Leicester Tigers have fallen to Coventry Rugby in the Premiership Cup at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
A stirring remembrance service sent chills through the crowd at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, the club honouring service men and women before kick-off.
A young Tigers outfit, who have seen 10 Academy players make their debut in the first two rounds of the Cup, were overpowered in a excellent period of play from Coventry in the first half which saw the in-form Championship side score four tries in quick succession.
It was Tigers who got the scoring going however, centre Will Wand finishing off a slick move. Tigers had more opportunities to score, but couldn’t quite find the mark.
Coventry were well worth their 26-5 lead as the teams headed for the changing rooms.
Tigers came out with kore urgency and accuracy in the second period, beginning to inflict their game on the opposition.
It would take until the 55th minute for the try to come but when it did, it was a memorable one. A dink over the Coventry defence saw Tom Whiteley tip the ball just as the Coventry fullback closed in. Kyle Hatherell was in support and the flanker showed great skill to offload to Solomone Kata who had enough pace to score.
Tigers converted, but there was still a lot of work to do at 26-12.
The try lifted the home side, but a third would prove elusive, though Tigers were clearly starting to put their foot on the accelerator.
The pressure from Tigers eventually told, and after working the ball deep into Coventry’s red-zone, replacement prop Archie van der Flier was strong to get over for his first try for the club.
Tom Threlfall converted from the touchline, and it was now 26-19.
It looked like a grandstand finish was on the cards, but Coventry found another gear, and some space in Tigers defence around the ruck, and ran home a brilliant try from 40 metres out.
The conversion restored the visitors two-score advantage, 33-19 and that's how it would remain.
Commentary
FULL TIME
Tigers are defeated at Mattioli Woods Welford Road as Coventry claim victory.
Final score: Leicester Tigers 19 - 33 Coventry Rugby
72
BOTH SIDES SEARCHING FOR ANOTHER SCORE
Coventry continue to knock on the door, Tigers first holding up a rolling maul before, a few phases later, a score is chalked off as the referee pulls play back for an earlier infringement.
Tigers are throwing the kitchen sink themselves, a clearance won in the air by Will Wand before winning a penalty in midfield and kicking to touch.
CONVERSION | COVENTRY RUGBY
The visitors add the extras and regain a 14 point lead.
TRY | COVENTRY RUGBY
A canny score from the visitors reestablished breathing room.
Barrelling lock Senitiki Nayalo somehow slips through a gap after picking from a ruck.
Tigers get across the cover but Nayalo is too close to the line and too powerful to be stopped and touches down.
CONVERSION | TOM THRELFALL
Another cracking kick from Threlfall narrows the deficit further: just seven points now seperate the two sides.
TRY | ARCHIE VAN DER FLIER
Proper prop's try.
From the rolling maul, the ball is held firm and eventually the forwards break off.
There's a succession of tight, driving carries until eventually young prop Van der Flier bursts over.
60
TENSION AS WE ENTER FINAL QUARTER
Tigers remain two converted tries down as a stop-and-start half enters it's final 20 minutes.
The level of ferocity is yet to dip as thumping tackles continue to fly in from both sides.
Tigers enjoy the lions share of possession but can't quite break through, a break down the right the best chance in the last 10 minutes but the offload goes awry.
SUBSTITUTION | TIGERS
Samuel Williams comes off and Harry Beddall, young Wales U20 flanker, makes his senior debut for the club.
CONVERSION | TOM THRELFALL
No mistake from the fly half this time as he slots over from beneath the sticks.
TRY | SOLOMONE KATA
The centre dives over unopposed after a lightning break out wide.
Slick hands have the visitors al at sea and Tigers just pick them off, sprinting through on the left wing and going inside then out, the final offload to Kata who dives in beneath the posts.
47
SUBSTITUTIONS | LEICESTER TIGERS
Archie van der Flier and Solomone Kata are on.
44
TIGERS LEAD EARLY EXCHANGE
With the kick off not travelling the required distance, we reset for a scrum.
The ball travels wide where wing Jack Kinder does brilliantly to make five metres, stepping this way and that to find half a yard of space to burst through.
Two hard carries later, Tigers earn a penalty as Coventry are offside in the line, too eager to make a hit.
A chance to attack with a line out in the 22.
THE SECOND HALF IS UNDERWAY
Coventry kick us off and the second period begins.
HALF TIME AT MATTIOLI WOODS WELFORD ROAD
Tigers quick start was rapidly neutralised as Coventry hit four quickfire scores to give them a 21 point lead at the break.
Half time score: Leicester Tigers 5 - 26 Coventry Rugby
37
Tigers so close
After several minutes camped in the Coventry 22, Tigers are held up and the visitors clear.
It all begins from a charge down from a Coventry clearance, the ball skidding around as Tigers win possession deep in the opposition half.
Hitting contact with aplomb, the side win three successive penalties, all of which are kicked to touch but the rolling maul and subsequent carries just can't get over the whitewash.
Eventually, Vanes drives in low but is held up.
30
TRADING POSSESSION
Leicester front up well and make great metres over the last few minutes, consistent incremental gains which allow them to get into the Coventry half and earn a penalty.
Yet they can't continue to build as Threlfall misses touch, returning play to a Coventry scrum where the hosts win a penalty.
Tigers claim the ball back well after absorbing a few phases and now look to return fire as a kicking exchange ensues.
CONVERSION | COVENTRY RUGBY
Matthews makes no mistake this time and slots the extras from out wide.
TRY | COVENTRY RUGBY
A blistering period for the visitors sees them grab a fourth, early replacement David Opoku sprinting clear on the wing and sliding in for the score.
20
CONVERSION MISSED | COVENTRY RUGBY
Tommy Matthews is wide of the target.
TRY | COVENTRY RUGBY
Wing Ryan Huntley almost slips free, felled by a tap tackle by George Pearson.
Coventry keep their cool though and play a couple of tight phases, centre Tom Hitchcock diving over in the corner.
CONVERSION | COVENTRY RUGBY
Tommy Matthews hits his second conversion of the match and the visitors extend their lead.
TRY | COVENTRY RUGBY
An entertaining start (for a neutral) sees Coventry grab their second try of the game.
A penalty inside Tigers half is kicked to touch and the visitors set a rolling maul which rumbles over, hooker, and captain, Jordan Poole dotting down.
COVERSION | COVENTRY RUGBY
Fly half Tommy Matthews slots the kick and the visitors take the lead.
TRY | COVENTRY RUGBY
From the scrum, Tigers clear the ball and Coventry fly straight back into contact.
After a couple of phases it comes wide and flanker Aaron Hinkley dives over from short range.
11
INTENSITY IS HIGH HERE
These early exchanges are relentless; Tigers have looked to build on their opening score but are being met with ruthless resilience as Coventry hit successive driving tackles that knock the hosts back.
Winning possession themselves, the visitors now attack, props at the forefront aiming to barrell through before a low shot forces a knock on.
6
CONVERSION MISSED | Tom Threlfall
The young 10 fires wide.
TRY | WILL WAND
A magical score from the ex-Coventry centre!
A strong platform is provided by the scrum and Tigers opt left, the ball shifted to Wand who hits a show and go and accelerates through the gap.
Two defenders come across to cover so Wand darts inwards, offloading to wing Malelili Satala, who then passes back inside to Wand to dive over.
3
THUNDEROUS START
Leicester and Coventry waste no time getting physical, as both sides trade thunderous carries and booming tackles in the opening minutes. Eventually a knock on is called and the centre of the field is set for the game's opening scrum.
It is 143 years, 11 months and 21 days since these two sides first met in what is one of the sport's oldest rivalries.
KICK OFF
Tigers kick us off and we are underway!
-1
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.
A beautifully observed reading, rendition of the last post, minute's silence and laying of the wreath.
-5
TIGERS OUT TO GREAT APPLAUSE
Huge cheers here as Tigers run out amongst the flags.
We will honour another minute's silence in honour of Remembrance Day.
-30
GAME TWO COMING UP
The second match of today's Double Header is coming up as Leicester Tigers battle Coventry Rugby in the Premiership Rugby Cup!
Take your seats at Mattioli Woods Welford Road or stay with us here on Matchday Live for all the updates.