Leeds (3) 19
Try: Blackett Con: Ford Pens: Ford 3 Drop: Ford

Saracens (9) 12
Pens: Hougaard 2 Drops: Hougaard 2

19-year-old Ford slots over a drop-goal to seal Leeds's win

Leeds beat former leaders Saracens to earn their third consecutive win and move off the bottom of the Premiership.

Derick Hougaard fired over two drop-goals and a penalty to give Sarries a 9-3 lead at half-time.

Replacement fly-half Joe Ford landed his second penalty for Leeds before another from Hougaard made it 12-6.

Ford's third reduced the gap before wing Lee Blackett crossed on the hour to put Leeds ahead, Ford converting and landing a late drop-goal to seal it.

Victory lifts Leeds four points clear of Sale, who lost at home to Northampton, and two points above Worcester, who lost at Harlequins on Saturday.

Leeds director of rugby Andy Key:
"What we've always known is that this side had the ability to win and win well.

"And I think the last four weeks has really demonstrated now, to ourselves as well, how you have to play and the consistency you have to provide and the intensity you have to play at to make sure you come away with a win.

"We've learned some heavy lessons along the way, but all that hard work is starting to bear fruit."

Saracens director of rugby Brendan Venter:
"We'd got in behind Leeds a couple of times. They'd run the ball in the first half and we'd smashed them and there was nothing on for them.

"I never even thought remotely in the first half we were not going to win that game.

"In the last 20 minutes Leeds looked so much better than us and that's when we start playing like individuals, and that's the issue, that's the dilemma I'm faced with.".

Leeds: Hinton, Fa'afili, Rabeni, Barrow, Blackett, Thomas, Mathie, MacDonald, Titterrell, Gomez, Lund, Wentzel, Myall, Fourie, Oakley.

Replacements: Hepworth for Barrow (57), Ford for Thomas (23), Swainston for Gomez (54), Clark for Myall (53), To'oala for Oakley (54).

Not Used: Ma'asi, Hardy, Bedford.

Sin Bin: Titterrell (63).

Saracens: Goode, Penney, Ratuvou, Barritt, Wyles, Hougaard, de Kock, Aguero, Brits, Skuse, Smith, Ryder, van Heerden, Burger, Melck.

Replacements: Tagicakibau for Penney (56), Powell for Ratuvou (78), Gill for Aguero (52), Reynecke for Brits (78), Botha for Ryder (52), Joubert for Melck (52).

Not Used: Mercey, Marshall.

Sin Bin: Brits (63).

Att: 4,031

Ref: Dean Richards (RFU).

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