Leicester Tigers recorded an eighth win of the Gallagher Premiership season with a 26-12 triumph over Newcastle Falcons at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Sunday.
The Tigers put 16 unanswered points on the board in the first half of the Round 15 contest, with a try from Hanro Liebenberg and the kicking of fly-half George Ford, who was making just his second Premiership appearance of the season.
Ford and England colleague Ellis Genge were pushed straight into the starting team after their return from the Six Nations, with new England cap George Martin among the Tigers replacements.
But the hosts struggled to build a platform for further scores in the second half, conceding a try and also two yellow cards in defence, before a forward drive provided the second try for Charlie Clare in the closing stages.
On a windy but dry afternoon, Tigers had enjoyed the majority of possession and field position in the first half, with Dan Kelly and Freddie Steward making early line-breaks.
Harry Potter, in his first start since Round 2, then made valuable ground in the centre of the pitch as play stayed in Falcons territory.
Steward felt the force of a pair of Falcons as he claimed a box-kick just inside his own half, but Ford immediately took play 50 metres back upfield with a diagonal kick to the left-hand corner to force the visitors to play out.
The visitors had to make a change in the front row after losing Jon Welsh to injury before Tigers made a breakthrough.
Jasper Wiese, back from suspension, carried strongly from the base of a scrum and, as ball was recycled, fellow back-rower Liebenberg carried to the line for his second try of the season. Ford’s conversion made it 7-0 on 15 minutes.
Newcastle made their first visit to the Tigers 22 from the restart and they almost produced an immediate response, only for Kelly to tackle Ben Stevenson into touch just as the visiting wing launched himself towards the corner.
Wiese and Genge then carried forcefully in attack to take Tigers towards the posts, but they were stopped by the whistle as Falcons skipper Mark Wilson got over the ball.
After Liebenberg charged down a box-kick on the edge of the Newcastle 22, Tigers lost ball at their own scrum but had a second chance as Falcons were penalised at a lineout and Ford added the kick for a 10-point lead.
Calum Green made a superb catch at the restart before Tait survived an error inside his own 22, dropping high ball backwards but recovering in time to clear.
Strong work from Tommy Reffell forced Falcons into an error as they entered the Tigers 22 before another uncompleted scrum led to words from the referee to the visitors.
The hosts got out of their own half with a big carry in midfield from Kelly which ended with a penalty award and another one quickly followed, this time for offside, allowing Ford to make it 13-0 just a couple of minutes short of half-time.
Potter then chased down the Falcons defence, charging down a kick and making a tackle before referee Dickson awarded a penalty which Ford pushed into the corner. But after setting up a maul, Tigers were whistled for offside and the chance had gone.
Wing Potter had gone too, for a head injury assessment, with Guy Porter taking his place and he was quickly into the game, fielding a clearing kick before Ford launched one of his own towering spirals which put Falcons back under pressure.
Referee Dickson yellow-carded Darren Barry at the breakdown as Tigers kept possession, with Ford bringing the half to a close with a penalty which made it 16-0.
Potter returned to the field for the start of the second half and, although Falcons kicked off one man down after Barry’s yellow card, they almost found a breakthrough as No8 Callum Chick raced through in the centre of the field before being taken down by Liebenberg.
Hodgson had to react quickly to a Tigers attack on the right and Chick was also in the action in defence as he dumped Wiese just as Tigers recycled 10 metres from the tryline.
Dan Cole and Tom Youngs made way on 50 minutes, with Joe Heyes and Charlie Clare joining Genge in the front row.
Wiese was shown a yellow card when the TMO brought the referee’s attention to foul play at a defensive ruck and retribution appeared instant as Falcons attacked the tryline through the forwards but prop Adam Brocklebank was denied as he attempted to dot down.
Penalties mounted up against Tigers defending their own line, with Martin sin-binned within moments of coming off the bench. But they resisted through phase after phase until finally Will Welch got the ball down, a try awarded after a lengthy check between referee and TMO.
Replacement fly-half Brett Connon added the conversion but an immediate penalty near halfway gave Tigers a chance to regroup and Ford took on the kick from just shy of halfway, landing it perfectly to make it 19-7.
Wiese returned from his yellow card and got straight back into the game with a big tackle but Tigers were being starved of possession and pinned in their own half until finally gaining position with a penalty.
They made it count too, with Ford booting play into the right-hand corner, Wiese attacking the line and then Ford putting Steward through to the right of the posts.
As Ford prepared for the conversion, the TMO identified foul play as a defender was played off the ball and Falcons were given the penalty.
The next whistle went to the home side and Ford went play down the right with just under five minutes left and it paid off with Cameron Henderson claiming lineout ball, the forwards gathering around to push towards the whitewash and Clare supplied the score. Ford converted to make it 26-7.
Newcastle added their second try straight from kick-off, getting into the 22 and then scrum-half Sam Stuart darting over from a tap for the game’s final points.
Commentary
FULL TIME | TIGERS 26-12 FALCONS
Tries from Liebenberg and Clare, alongside the boot of Geroge Ford gives Tigers the 26-12 victory over Newcastle Falcons in Round 15.
80
LATE CHANCES
Tigers win the penalty with time up on the clock.
Ford misses touch as Alex Tait collects, but a Newcastle knock on brings the game to an end.
STUART TAPS AND GOES
Falcons respond almost immediately with a try of their own, Sam Stuart with the quick tap and go.
Brett Connon unable to make the conversion as Tigers lead is cut to 26-12.
FORD CONVERTS
Fords adds the conversion, Tigers lead 26-7.
CLARE TRY FROM THE MAUL
Charlie Clare scores for Tigers in the final five minutes using the momentum of the maul.
77
TIGERS LINE OUT OPPORTUNITY
As play resumes Tigers earn a penalty at the breakdown, Ford once again kicks to touch.
Henderson collects as Tigers form the maul and reinforcements arrive. Clare with ball in hand...
73
TMO RULES NO TRY
Luan de Bruin is penalized for obstructing Callum Chick. The score remains 16-7 as Falcons restart with the penalty.
73
STEWARD RUNS IN THE TRY...TMO
Ford finds Freddie Steward in space who runs in the second try of the day for Tigers.
We have to wait for confirmation as TMO has a look at it...
73
TIGER CHANCE
A great kick into touch from George Ford provides Tigers with an opportunity from the line out.
Liebenerg wins the line out and gives Wiese the carry. JVP find Ford who find Freddie Steward in space...
72
ENTERING THE FINAL 10
The resulting scrum fed in by JVP sees Tigers forward pack earn a penalty.
George Ford clears as we are in the last 10 minutes of the game.
70
FALCONS UNABLE TO BREAK TIGERS
Not much creativity from Falcons sees Tigers able to hold strong.
A forward pass from the visiting side awards Tigers the scrum and a chance to release some pressure.
69
FALCONS LOOKS TO REDUCE THE DEFICIT
A brilliant kick sees Tigers have a line out deep in their own half, with Jasper Wiese now back on the pitch.
Tigers clear from the line out and Newcastle come forward going through the phases in and around the halfway line.
A sequence of possession play sees Liebenberg penalized allowing Connon to kick to touch.
TIGERS REPLACEMENTS
Jack van Poortvliet, the yellow carded George Martin, and Guy Porter have all entered the field now for Tigers.
FORD ADDS ANOTHER 3 FOR TIGERS
Ford extends Tigers lead with a penalty kick just in front of the halfway line providing them some breathing space.
63
TIGERS PENALTY FROM RESTART
Newcastle look to pressure 13-man Tigers from the restart, but Tigers hold strong and receive a penalty.
Chance for Ford to have a kick at the posts.
CONNON ADDS THE EXTRAS
Brett Connon converts from under the posts.
FALCONS GET OVER THE LINE
Try given as TMO awards the try for Newcastle's first try of the game.
62
TMO TIME
We go upstairs to TMO as they try to look for a clear grounding of a Newcastle try from Callum Chick.
TIGERS DOWN TO 13
Newcastle scramble to try and reach Tigers try line following another tap and go.
Another surge for the line sees Geroge Martin penalised after just coming on. We go back for another Falcons penalty
58
HERE COME THE FALCONS
Falcons look to come again, moving into Tigers 5m mark as they try to force the short yards.
Tigers continue to hold up Newcastle on the try line. Falcons appear to have the ball over the line but a TMO review disallows it.
Newcastle tap and go as they look to work the ball left, but Harry Potter tackles Stevenson into touch. We'll go back for a Newcastle penalty.
WIESE SEES YELLOW
Wiese is penalized for his clear out in the breakdown and is shown a yellow card, Tigers down to 14 for the next 10 minutes.
55
MORE PRESSURE FROM FALCONS
A forward pass by Moroni results in a scrum.
The resulting scrum earns Falcons a penalty as they look to up the pressure with a kick to touch. Newcastle form the lineout maul but Tigers hold them up.
Hodgson overcooks the chip ball over the top and Tigers can regroup from their 22,
51
TIGERS DEFENCE HOLDS STRONG
Tigers defensive line holds strong following the line out.
Steward collects under the high ball and kicks back into the Falcons half. Tigers are penalised for offside and give Newcastle the opportunity to find touch.
TIGERS REPLACEMENTS
Joe Heyes and Charlie Clare come on for Tom Youngs and Dan Cole in the front row.
50
Potter breaks down the right hand side and almost finds Steward with the kick through. However, Hodgson does well and is there to recover for the Falcons.
With Newcastle pinned on their own try line, they box kick clear, Ford takes the quick line out. A number of phases follow, however, Tigers can't get the reward they're looking for.
Newcastle penalty.
47
TIGERS BALL
Tigers win the penalty through a collapsed scrum. Ford finds touch with Youngs on the job to take over for the line out.
Leicester earn a scrum following a knock on from a high ball.
45
EARLY FALCONS PRESSURE
Ford finds touch deep in the Falcons half following a great kick. Falcons line out to come.
Penalty goes Newcastle's way and a chance of Hodgson to find touch. Newcastle win the line out and find Mark Wilson, Freddie Steward collects the high ball and returns fire.
A flurry of kicks results in Callum Chick breaking the Tigers line, but Moroni is there to intervene. We go back for a Newcastle penalty.
BACK UNDERWAY FOR THE SECOND HALF
Newcastle get us back underway through Joel Hodgson.
Harry Potter returns to the field following his HIA check, Porter makes way for him.
HALF-TIME | TIGERS 16-0 FALCONS
Tigers lead at the break through a Liebenberg try and the boot of George Ford.
FORD CONVERTS ON HALF TIME
George Ford kicks the resulting penalty to close the half at 16-0.
YELLOW CARD
Darren Barry receives the first yellow card of the game.
39
LATE HALF PRESSURE
A series of high kicks sees George Ford unleash a spiral bomb which causes trouble for the Falcons backs. Tigers earn the scrum for a knock on.
Jasper Wiese collects from the base of the scrum as Tigers go through the phases.
As we tick over the 40-minute mark a penalty goes Tigers way.
TIGERS REPLACEMENT
Harry Potter makes way for Guy Porter on the wing.
37
WORK FROM THE WIZZARD
A charge down from Harry Potter on Alex Taite results in another Tigers penalty for offside.
The resulting line out sees Newcastle winning the penalty, Liebenberg penalised.
FORD ADDS THE POINTS
Ford converts from under the posts, stretching Tigers lead to 13-0.
33
TIGERS LINE OUT 22M OUT
Penalty goes Tigers way at the scrum, with Ford getting the opportunity to kick clear.
A resulting Tigers line out sees Dan Kelly break the line. Wigglesworth finds Genge and Potter, but we will go back for a penalty. Ford kicks to touch one again.
31
NEWCASTLE LOOK TO UP THE PRESSURE
We reset with the Newcastle scrum, who earn the resulting penalty.
Joel Hodgson kicks down the pitch with George Ford collecting but slices it into touch for a Falcons line out.
Newcastle work through the phases, but a scrum goes Tigers way for a knock on.
29
KICK TO KICK
Newcastle try to hit back at Tigers from the restart.
A phase of kick tennis causes trouble for Alex Tait, with Tigers looking to continue the pressure in Newcastle's half.
A break by Moroni and Murimurivalu down the left then sees a knock on by Genge.
FORD ADDS THE POINTS
George Ford converts the penalty from the 22m line to extend Tigers lead.
25
BACK AND FORTH
Hanro Liebenberg charges down the box kick and forces the knock on.
Wigglesworth has the chance to feed the scrum, however, Newcastle win the turnover and clear through Louis Schreuder.
23
BREATHING SPACE FOR FALCONS
Tigers work the ball from the line out and go through the phases with Liebenberg and Genge.
Tom Youngs is penalised for his entry at the breakdown and Joel Hodgson kicks to touch.
22
TIGERS LINE OUT
A Murimurivalu knock on results in a scrum for Newcastle in the center of the pitch.
Moroni pounches on a loose ball and the Falcons are punished at the breakdown. Ford kicks into touch.
20
TIGERS WIN PENALTY FROM LINEOUT
Ford kicks clear. Liebenberg wins the resulting line out and a cross field kick is collected by Alex Tait.
Resulting pressure from Tigers wins them a penalty.
17
NEWCASTLE PRESSURE FROM RESTART
Newcastle are deep in the Tigers half after the restart, working it to the left flank.
Ben Stevenson is stopped from a last ditch tackle from Kelly, we will have the line out.
FORD CONVERTS
George Ford converts from underneath the posts, Tigers lead by 7-0.
14
WE RESET WITH A SCRUM
Jasper Wiese with the drive from the scrum, he's brought down, Liebenberg makes a dash for the line...
LIEBENBERG TRY
Liebenberg scores Tigers first try of the day after some heavy work from Jasper Wiese.
12
STOPPAGE IN PLAY
Penalty to Tigers from the scrum and Ford opts to find touch.
Leicester look to open the scoring working the ball from side to side, but play is halted for an injury.
8
TIGERS KEEP THE PRESSURE ON
A wonderful kick from Ford pins Newcastle back to their 5m line for a line out.
Tigers earn a penalty for great work in the breakdown.
7
FIRST SCRUM
A Falcons line out results in the first scrum of the game.
Penalty Tigers. Wiese taps and goes but Newcastle do well and force the turnover.
4
TIGERS GO THROUGH THE PHASES
The tap and go from Tigers results in a Newcastle penalty.
Tigers recycle with Kelly and Murimurivalu, with a chipped kick in behind just out of the reaches of Steward.
Lineout for the Falcons
2
EARLY TIGERS PRESSURE
An early exchange of kicks under the windy conditions here leads to a kick to touch for Tigers.
Tigers work the ball right from the line out as Steward breaks the line. Good early pressure from Tigers
0
HERE WE GO…
Leicester Tigers get things underway with George Ford kicking things off as Tigers attack the Mattioli Woods stand.
0
LIVE IN FIVE
Five minutes to go until we’re underway here.
Both teams have finished their warm-ups and made their way into the dressing rooms for those final words.
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0
TIGERS LOOK TO CONTINUE STRONG HOME FORM
The Tigers have lost just once at Mattioli Woods Welford Road in any competition since early December.
Between the two clubs, overall they have met on 60 previous occasions with Leicester winning 44 to 13 by Newcastle and 3 games drawn. Thirty-one of those clashes have been at Mattioli Woods Welford Road where the Tigers record reflects 27 wins, 1 draw, and only 3 losses.
To read our full match preview click here
HOW THE FALCONS LINEUP
TODAY’S TIGERS 15
0
TIGERS HOST FALCONS IN ROUND 15
Welcome to a blustery Mattioli Woods Welford Road as Leicester Tigers face Newcastle Falcons for Round 15 of the Gallagher Premiership season.
The two clubs were supposed to have met in Round 4, but COVID-19 complications resulted in a declared victory for the Tynesiders.
Make sure you stay tuned in to Matchday Live and follow all the action for real-time commentary.