Saracens beat Leicester Tigers to increase Premiership lead

Saracens maintained their 100 per cent record in all competitions this season by overpowering Leicester Tigers to secure a 26-6 bonus-point victory that puts them six points clear at the top of the Premiership.

The Tigers were unable to contain the Sarries pack in front of a sold-out crowd of 10,000 at Allianz Park, where the hosts became the first side to be awarded three penalty tries in a Premiership encounter.

Mark McCall's side have now won their last 12 games in all competitions - eight out of eight in the Premiership this season - and will take some stopping as they attempt to retain their title, while Leicester stay third following their first defeat in eight matches.

A Freddie Burns penalty gave the Tigers an early lead, but Sarries moved ahead when referee Greg Garner awarded the first penalty try after a driving maul was brought down just short of the line and Charlie Hodgson converted.

Burns made it 7-6 at half-time from the tee, but Jamie George went over just after the break following another powerful Sarries drive and Hodgson duly added the extras.

The champions were then awarded a further two penalty tries to strengthen their grip on the game and Dan Cole was shown a yellow card in his 100th top-flight appearance after coming off the bench as the Tigers had no answer to rampant Sarries.

Newcastle Falcons ended their wait for a first Premiership win of the season by seeing off Bath 19-14 to move off the bottom of the table.

The struggling Falcons had not beaten last year's runners-up Bath at Kingston Park since 2003, but two late penalties from 20-year-old fly-half Craig Willis ensured they moved about London Irish.

A Rob Vickers try and eight points from the boot of Willis put the Falcons 13-8 up at half-time after Guy Mercer's early touchdown put Mike Ford's men in front.

Rhys Priestland took his tally from the tee to nine points after the break, but Willis slotted over a further six points to seal a surprise win.

Danny Cipriani inspired Sale Sharks to a 15-9 win over Wasps at the AJ Bell Stadium which moved them about Dai Young's side in the table.

Cipriani was successful with four penalties and also added a late drop-goal to give Sale only their third Premiership win of the season.

Gloucester fought back from 14-6 down at half-time to beat London Irish 27-14 at Kingsholm.