Leicester Tigers XV have defeated Georgia Black Lion 21-13 at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
A spirited display from a youthful Leicester side was enough to overcome Richard Cockerill’s Georgian side, which featured experienced talent from their international ranks.
Tigers started brightly, although it would be Georgia to score first, 5-0.
Leicester responded, building pressure which turned to points in the 13th minute with Finn Theobald-Thomas scoring off the back of a rolling drive.
Keiran Wilkinson converted from out-wide to make it 7-5.
In tough conditions, neither team could quite gain dominance, but the young Leicester side were giving as good as they got.
Despite the wet weather, Tigers played with plenty of endeavour, and produced a moment of pure team brilliance.
Breaking out of their half, Leicester played to width and in perfect view of the terrace, forwards and backs combined to put Jack Kinder into space, and the England U19 international finished superbly.
The try was matched by the conversion and Tigers took a 14-5 lead into half-time.
Black Lion took points just after the break, their energy flowing coming out of the changing rooms.
Tigers showed great defensive determination in the next 20 minutes, repeatedly repelling Black Lions’ attacks.
It took until the 65th minute for Leicester to get ball in Georgia’s half but when they did, they made it count, Theobald-Thomas crossing from the maul again.
Wilkinson nailed the extras to make it 21-8 with 15 to go.
That’s how it would stay, with Wilkinson being replaced by U18 Tom Threlfall in the closing minutes.
Commentary
FULL TIME AT MATTIOLI WOODS WELFORD ROAD
Leicester Tigers close out a well-fought win at home. A young side showed bucketfuls of grit underlined by a streak of flair to score three well-worked tries, all converted with aplomb.
Full time score: Leicester Tigers XV 21 - 13 Black Lion
80
CONVERSION MISSED | BLACK LION
The Georgians can't add the extras and the final whistle is blown.
TRY | BLACK LION
However, after a miscommunication at following scrum, the ball squeezes out and back into the Black Lion's possession.
This time they make no mistake, working their way into the corner and battering their way over with the clock in the red.
78
TIGERS DEFENCE HOLDS FIRM
One of the loudest roars of the game comes in it's dying embers. With Black Lion flying into contact, they make their way well into the Tigers half until they're barely ten metres out.
However, the side hold their ground and force a knock on, much to the delight of the Tigers fans.
SUBSTITUTION | LEICESTER TIGERS XV
Kieran Wilkinson leaves the field with a 100% kicking record in tact, replaced by Tom Threlfall, who makes his first senior appearance for the club.
SUBSTITUTION | LEICESTER TIGERS XV
Theobold-Thomas exits the field after a pair of tries, replaced by Archie Vanes.
CONVERSION | KIERAN WILKINSON
Another sublime effort from the fly half sees the ball sail over from the right hand side.
The 10 ( / J today) has no right to be kicking this well in such difficult conditions but he is making it look easy.
TRY | FINN THEOBOLD-THOMAS
..and again they convert the chance into points!
Once again, the rolling maul gets rumbling on the right touchline. Black Lion initially disrupt really well and drive Tigers back but the home side commit further bodies to the machine and turn the screw.
In an apat analogy for the half, momentum is suddenly flipped on it's head and hooker Theobold-Thomas flops down for his second of the match.
61
TIGERS BUILDING MOMENTUM
An attritional second half sees Tigers only just get well into their opponent's half, as fatigue and difficult weather kick in.
The ball is swept into midfield following a line out before a series of crash balls allows the side to earn a penalty just on the Georgian 22.
With the crowd firmly behind them, the side kick to touch.
SUBSTITUTION | LEICESTER TIGERS XV
The captain makes way as Finn Carnduff is replaced in the back row by Adam Hopkinson.
SUBSTITUTION | LEICESTER TIGERS XV
A switch in the front row sees James Whitcombe replaced by Cameron Miell.
52
TIGERS HOLD THE BALL UP SUPERBLY
Black Lion have been camped in Tigers territory for the majority of this second half and on the line for the last five minutes.
After earning a tap penalty, the Georgians pick and go from short range, smashing it up before Tigers bravery is rewarded by getting underneath a mass of bodies and holding the ball up.
The side kick to clear and, when Black Lion fumble the ball, gain possession back just inside their own half, a sustained period of pressure relieved.
SUBSTITUTION | LEICESTER TIGERS XV
A switch at scrum half sees Ollie Allen exit the field, replaced by Josh Goodwin.
PENALTY | BLACK LION
Luka Matkava makes no mistake this time from the tee, an early penalty slotted from just inside the Tigers 22.
SUBSTITUTION | LEICESTER TIGERS XV
A half time switch sees flanker Emeka Ilione leave the field. Wales Under-20s international (and former Under-18s captain) Harry Beddall is on in his place.
THE SECOND HALF IS UNDERWAY
Black Lion kick us off and the second 40 minutes gets underway.
HALF TIME
Keeping the ball tight, the side play out the remaining minutes before earning a penalty which is kicked up before being nudged to touch to end the half.
A robust first 40 minutes sees Tigers lead through two well taken tries from Finn Theobold-Thomas and Jack Kinder.
Half time score: Leicester Tigers XV 14 - 5 Black Lion
CONVERSION | KIERAN WILKINSON
Another touchine conversion from Wilkinson sees Tigers extend their lead to nine points.
TRY | JACK KINDER
What a try from the wing!
Tigers have an overlap, around nine players to seven, but so much to do as they're on the half way line.
However, they use the hands superbly, Theobald-Thomas firstly passing deep to Wilkinson who fits Whitcombe flat, the prop then taking two steps before whipping it out to Kinder.
Still barely in the Black Lion half, the flyer sprints past his marker, goes inside then out to go round another before finally having enough in the tank to ride the tackle from the covering player and sliding over to score.
32
PENALTY MISSED | BLACK LION
Star fly half Luka Matkava hits a monster kick from a good 40 metres out but the ball flies just wide of the post.
Certainly a sign of respect shown to this young Tigers side with the decision to take the points from that distance.
30
BACK & FORTH ACTION
Both sides are offloading freely now as possession trades hands in the middle of the park.
The highlight sees wing Jack Kinder do brilliantly to not only wrap his opposite number but rip the ball away in the process, Tigers winning a vital turnover just outside their own 22, the ball cleared long soon after.
25
WEATHER NOT PLAYING A FACTOR
The rain has bucketing down all evening but it's served as a credit both to the unending support of the Tigers Family who have braved conditions tonight to be here and to the skill of those on the field that there's been relatively few handling errors on display thus far.
Attacking rugby is the order of the day, with both sides opting for sharp offloads and devestating lines but neither quite able to convert into significant points.
18
THE KICKS ARE ALRIGHT
Kieran Wilkinson is enjoying a tremendous game thus far, mixing it up with all sorts of kicks.
His exceptional conversion goes alongside a couple of perfectly placed penalties which have allowed for attacking lineouts, the latest of which comes after a cheeky grubber through saw the Georgian side impede the fly half as he looked to collect the ball.
CONVERSION | KIERAN WILKINSON
A massive nudge from the fly half allows Tigers to take the lead, slotting with aplomb from the left hand touchline.
TRY | FINN THEOBOLD-THOMAS
..and they get their opening try!
A classic hooker's try for Theobold-Thomas with a vintage rolling maul driven over the line.
11
TIGERS LOOKING TO BITE BACK
Leicester have dominated possession since the opening try, a superb break from scrum half Ollie Allen the highlight, dragged down just inches from the line.
After the side clear their lines, Emeka Ilione, operating in the wide channels as a classic edge forward, gets Tigers well up the field and they force a penalty, kicked to touch just metres out.
8
CONVERSION MISSED | BLACK LION
A booming kick hits the upright as the visitors almost extend their lead.
TRY | BLACK LION
Akaki Tabutsadze gets the game's opening score, slick hands out the back of the set piece giving the wing a yard of space to sprint into and dive over in the corner.
SUBSTITUTION | LEICESTER TIGERS XV
An early substitution for the hosts sees wing Malekili Satala leave the field, replaced by Charlie Davies.
Satala goes off with a suspected HIA.
KICK OFF
Kieran Wilkinson gets us underway with a deep, lofted boot well into the Lions den.
-2
COUPLE OF MINUTES TO GO
The teams are out on the field, Smoke on the Water has just finished playing and we prepare for kick off.
-10
BACK TO THE FUTURE
There's a juxtaposing sense of the old and the new tonight in Leicester.
You may have noticed the use of the heritage badge for today's fixture as well as the welcome return of the letters adorning the back of the players shirts.
On the flip side, there's an inherent newness to today's opponents as it's the first time Leicester Tigers have ever faced Black Lion, or any team from Georgia for that matter.
Additionally, there's a youthful streak throughout today's lineup, with a streak of academy talent headlining today's fixture, a side skippered by England Under-20s captain Finn Carnduff who starts today at G (No.8).
-20
CATCH THE ACTION LIVE!
This match is FREE for all Season Ticket Holders and half-Season Ticket Holders to attend so if you're not here yet, get on down to Mattioli Woods Welford Road for some Friday Night Lights!
Unfortunately, tonight's match will not be televised so, for those looking to keep up to date, stick with us right here on Matchday Live for all the tries, tackles and stand out moments from tonight's fixture.
-30
30 MINUTES TILL KICK OFF!
There's just half an hour to go until a special exhibition match between a Leicester Tigers XV and Georgia's Black Lion.
This is the first time ever the two sides will play one another, as well as seeing Richard Cockerill, head coach of both Georgia and Black Lion, return to Mattioli Woods Welford Road for the first time since 2017.