Report | Tigers defense propels Falcons to a bonus-point victory
In the eighth round of the Gallagher Premiership, the Leicester Tigers defeated the Newcastle Falcons 47-3 at Mattioli Woods Welford Road in Leicester.
Dan McKellar’s Tigers team won by bonus points thanks to three tries scored by the backrow. Leicester’s defense earned most of the credit for the first time in their league campaign as they did not give up a try.
Newcastle got off to a strong start, trapping Leicester inside their own half. Although the Tigers’ defense was excellent, Leicester’s infraction in front of the posts allowed the Falcons to score three goals after the team had given up several penalties out wide.
The tigers would react quickly. Falcons tried to clear their lines, but they did not back down quickly enough. Referee Sara Cox sent the visitors marching ten more meters before Handré Pollard sent Leicester into the corner.
Tommy Reffell, a backrow player from Wales, was the one who benefited from the maul’s effectiveness as he scored the game’s opening try. With easy grace, Pollard converted to make it 7-3.
Even though Tigers scored off a lineout once more, with center Matt Scott setting up a beautiful play to score in front of the Mattioli Woods stand, Newcastle may have had the better of the running in the ensuing stretch of play.
Pollard did not make a mistake, and the Tigers appeared hungry for more. After forcing their fifth turnover at the breakdown in less than 35 minutes, Leicester was able to regain Falcons territory. Reffell scored his second try of the game with deft handling in a narrow channel.
With Pollard unable to locate the mark, the score is now 19-3.
Last time out, Tigers needed to play the full 80 minutes to secure a bonus point against Gloucester. It would take more than 40 minutes for Tigers to score their fourth try of the match, which came from Jasper Wiese, making the score 26-3 at the half.
As the teams returned, it began to rain at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, with the Tigers appearing resolute in their physical pursuit of eliminating the Falcons. Following a rolling maul that was particularly strong that day, Reffell finished with a hat-trick, and Pollard’s conversion made the score 33-3.
The job of Pollard, Youngs, and company was done, but the Tigers kept defending their line for the same reason they had in the first minute.
Although the Falcons frequently had scoring opportunities, Leicester’s defense held strong. Leicester scored forty points with such clinical precision, and Ollie Hassell-Collins added another try to his already impressive total.
With a crisp conversion attempt out wide by Jamie Shillcock, Tigers completed with a burst from fullback Mike Brown. At Mattioli Woods Welford Road, the final score was 47-3.
The Tigers are eager to begin their Investec Champions Cup campaign at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Sunday at 3 p.m. against the SHL Stormers.
About The Author
Leave a Reply