Tigers leave it late
CHALLENGE CUP WRAP: Three tries in the final 20 minutes helped Leicester to a bonus-point win over Brive in their opening match of the campaign.
A cagey start saw the teams tied at six points apiece before Tom Youngs crossed for the first try in the 32nd minute.
Tigers led 14-6 at the break and it remained tight until Ben Youngs scored the second try in the 64th minute. Wesley Douglas closed the gap with the French side’s first try but late scores from Cyle Brink and Nemani Nadolo finished off a 39-17 victory.
Cardiff flyhalf Jarrod Evans kicked 16 points in their 33-20 win against Newcastle.
Falcons were ahead at half-time thanks to converted tries from George Wacokecoke and Sam Stuart.
But the lead was narrow and a Teddy Williams score in the 48th minute saw it change hands. The visitors were never behind after that and a penalty try late on ended all hopes of a Newcastle comeback.
Benetton secured a first win over Stade Francais with a convincing 44-20 victory at the Stade Jean Bouin.
The Italians ran in seven tries, three of which came in a 10-minute period during the first half from Dewaldt Duvenage, Leonardo Sarto and Jayden Hayward that set the tone.
It was 25-8 at half-time, and both teams were then reduced to 14 men at the start of the second half when Stade Francais flanker Charlie Rorke and Benetton wing Sarto were shown red cards following an altercation.
Tommy Allan crossed for Benetton and then converted his own score to extend the lead to 32-8 and, although the French outfit closed the gap, a comeback was never on the cards.
Friday Challenge Cup scores and scorers
Leicester Tigers 39-17 Brive
The Scorers
For Leicester Tigers
Tries: T Youngs, B Youngs, Brink, Nadolo
Cons: Ford 2
Pens: Bonilla 3, Ford 2
For Brive
Try: Douglas
Pens: Herve 4
Newcastle Falcons 20-33 Cardiff Blues
The scorers
For Newcastle Falcons
Tries: Wacokecoke, Stuart
Cons: Hodgson 2
Pens: Hodgson 2
For Cardiff Blues
Tries: Amos, T Williams, Penalty try
Cons: J Evans 2, penalty try does not requiore a conversion
Pens: J Evans 4
Stade Francais Paris 20-44 Benetton
The scorers
For Stade Francais Paris
Tries: Francoz, Panis, Lapegue
Con: Hall
Pen: Coville
For Benetton
Tries: Halafihi, Duvenage, Allan, Sarto, Hayward, Ruzza, Sgarbi
Cons: Allan 3
Pen: Allan
Yellow card: Waisea Vuidarvuwalu (Stade Francais, 17)
Red cards: Charlie Rorke (Stade Francais, 43), Leonardo Sarto (Benetton, 43)
Source: RugbyPass
