Saracens through to LV=Cup semi-finals

Saracens suffered a tight 23-22 defeat to Newport-Gwent Dragons in their LV=Cup match on Sunday, but earned a losing bonus to put them on top of Pool One and gain them a place in the semi-finals.

Glen Jackson stuck Sarries ahead with a pair of penalties in the first 10 minutes of play but the Dragons came back to go a point ahead after Will Harries scored a try which Jason Tovey converted.

Jackson and Tovey then sent over another penalty each before the former kicked his fourth to put the hosts ahead in the 28th minute but Tovey slotted his second on the stroke of half time to give Newport-Gwent a 13-12 lead at the break.

Eight minutes into the second half the visitors extended their lead with another Harries try that Tovey made no mistake in converting.

Saracens made sure the large lead was short lived when Derick Hougaard slotted a drop goal before a Chris Wyles try and a Hougaard conversion put them two points ahead on 22.

But Tovey was having none of it as he responded with a drop goal of his own in the 60th minute to again give the Dragons a single-point advantage, which they held onto to claim the win.