The Leicester Tigers Academy made it back-to-back victories to open the 2019/20 U18 League season with a nine-point, 27-18 away win over Sale Sharks Academy at Manchester Met University on Sunday afternoon.
Three first half tries to the visitors saw them take a 13-point lead into the break before the home side hit back with a late surge only to be prevented a come-from-behind victory with a try in the final minute of the match to Tigers winger Jake Sterland.
Tigers scrum-half Sam Edwards was the first to find his way over the line just six minutes into the match before two successive penalty goals to Sale saw the hosts lead by one-point approaching the half hour mark.
Leicester went back in front when fly-half Charlie Titcombe scored before second-rower Bob Singer, who scored a double in the first round win over Northampton, went over to make it three tries in two games this season.
Ollie Smith's accurate goal kicking meant the Leicester youngsters led 19-6 at the break.
Two tries to the Sharks Academy in the first twenty minutes of the second-half meant the hosts were just one point behind after an hour of play at Manchester Met University before a penalty goal to Smith extended the Leicester lead to four points, which they added to with Sterland's score in the 70th minute to deny Sale a losing bonus-point and secure the away victory.
Post-match, Tigers head coach Matt Smith said: "The victory is fantastic but, for me and the coaches, what was that it was a better team performance than last week."
"This group is really starting to show signs of Tigers spirit.
"There is still a lot of improvement in us as well and, only two weeks in to a season, that's exciting for us as coaches.
"We will need to improve again this week and be better again next weekend."
The Tigers Academy host Newcastle on December 28 at Oval Park in their final League fixture of the calendar year in Round 3 of the 2019/20 U18 League season.
Commentary
FULL TIME | 18-27
A Jake Sterland score in the final minute of the game denies Sale Sharks Under-18s a losing bonus-point as Tigers extend their unbeaten run.
HALF TIME | 6-19
Tigers take a 13-point lead into half-time at Manchester Metropolitan University following tries from Sam Edwards, charlie Titcombe and Bob Singer.
KICK OFF IN MANCHESTER
We're underway in the Tigers Academy's second game of the season.