Leicester Tigers left it all on the field in a tough loss to an excellent Saracens side.

Reduced to 14 players following an early red card, Leicester nevertheless dug in for a battling loss against the Londoners.

An early couple of errors hand Saracens an opportunity to attack from the set piece and they take it with both hands; prop Kelsey Clifford touching down after only a handful of phases from the visitors.

A moment later and they have a second. 7s star Fancy Bermudez makes a dynamite break down the wing and offloads inside to fullback Lotte Sharp who runs it home to score.

The visitors continue to pry and Sydney Gregson almost goes clear but she’s covered well by wing Emily Henrich and Claire Gallagher gets over the ball to win a turnover.

However, the ball is lost and the visitors come again, battering at the line as the forwards work hard to repel the onrushing bodies, a barrage of tip ons and hard lines. Eventually, Saracens win a penalty which they take quick and score their third, Canadian flanker Gabrielle Senft driving over.

Tigers enjoy their first real spell of possession here, Tess Feury, Claire Gallagher and Sophie Benavent driving in but eventually a rapid press sees England captain Marlie Packer rip the ball back and set up an opportunity to attack  but Tigers defend well.

Their momentum is halted however, following a red card to No. 8 Tahlia Brody. After Natasha Jones clears the lines, Packer looks to carry in but offloads, with Brody adjudicated to have tackled high and is duly sent off. From here, Saracens capitalize for a bonus point score, kicking to touch and hooker May Campbell splashing down at the back of the subsequent maul.

Leicester, however respond strongly; a big hit from kick off allows for a scrum where a penalty is won before; although Saracens claim it back, Julia Omokhuale throws herself in front of the clearance and it ricochets into touch. A potentially dangerous line out is executed perfectly though by the in form visitors and they clear their lines again, where Claire Gallagher’s reply is carried by the wind out the back of the field.

Tigers have finally got their teeth stuck into the match and the physicality is relentless, both sides carrying in hard forcing each other into errors, a highlight a superb wrap tackle from Emily Henrich, bowling opposite wing Bermudez into touch.

The half ends with Tigers well in the game but with a difficult defecit to make up in the second period.

Half time score: Leicester Tigers 0 – 26 Saracens

 Eva Donaldson receives from kick off and Tigers show great endeavor to make their way upfield to the Saracens 22. Katie Childs, Omokhuale, Gallagher all make metres over the gainline but the ball is lost right as Leicester enter the danger zone.

Saracens respond fiercely, clearing their lines deep and winning the ball back. From the set piece, Gregson makes metres before the ball is shipped wide. It’s defended well but the successive phases are pulled back for a penalty. From here, a crafted move from the tap sees the ball out the back, again to Gregson and the Red Rose centre goes over for the first score of the second half.

Leicester look to get a score on the board and a strong scrum sees Jones poke a ball over the top, the fly half and Claire Gallagher making the tackle and holding up the catcher, winning a penalty in the Saracens 22. The visitors press is relentless though, utilizing their player advantage and flying up in the tackle, driving Tigers back and winning possession.

Following this, the set piece is executed perfectly and a tip on sees Gregson steam through for her second try of the match.

A few minutes later and Leicester get their first score of the match. Evie Wills has a strong carry through midfield before a stab through in the wide channel sees Omokhuale drive the unfortunate receiver into the floor. As Saracens scramble to clear, Omokhuale again dives in front, the ball this time ricocheting to the feet of Leah Bartlett who picks up and drives over for the hosts first score of the game.

A moment later, Tigers come again and look to put Saracens under pressure in their own 22; the visitors respond with aplomb however, an absolutely mammoth 50. 22 (that was essentially a 22.22) gifting the visitors a great opportunity. But Tigers play spoiler, forcing a knock on and winning a scrum penalty.

Both sides now trade possession, Leicester building play into the opposition half before yet another 50.22 gets the visitors right back into the danger zone. Tigers, having played almost 50 minutes at this stage a player down, continue to give their all in defence and win a turnover here to great applause from the supporters.   

Play stays in the Leicester half for the remaining 10 minutes as both sides throw the kitchen sink looking for a final score. However, neither can find the try line and the final whistle is blown.

Full time score: Leicester Tigers 05 – 38 Saracens