Gloucester at the top of the table to go second on their own, four points ahead of Leicester, with a tremendous second-half display, crowned by yet another goal-kicking masterclass from the Premiership's leading scorer, Braam van Straaten, and a match-winning try from Chris Hall which was fit to grace any game.

Even though the attendance of 5,015 was the second best of the season at Headingley, if the Leeds public will not turn out in greater numbers to see rugby of this quality from a team who have scored in eight games almost as many points as they garnered in the whole of their first Premiership campaign, it is difficult to know what will attract them.

Admittedly, Saracens contributed to their own downfall with some sloppy football, which drew the tersest of responses from their head coach, Wayne Shelford. "At half-time we had to show a lot of character to win it," he said, "but our skill level let us down."

Faced with a distinctly unpromising half-time deficit, for they had not looked anything like the Leeds who have stormed the established order this autumn, they had to call on every ounce of resolve and determination to avoid slipping to their first home defeat of the season.

You could not take your eye off the action for a moment, though if you were a Leeds supporter much of what went on during the first quarter was hardly easy on the eye. Leeds set off at a cracking pace, George Harder spinning out of several Saracens tackles to earn Leeds a penalty which Van Straaten converted. From there, however, the Tykes were chasing shadows for most of the next 30 minutes as Saracens took control.

Hall, the memory of his error-ridden performance at Bath still haunting him perhaps, lost the ball, Saracens moved it left for Darragh O'Mahony to take it on. Alan Dickens missed the tackle on Richard Hill, who raced into the corner. Hall could hardly believe his luck – though what recompense the winger was to gain.

For the moment, though, it was all Saracens. O'Mahony chipped into the right corner and all Thomas Castaignède had to do was gather Tim Horan's pass to grab a second try. But the full back – recalled to the France squad after a two-year break from international rugby – made a hash of things, so five points went begging.

At the next opportunity, Saracens embarrassed Leeds at a line-out for Christian Califano to bulldoze across for a try. Andy Goode converted and Leeds were reeling. Gordon Ross halted the slide – if only temporarily – skipping through what passed for the Saracens defence for a lovely try. Although Van Straaten converted, two more penalties from Goode restored Sarries' advantage, who turned round 18-10 ahead. It ought to have been a solid enough foundation, but somehow it all went downhill from there.

Three penalties from Van Straaten's boot put Leeds back into the lead with seven minutes to play. Castaignède lost possession from Goode's cross kick, Hall was on hand to scoop up the ball and race 80 metres to seal it. Ross finished Saracens off with a drop goal in injury time. Shelford was not pleased.

Leeds: Tries Ross, Hall; Conversion Van Straaten; Penalties Van Straaten 4; Drop goal Ross. Saracens: Tries Hill, Califano; Conversion Goode; Penalties Goode 2.

Leeds: D Scarbrough; G Harder, T Davies, B van Straaten (C Emmerson, 12-20), C Hall; G Ross, A Dickens (D Hegarty, 50); M Shelley (capt), M Regan, G Kerr, S Campbell (C Murphy, 60), T Palmer, C Mather, D Hyde, I Feaunati.

Saracens: T Castaignède; G Arasa (K Sorrell, 60), B Johnston, T Horan, D O'Mahony; Goode, K Bracken (capt); D Flatman (J Masters, 64), M Cairns, C Califano, A Benazzi (C Quinnell, 70), C Yandell, R Peacey (S Hooper, 66), R Hill, K Chesney.

Referee: D Pearson (Ashington, Northumberland).