Tigers grind out a win in Swansea
MATCH REPORT: Leicester Tigers’ Champions Cup campaign began with a battling 23-17 win against Ospreys in Swansea on Sunday.
Anthony Watson’s stunning individual try was the standout moment for Leicester, with Harry Potter also crossing while Charlie Atkinson’s 13 points from the tee were a crucial contribution.
Ospreys were worthy opponents and made life difficult for the visitors, crossing through Nicky Smith and Morgan Morris as they picked up a losing bonus point.
There was little try-line action for the majority of a largely uneventful first half, Ospreys flyhalf Jack Walsh exchanging penalties with Leicester counterpart Atkinson as the teams struggled to build meaningful phases.
Leicester’s best foray into the Ospreys half was halted by an excellent turnover from the Welsh region’s scrumhalf Rhys Webb, but the visitors looked set to take a 6-3 lead into the break.
However, Ospreys were in control at scrum time, and when the Leicester pack crumbled five metres out on 37 minutes, visiting prop Joe Heyes was sent to the sin bin.
And Ospreys took full advantage, powering over the line through prop Smith as they ended the half on a high, Walsh’s conversion putting them four points up.
Leicester raised their game after the break, though, putting Ospreys under pressure while still down to 14 men before grabbing their first try of the game when back to their full complement on 51 minutes.
After an Ospreys offside gifted Leicester possession, wing Potter gathered Atkinson’s cross-field kick and raced over in the corner.
The highlight of the game came on the hour mark as full-back Watson produced a moment of magic to extend Leicester’s lead – the England international scooped up a loose ball in midfield before unleashing a devastating step and turn of pace, handing off the covering defender and diving under the posts.
Ospreys continued to plug away and were rewarded for a series of powerful carries when No.8 Morris forced his way over on 74 minutes, Walsh adding to extras to see the gap reduced to three points.
But Leicester recovered possession from the restart and Atkinson’s third penalty of the evening wrapped up victory for the travelling side despite a spirited late effort from the Ospreys.
Ospreys face a trip to France to face Montpellier Hérault Rugby in Round 2 on Saturday, while Leicester are at home to ASM Clermont Auvergne on the same day.
The scorers
For Ospreys
Tries: Smith, Morris
Cons: Walsh 2
Pen: Walsh
Leicester Tigers
Tries: Potter, Watson
Cons: Atkinson 2
Pens: Atkinson 3
Yellow card: Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 37)
Teams:
Ospreys: 15 Max Nagy, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 George North, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Keelan Giles, 10 Jack Walsh, 9 Rhys Webb, 8 Morgan Morris, 7 Justin Tipuric (captain), 6 Jac Morgan, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Adam Beard, 3 Tom Francis, 2 Scott Baldwin, 1 Nicky Smith.
Replacements: 16 Sam Parry, 17 Gareth Thomas, 18 Tom Botha, 19 Huw Sutton, 20 Rhys Davies, 21 Reuben Morgan-Williams, 22 Owen Williams, 23 Mike Collins.
Leicester Tigers: 15 Anthony Watson, 14 Harry Potter, 13 Guy Porter, 12 Dan Kelly, 11 Hosea Saumaki, 10 Charlie Atkinson, 9 Jack van Poortvliet, 8 Olly Cracknell, 7 Hanro Liebenberg (captain), 6 George Martin, 5 Ollie Chessum, 4 Harry Wells, 3 Joe Heyes, 2 Charlie Clare, 1 James Whitcombe.
Replacements: 16 Gabriel Oghre, 17 Nephi Leatigaga, 18 Will Hurd, 19 Eli Snyman, 20 Sean Jansen, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Jimmy Gopperth, 23 Matt Scott.
Referee: Ludovic Cayre (France)
Assistant referees: Jonathan Gasnier (France), Pierre-Baptiste Nuchy (France)
TMO: Eric Briquet-Campin (France)
Source: @ChampionsCup
