Leicester Tigers have defeated Northampton Saints 54-33 in the East Midlands Derby at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
For a full, play-by-play recap, click here.
An entertaining clash in front of a health crowd on Tigers’ home patch, Tigers now look forward to taking on Nottingham Rugby next Saturday, once again at home.
Tigers shot out of the gates and bagged their first try inside five minutes, Emeka Ilione setting the tone for what was an outstanding display from the young flanker.
Jamie Shillcock converted from the sideline, also an indicator of what was to come from his boot.
Will Wand was next to cross. Normally a centre, Wand looked comfortable on the wing throughout, his finish for his first try showing his pace and strength.
Wand bagged a double in the game, as did Hanro Liebenberg who was next to score, this one from mere inches from the line.
Shillcock converted the pair, though Saints would grab two late tries to make it 21-12 at the break.
The second half was action packed, Saints bringing the game within a single score on multiple occasions.
Tigers always responded however, Kyle Hatherell and Liebenberg keeping Saints just out of reach. Liebenberg’s second was a superb score, Tigers showing their hard edge up front, but also a willingness to play with width and guile.
Wand capitalised brilliantly on some loose Saints play to score Tigers penultimate try, but it would be Adam Radwan who would have the game’s final flurry.
Saints were pushing for a second bonus-point. With the score 47-33, and Saints with possession deep in Tigers territory, the ball spat out of a ruck. Tom Whiteley was first to react, and the scrum half found Radwan who showed his pace to score from long-range.
Shillcock capped a brilliant display, converting the try to make it 54-33 at full time.
Leicester Tigers 54 (21 HT) (Tries: Ilione, Wand 2, Liebenberg 2, Hatherell, Kata, Radwan; C: Shillcock 8) def Northampton Saints 33 (12 HT)
Commentary
FULL TIME AT MATTIOLI WOODS WELFORD ROAD
Full time here at home!
A big East Midlands derby win saw tries from Ilione, Wand (x2), Liebenberg (x2), Hatherell, Kata and Radwan.
CONVERSION | JAMIE SHILLCOCK
Shillcock adds yet another kick.
CONVERSION | JAMIE SHILLCOCK
Shillcock adds yet another kick.
TRY | ADAM RADWAN
Alright, he's pretty quick.
It's substitute scrum half Tom Whiteley who makes the initial break, slipping through a gap and making it a two on one which is executed with a lofted offload.
With open space ahead of him Radwan puts on the afterburners and speeds home along a cheering terrace, slamming it down to end the game.
74
TRY HELD UP
The forwards have left everything on the field but continue to soldier on, another mammoth effort resulting in the ball being held up once again.
CONVERSION | JAMIE SHILLCOCK
Another simple kick for Shillcock.
TRY | SOLOMONE KATA
Unstoppable.
Saints are all at sea as Tigers crash up and eventually Kata has a one on one, five metres out - the Tongan hurtles onto the ball and smashes over with ease to extend the Leicester lead.
CONVERSION | SAINTS
George Makepeace-Cubitt slots another to bring Northampton within a converted try from levelling the game.
TRY | NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
Flanker Fyn Brown drives over from a metre out.
63
CONVERSION MISSED | JAMIE SHILLCOCK
Shillcock fires wide for the first time this match, unable to further the 14 point lead.
TRY | WILL WAND
A bouncing ball is picked up by Wand in full flight, the wing diving over for his second score of the match.
SUBSTITUTIONS | TIGERS
Huge applause for Liebenberg and Cole who come off and are replaced by Finn Carnduff and Tim Hoyt.
CONVERSION | JAMIE SHILLCOCK
Another solid strike from Shillcock, retaining his 100% record from the tee thus far.
TRY | HANRO LIEBENBERG
A classic Liebenberg try!
Tigers keep their patience and Youngs spots an overload out left, soft hands eventually seeing Liebenberg receive the ball in an inch of space on the left wing but having the power to drive over and score.
SUBSTITUTION | TIGERS
Finn Theobald-Thomas, just days after agreeing to a new contract with the club, comes on in place of Charlie Clare.
CONVERSION | NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
Makepeace-Cubitt slots the extras.
TRY | NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
This has turned into a real basketball game, play shifting from end to end rapidly.
It's death by a thousand cuts here as a cavalcade of offloads out the back, off the deck, in the tackle, carve open a stubborn Tigers defence and eventually see Tom James grab his hat trick as Saints inched their way over the line.
SUBSTITUTION | LEICESTER TIGERS
James Cronin is on in place of Whitcombe.
CONVERSION | JAMIE SHILLCOCK
Shillcock adds his fourth of the game, again slotting from the left hand side with aplomb.
TRY | KYLE HATHERELL
With Tigers camped on the Saints line, the No. 8 finishes the job, smashing low and forcing the ball down with little space to work with.
48
Ilione playing superbly
One player who has been exemplary throughout this match is Ilione, who wins his second turnover of the game to sit alongside innumerable carries over the gainline, shuddering shots in defence an early try.
CONVERSION | NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
Makepeace-Cubitt slots a simple kick.
TRY | NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
Scrum half Tom James gets his second of the game with, what must be said, is an excellent score.
George Makepeace-Cubitt skips inside to beat a man before offloading to a charging Archie Benson, the replacement forward then popping the ball over the top to an onrushing James who has the pace to dive over under the posts.
Back underway at Mattioli Woods Welford Road!
Saints kick us off and we resume a feisty East Midlands derby.
HALF TIME HERE AT HOME
Tigers hold a nine point lead going into the break, with early tries from Emeka Ilione, Will Wand and Hanro Liebenberg.
Half time score: Leicester Tigers 21 - 12 Northampton Saints
CONVERSION | NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
Makepeace-Cubitt makes no mistake on this occassion, firing through from in front of the posts.
TRY | NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
Scrum half Tom James spots a gap and nips through to tighten the gap going into half time.
37
CONVERSION MISSED | SAINTS
George Makepeace-Cubitt fires wide from the touchline.
TRY | NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
The visitors get their opening score of the game, a few short carries opening space out wide, exploited by wing Will Glister to score in the corner.
35
HELD UP
The forwards do a great job of getting under the ball to prevent Saints powering over.
27
Volavola relieves the pressure
Saints are still searching for their first score here and a crafty grubber through almost manages it, fielded well but knocked on.
Five metres out with an attacking scrum in any other game would bring a near-certain score but this Tigers scrum are on fire and they once more brutalise the opposition, the ball skidding out the back as Saints go backwards.
Scrambling to keep it alive, the backs play a risky long ball which is plucked out of the air by Volavola and booted up field for Jamie Shillcock to chase. The fullback is ushered into touch but pressure is gratefully relieved.
CONVERSION | JAMIE SHILLCOCK
Confident kick from Shillcock who takes only a moment to smash the ball through the posts.
TRY | HANRO LIEBENBERG
Mortifying moment for Ben Youngs, put clean through after a dynamite break from Will Wand only to knock it on when tackled over the line.
Sure the most-capped male England international of all time won't be having too many sleepless nights of that one and he's bailed out shortly afterward by the scrum.
Against the head the pack win the ball back and Liebenberg dives on it to score from close range.
15
The pack show their power
The visitors have enjoyed their longest spell of possession thus far, working hard to get into the Tigers 22.
However, a scrum is eventually forced through hard work in defence and here the front row of James Whitcombe, Charlie Clare and Dan Cole destroy their opposite numbers to win a penalty, cleared long.
Two minutes later, when Tigers knock on, it's deja vu all over again as the pack, against the head, demolishes Saints and wins a successive scrum penalty.
CONVERSION | JAMIE SHILLCOCK
Another excellent conversion from the left hand side from Shilly.
TRY | WILL WAND
Tigers have got an unstoppable energy around their play at the moment.
The forwards are smashing over the gainline, lead by tryscorer Ilione before finally the backs pull the trigger and send the ball wide where Will Wand can stroll in to further the lead.
CONVERSION | JAMIE SHILLCOCK
This East-Midlands derby has got fiery very early, the first team-wide scuffle kicking off following that early try.
Undeterred by the chaos, fullback Jamie Shillcock slots a difficult kick with aplomb.
TRY | EMEKA ILIONE
Tigers get the opening score!
With advantage pulled back, the forwards absolutely drill their way over, Emeka Ilione at the back and touching down.
2
Radwan threatens early
Tigers win a penalty early on, kicked to touch by Ben Volavola.
Short drives see a second penalty awarded but, with an advantage, Tigers fling it wide and new boy Adam Radwan almost skins two players for what would be a spectacular score.
KICK OFF
We're underway at Mattioli Woods Welford Road!
-1
The teams are out
Ben Youngs leads Tigers onto the field. We're just about ready to go here at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
-10
TEAM NEWS
Tigers have named a strong starting line up, with both Dan Cole and Ben Youngs set to start, while new signing Adam Radwan gets set for his debut at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
See the full team HERE.
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FIFTEEN MINUTES TO GO!
There's just quarter of an hour to go until kick off in a Premiership Rugby Cup East Midlands derby!