Tryless Tigers win at Welford Road

Leicester secured a 15-6 win over Newcastle in their first match in front of the new Caterpillar Stand at Welford Road but both side’s inability to score tries continued to plague them on Saturday night.

The two teams kickers, Jeremy Staunton and Rob Miller (a late replacement for Jimmy Gopperth), were the only points scorers on the night despite both sides showing some great attacking intent.

The atmosphere inside Welford Road was simply electric as the players walked out on to the pitch before the match. Packed to the rafters, the new Caterpillar Stand waited patiently as the two teams prepared themselves for the kickoff – rising to their feet to cheer as Staunton got the game underway.

It didn’t take long for the home side to get on the board. A powerful burst from centre Anthony Allen put Leicester on the front foot and forced Newcastle to concede the penalty. Predictably Staunton made no mistake.

Almost immediately though Newcastle struck back. Miller slotted his first chance of the match comfortably – levelling the scores with just 6 minutes gone.

Despite conceding first, Newcastle enjoyed the better of the opening 15 minutes. Their pack, led by captain Carl Hayman, were certainly taking the fight to the Tigers and giving the likes of Rob Vickerman plenty of opportunities to test Leicester’s resolve.

That pressure though failed to turn into points and it was the home side who added to their tally next – a second Staunton penalty with 22 minute gone.

Those three points seemed to spark the Tigers into life. Quickening the pace, Leicester quickly won another penalty and extended their lead once again.

Both teams seemed eager to attack but simple errors and determined defences meant neither side was able to strike a killer blow.

Looking to inspire his team forward, Geordan Murphy started to come more and more into the game. Running that ball back whenever the opportunity allowed, the Irishmen almost created the first try of the match with 35 minutes gone. Only some clever defensive work from Gcobani Bobo prevented it.

Staunton added one more penalty to the Tigers tally on the stroke of half time but once again it was 40 minutes of rugby without a try.

Half time, unfortunately for the Falcons, saw the exit of Hayman. The All Black prop suffered a hamstring strain and, along with hooker Rob Vickers, was replaced at the break.

Leicester dominated the early parts of the first half, coming extremely close to scoring in the corner, but again could find no way through the Falcons defence.

This time it was their sloppiness which was punished. Miller slotted his second penalty to close the gap to six points.

Finally it seemed as if the Tigers had scored but even then it was denied. Regular try poacher Tom Croft picked up a lose ball, after some great attacking runs from the Leicester backline, and dotted. Unfortunately for him, with the ball having bounced off the match official just before landing in his hands, they were bought back for a scrum five metres out.

By this time the Tigers were relentless. Staunton was the next to be denied – spilling the ball in contact over the line.

Tries, it seemed, were just not on the menu for Leicester, Another Staunton penalty, on the hour, restored the nine point lead. With the home pack starting to use the maul to good effect, the Falcons were simply being starved of possession and forced to defend continuously.

Inevitably, as you knew it would, the tide turned. Newcastle, with Bobo and Biggs becoming more prominent and dangerous with ball in hand, had chances of their own to strike. It just wasn’t meant to be.

With time running out, and his team nine points clear, Murphy made the surprise choice of opting for an attacking scrum rather than instructing Staunton to go for, what would have been, a certain three points.

Clearly determined to welcome the arrival of the Caterpillar stand with a try, Leicester threw the ball around, desperately trying to break their try-scoring duck.

Newcastle had battle bravely, possibly deserving a bonus point, but neither side had been able to produce the attacking flair required to score a five pointer and the final whistle sounded with the score still set at 15-6 in favour of the hosts.

A win, an ‘old-style’ Leicester win, will please the 24 000 Tigers fans in attendance but the performance will no doubt have raised some concerns for Richard Cockerill and his fellow coaches.

For the Falcons, the performance of stand-in flyhalf Rob Miller will be very pleasing but the loss of Hayman will certainly add to their frustrations.

The Scorers

For Leicester

Pen: Staunton 5

For Newcastle

Pen: Miller 2

The teams:

Leicester: 15 Geordan Murphy (captain), 14 Johne Murphy, 13 Matt Smith, 12 Anthony Allen, 11 Scott Hamilton, 10 Jeremy Staunton, 9 Harry Ellis, 8 Brett Deacon, 7 Craig Newby, 6 Tom Croft, 5 Ben Kay, 4 Louis Deacon, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Mefin Davies, 1 Marcos Ayerza.
Replacements: 16 Joe Duffey, 17 Julian White, 18 Robbie Harris, 19 Geoff Parling, 20 Ben Pienaar, 21 Ben Youngs, 22 Aaron Mauger, 23 Lucas Amorosino.

Newcastle: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Gcobani Bobo, 13 Rob Vickerman, 12 Tane Tu’ipulotu, 11 Tom Biggs, 10 Rob Miller, 9 Hall Charlton, 8 Filipo Levi, 7 Ed Williamson, 6 Brent Wilson, 5 Mark Sorenson, 4 James Hudson, 3 Carl Hayman (captain), 2 Rob Vickers, 1 Jon Golding.
Replacements: 16 Matt Thompson, 17 Micky Ward, 18 Laurence Ovens, 19 Tim Swinson, 20 Adam Balding, 21 Chris Pilgrim, 22 Unknown, 23 Charlie Amesbury.

Referee: Andrew Small (37th Premiership game)
Assistant referees: Roy Maybank, Peter Huckle
TMO: Brian Abrahams, Graham Hughes