Sarries return to summit

Saracens returned to the top of the Guinness Premiership with a 21-15 win over Leeds Carnegie - their sixth consecutive victory.

Fiji centre Kameli Ratuvou scored tries either side of half-time in a scrappy game punctuated by 27 penalties from fussy official David Rose.

Leeds replied with four penalties and a drop-goal from fly-half Ceiron Thomas, but rarely threatened the Saracens line.

Jackson booted Sarries ahead from a penalty 25 yards out after Leeds were adjudged offside, six minutes into the game and Thomas equalised with a fine kick from wide out on the left after 17 miutes for a scrum infringement.

Within three minutes, Saracens targeted wing Lee Blackett for the second time and he again blundered, presenting Jackson with the opportunity to restore his team's three-point lead, only for Thomas to level matters again with a goal in the 25th minute.

Saracens finally broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time. Schalk Brits broke through the middle, and when Jackson passed left to Ratuvou he dummied to pass on to Chris Wyles before smashing through Richard Welding's tackle to score.

Leeds reduced the deficit to two points when Thomas kicked his third successful penalty two minutes after the break only for Saracens to score their second try off a twice-taken penalty.

Referee Rose decided Leeds were not 10 yards back when Jackson made his first tap and go, and when Saracens won the resultant lineout, three passes armed Ratuvou to crash through the defence on the left of the posts, Jackson converting.

Another Thomas penalty kept Leeds in touch, but his first miss, on the hour, was a lost opportunity to reward a period of pressure on their hosts.