Sexton inspires Leinster win

Saracens suffered a home Heineken Cup defeat on Saturday evening as Leinster edged their Pool Two contest 25-23 at Wembley Stadium.

All of the visitors' points were scored by fly-half Jonathan Sexton, who kicked six penalties as well as scoring a converted second-half try.

Alex Goode had earlier scored for Sarries and the full-back later matched Sexton with the boot after taking over kicking duties from the injured Derick Hougaard.

However, in a match dominated by defensive play - the visitors proving better organised in that regard - a penalty count in favour of Leinster proved crucial.

The 2009 champions made full use of their experience to edge the match - Leinster moving four points clear in the pool as a result, while Saracens' hopes already hang by a thread following their earlier loss to Clermont Auvergne.

Fortune

It was the visitors who made the stronger start and they put together eight phases of play, albeit without reward, from the kick-off.

Leinster waited seven minutes for their first points, courtesy of a Sexton penalty that hit the crossbar before bouncing favourably.

Saracens did not benefit from such good fortune two minutes later when Hougaard's effort hit the outside of the left-hand post. However, the number 10 soon found the left touchline well with another penalty.

The decision to go for the corner proved correct as play was spread right before, faced with two Leinster defenders, Goode sold a dummy to cross in the 12th minute.

Hougaard missed the conversion but soon added another three points. Saracens were therefore one try to the good, with Leinster setting about their response by playing the possession game once more.

Eight phases were again put together before they crossed, although the video referee adjudged that Steve Borthwick had done enough to hold the ball up.

Leinster could not initially capitalise from the subsequent scrum - Sexton's drop goal attempt hitting the post. However, he subsequently kicked two penalties to put Leinster one point clear by the half hour.

Hougaard then missed a drop goal but kicked his side back ahead with a three-pointer in the 34th minute before Sexton responded with a superb effort from just inside Sarries' half.

Leinster thus found themselves 12-11 up at half time and held possession once more early in the second period, culminating in Sexton's 45th-minute penalty.

Hougaard departed on a stretcher soon after falling to the ground with what appeared to be an Achilles injury, while Luke Fitzgerald also limped off for Leinster.

Fergus McFadden replaced him at outside centre, with Goode taking over at fly-half for Sarries.

Nailbiting

The visitors then shifted up a gear: Isa Nacewa picking up the ball on the left flank and evading David Strettle's challenge before finding Gordon D'Arcy, who quickly off-loaded for Sexton to cross.

He also converted for 22-11, although Goode soon responded with a penalty and found the target once more just past the hour when Leinster's indiscipline resulted in a yellow card for Richardt Strauss.

Sexton kicked another penalty soon after, as did Goode as Saracens entered the final 10 minutes looking for the all-important second try.

Goode then kicked another penalty in the 75th minute to take the home side to within two points and set up a nailbiting climax.

Over 30 phases followed as Sarries sought at the very least to move Goode into penalty territory but as the clock ticked past 80 minutes, the Leinster defence held firm.