Leicester Tigers have defeated Newcastle Falcons 42-10 at Kingston Park in round three of the Gallagher Premiership.
Tigers take a bonus-point win into next Saturday’s East Midlands Derby against Northampton Saints at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
Tigers opened the scoring in the fourth minute after Jamie Shillcock slotted a penalty. Newcastle would respond with a penalty of their own soon after.
Then, Tigers began to take control. Leicester worked close to the ruck, the forwards earning a penalty. Centre Izaia Perese got in behind the Falcons, the pack sucked in defenders and Shillcock sent a lovely ball to Ollie Hassell-Collins who dived over for the try.
Shillcock added the extras to make it 10-3.
Anthony Watson was next to score, the winger showing his class to fend off the covering defender and dot the ball down in the corner.
Tigers added a third before the breakthrough Emeka Ilione, who was a late addition to the starting team. It was Ilione’s first Gallagher Premiership try. Shillcock couldn’t find the range and it was 20-3 at half-time.
A supporter requiring medical attention delayed the restart, but Leicester began the half as they had ended the previous.
Playing with speed, Tigers punched holes in Falcons’ defence and with a beautiful offload from Joseph Woodward, fullback Freddie Steward was able to touch down for Tigers’ bonus-point.
Momentum changed when Tigers lost Watson and Hanro Liebenberg to the sin-bin, and Falcons got their first try through Chick. Newcastle converted and it was now 25-10.
Falcons then lost a player to a yellow card themselves, and Tigers took full advantage of the parity when George Martin muscled his way over the chalk.
Shillcock nailed the extras, the score now 32-10.
The newest Tiger, Will Wand got in on the scoring next, the lifelong Leicester fan getting a try on debut.
Tigers continued to press, Liebenberg crawling over to bring Tigers’ tally over 40 points.
It would remain 42-10 at the final whistle.
Commentary
FULL TIME AT KINGSTON PARK
Tigers take a bonus away point win after second half tries from Steward, Martin, Liebenberg and a Premiership debut score for Will Wand.
Full time score: Newcastle Falcons 10 - 42 Leicester Tigers
77
COLE HOLDS IT UP
Newcastle are hunting for a potential try bonus point, two scores away, but Dan Cole does brilliantly to get under the ball and hold it up after a hard carry.
74
CONVERSION MISSED | JAMIE SHILLCOCK
Shillcock skews it wide.
TRY | HANRO LIEBENBERG
This is astute from Ben Youngs.
Will Wand looks like he's in for a double out wide but he's stopped short.
Youngs plays a couple of phases before dummying a pass to appear he's going himself; Falcons fall for this hook, line and sinker and Youngs instead hits Hanro on a hard line, the No. 8's momentum carrying him over.
71
CONVERSION MISSED | JAMIE SHILLCOCK
Another tricky kick goes wide for Shillcock.
TRY | WILL WAND
Brilliant from Wand, on his Premiership debut.
Falcons aim to build out from their own half but Wand reads a flat pass perfectly, taking the ball on the run and activating the afterburners to dive over.
68
REAL BATTLE IN MIDFIELD
The war in the centre of the pitch rages on as both sides once again demonstrate their mettle in defence.
Tigers are enjoying the majority of possession but are struggling to break into the Falcons 22.
65
TIGERS SEARCHING FOR ANOTHER
With the bonus point already secured, Tigers are still looking to score another, their consistent endeavour in the carry rewarded with a penalty that is kicked to touch.
Archie Vanes is on for Clare and the replacement throws well as Tigers look for the line.
SUBSTITUTION | TIGERS
James Cronin is on for Smith and Ben Youngs enters for van Poortvlie, Youngs instantly shanking his box kick into the stands.
The scrum half sees the funny side as Liebenberg and Watson also return from their sin bins.
CONVERSION | JAMIE SHILLCOCK
Shillcock hits a beauty through the centre of the posts from the right hand touchline.
TRY | GEORGE MARTIN
The big second row drives over from close range after a succession of tight phases allowed Tigers to build up to the Newcastle line.
SUBSTITUTIONS | LEICESTER TIGERS
Perese exits for a HIA so summer signing Will Wand comes on for his Premiership debut.
Minutes before, Dan Cole has entered the field for Will Hurd.
YELLOW CARD | NEWCASTLE FALCONS
Perese intercepts cannily and breaks almost to the Falcons line.
However, the centre is hit high by Falcons hooker Jamie Blamire who is shown the yellow card.
54
PENALTY MISSED | JAMIE SHILLCOCK
Shillcock puts it wide from the left hand side.
53
VITAL TURNOVER
You already know who's pulled this off.
Tommy Reffell tracks a big box kick from van Poortvliet; Newcastle field it confidently but Reffell has maneuvered right into the drop zone and instantly latches onto the ball.
A gift for Tigers and Shillcock asks for the tee.
CONVERSION | NEWCASTLE FALCONS
The hosts add the extras.
TRY | NEWCASTLE FALCONS
Tigers have repelled two straight set pieces, but finally the hosts go over.
The thirteen men of Tigers do all they can but eventually Falcons captain Callum Chick drives over.
YELLOW CARD | HANRO LIEBENBERG
The No. 8 sees yellow after a high tackle.
YELLOW CARD | ANTHONY WATSON
The wing is carded for a deliberate knock on.
44
CONVERSION MISSED | JAMIE SHILLCOCK
Shillcock fires wide and Tigers retain a 22 point lead.
TRY | FREDDIE STEWARD
.. and they get the score!
The ball eventually comes to Joe Woodward who takes his man on the outside to look for a try on his first Premiership start.
Falcons cover well with a double tackle but Woodward somehow offloads out the back, beautifully, to Freddie Steward who powers over,
BACK UNDERWAY AT KINGSTON PARK
Falcons kick off and Tigers carry up well, already up to Falcons five metre line.
40
DELAY TO START OF SECOND HALF
A medical emergency delays the start of the second half.
HALF TIME AT KINGSTON PARK
Tries from Ollie Hassell-Collins, Anthony Watson and Emeka Ilione see Tigers hold a well-fought lead at the break.
Half time score: Newcastle Falcons 3 - 20 Leicester Tigers
40
CONVERSION MISSED | JAMIE SHILLCOCK
Shillcock again pulls it just wide from the touchline, this time the left hand side.
TRY | EMEKA ILIONE
Right on the stroke of half time!
Back and forth possession sees Perese hits a big dump tackle on his opposite number in defence before his side win the ball back.
With Hassell-Collins and Chessum winning great metres in contact, eventually flanker Ilione crashes over from short range.
33
PENALTY MISSED | NEWCASTLE FALCONS
Tigers lose possession and Falcons come back upfield.
The hosts eventually win a penalty 25 metres out in front of the sticks but Ethan Grayson puts it wide.
29
SCRUM PENALTY WON
Will Hurd, on his first start of the season, Clare and Nicky Smith make a mess at the scrum.
Falcons penalised for trying to handle the ball while being pushed back.
The penalty is kicked to touch and it's Tigers turn to play well into Falcons territory.
28
DEFENCE HOLDS FIRM
The hosts have had all the ball in the last few minutes, over fifteen phases of play testing the shoulders of the Tigers men.
Captain Chessum and George Martin hit a monstrous double hit in that time, play only halted by a knock on from Freddie Steward, looking to intercept.
Falcons scrum on the 22.
24
CONVERSION MISSED | JAMIE SHILLCOCK
Shillcock pulls the kick just wide from the right hand touchline.
TRY | ANTHONY WATSON
From the set piece, the backs show their quality.
Initially coming short, Watson suddenly kicks out wide and Shillcock's ranging miss pass finds the wing with an inch of space on the right wing.
That's all he needs.
The British & Irish Lion shows immense acceleration to leave his opposite number behind and touch down.
CONVERSION | JAMIE SHILLCOCK
Shillcock notches a tricky kick from the left hand side and Tigers extend their lead.
TRY | OLLIE HASSELL-COLLINS
and Tigers get the game's first try!
The forwards front up and carry hard from the tap penalty until van Poortvliet spots it's time to hand it to the backs.
A flat ball hits Woodward who gifts it to Shillcock out the back and a floating miss pass from the 10 gives Hassell-Collins an easy run in, the wing diving over to score.
16
TIGERS BRUTE FORCE THEIR WAY TO THE LINE
This is a real humdinger of a contest in the carry stakes, both sides are really leaving it out there.
Chessum, Martin, Reffell all carry in quick succession but Tigers can't find fresh air amongst a stifling Falcons defence.
Eventually Leicester win a penalty and kick to touch where Izaia Perese unbelievably well to drive ten metres with three players hanging off him as Tigers get right up to the line.
They play the phases and eventually win a penalty.
12
Physical Contest thus far
We've had three successive scrums here as both sides are hitting each other with full force, a couple of knock ons the only thing halting play.
PENALTY | NEWCASTLE FALCONS
Eventually the hosts win a penalty, which fly half Ethan Grayson converts with aplomb.
All square here.
6
Woodward Starts Well
Joseph Woodward, making his first Premiership start today, carries well early, beating two defenders as Tigers monopolise possession.
Eventually van Poortvliet kicks high and Tigers are penalised for hands in the ruck when trying to win it back. Falcons kick to touch and the Leicester defence must be strong here as Newcastle come in strong on tight, hard lines.
PENALTY | JAMIE SHILLCOCK
Chessum takes at the tail and the side playing a couple of phases, winning a penalty in the process.
Shillcock swiftly points to the sticks and fires over from a central position.
First points go to the visitors.
2
TIGERS WITH AN EARLY CHANCE
Tigers kick off and Falcons return with a box kick shortly after.
Leicester keep the ball tight and heavy carries come in from Charlie Clare and captain Ollie Chessum.
Falcons look to meet them but stray offside in the process and Leicester kick for an attacking line out five metres out.
KICK OFF
We're underway at Kingston Park!
-5
LATE CHANGE FOR TIGERS
A late change sees Kyle Hatherell drop out, with Liebenberg coming in at No. 8 and Emeka Ilione starting at blindside flanker.
Côme Joussain enters the replacements.
-10
TEN MINUTES TILL KICK OFF
There's just ten minutes to go until we get underway in this Gallagher Premiership round three clash at Newcastle Falcons.
Take your seat at Kingston Park, watch live on TNT Sports 1 or stick with us here on Matchday Live for all the updates.