Tigers power secures victory
Ultimately beating their opposition into submission, Leicester’s pack of forwards layed the foundation for Saturday’s important 29-15 Guinness Premiership victory at Welford Road over the Northampton Saints.
As expected, the encounter was a tight one for most of the match but, in the end, the home side deserved their victory.
Both teams had been revamped after injuries and International call-ups had taken their toll but there was no letting up from either side on Saturday night.
Stephen Myler, restored to the flyhalf berth in the absence of Shane Geragthy, almost put his side into an early lead with a well struck drop goal attempt but, after consulting the TMO, it was ruled to have just gone wide.
There was plenty of kicking early on but neither side was really dominating the battle. Then, after a poor Staunton kick, Reihana launched the counter. Quick thinking from Myler set Chris Ashton free on the right and, after some good footwork, he fed the ball inside to second row Christian day to finish.
A couple successful penalties from Staunton got the Tigers to within a single points of the visitors but it was an error from Myler which helped put the Tigers into the lead. Making a half break, the Saints No.10 threw a blind pass to nobody. England centre Anthony Allen picked up the loose ball and fed it to Amorosino.
The Argentine showed impressive pace to go the length of the field to score despite the best efforts of the Northampton cover.
Full of confidence the Tigers pack started to dominate the match. Northampton, missing a number of their first-choice front five, including Euan Murray and Dylan Hartley, buckled under pressure and gave Staunton another chance from the kicking tee – helping Leicester into a 16-7 lead.
Just before the break Staunton added another three points thanks to his packs pressure, seemingly ensuring his side went into the break very much in control.
There was still time though for Reihana and Ashton to strike. Almost out of nothing, the New Zealander beat two men before feeding his wing in space. One-on-one with Hamilton, the flyer left his opponent for dead and cruised into the corner. Half time score 19-12.
The home side started well in the second period with their pack again showing their dominance and forcing the Saints backwards at every set scrum.
A couple of injury break slowed the games pace somewhat but both teams were still full of energy and passion – resulting in more than a couple of off the ball scuffles.
Fifteen minutes into the second period Staunton took his tally up to 17 points but Myler quickly responded with a penalty of his own, bringing the gap back down to just seven points.
A sniping break from prop forward Soane Tonga’uiha almost created a try for scrumhalf Lee Dickson minutes later but the scrumhalf was just edged into touch in the corner.
With 20 minutes left Northampton were camping on the Saints line and looking for the vital score which would really take the game into a dramatic finish.
In introduction of young scrumhalf Ben Youngs for the Tigers seemed to give the hosts some renewed attacking prowess, helping them to gain more control of the territory and possession as the game entered it’s final stages.
With just five minutes left on the clock centre Anthony Allen secured the win with an interception try. Attacking from a lineout, replacement flyhalf Barry Everitt lofted a long pass to his midfield but it was Allen who responded first, picking the pass and running in the try from 40 metres out.
An average start to the season, thanks largely to injury worries, has seen the Tigers under increasing pressure but Saturday’s win, over one of the form teams in the Premiership, clearly meant a lot to the players and the 24,000 fans in Welford Road.
The Scorers
For Leicester Tigers
Tries: Amorosino, Allen
Pens: Staunton 5
Con: Staunton 2
For Northampton Saints
Tries: Day, Ashton
Pens: Myler
Con: Myler
The teams:
Leicester Tigers: 15 Scott Hamilton, 14 Lucas Amorosino, 13 Anthony Allen, 12 Aaron Mauger (captain), 11 Johne Murphy, 10 Jeremy Staunton, 9 James Grindal, 8 Brett Deacon, 7 Ben Pienaar, 6 Geoff Parling, 5 Ben Kay, 4 Richard Blaze, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Mefin Davies, 1 Marcos Ayerza.
Replacements: 16 Tom Youngs, 17 Dan Cole, 18 Boris Stankovich, 19 Calum Green, 20 Dan Hemingway, 21 Ben Youngs, 22 Andy Forsyth, 23 Will Hurrell.
Northampton Saints: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Jon Clarke, 12 James Downey, 11 Bruce Reihana, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Neil Best, 6 Phil Dowson (captain), 5 Christian Day, 4 James Cannon, 3 Soane Tonga’uiha, 2 Brett Sharman, 1 Regardt Dreyer.
Replacements: 16 Joe Gray, 17 Alex Waller, 18 Jon Vickers, 19 Mark Easter, 20 Scott Gray, 21 Alan Dickens, 22 Barry Everitt, 23 Joe Ansbro.
Referee: Dave Pearson
