TIGERS EARN THEIR STRIPES
Leicester win the relegation scrap
LEICESTER Tigers finally found their bite in Newcastle, winning only their seventh — but possibly most vital — game of the season.
The victory, thanks to two Guy Thompson tries and one from Jonny May, will surely see them survive a shock relegation.
They are not out of the woods yet, still down in ninth, but by beating Newcastle can finally breathe a sigh of relief.
The Falcons were denied despite superb shows from Tane Takulua — who took 17 of their points — Mark Wilson, Rodney Ah You and Simon Hammersley.
There was a late scare for Leicester and England, however, as Manu Tuilagi went off with eight minutes left holding his hamstring.
With no away win all season, minus 151 in points difference, 69 tries and 532 points conceded this season — all the worst in the league — Leicester were sinking before kick off.
But after half an hour Tigers were in control at 13-0 up. The quality — so lacking for large swathes of this season — came from Thompson and May. The flanker made a burst down the right wing after 17 minutes and flicked a stupendous offload out of the back of his hand to the on-rushing May.
The England winger skipped past two defenders and went all the way home, with Ford converting to add to his two penalties. He missed the third penalty, hitting a post, but it did not seem to matter at that stage.
The Falcons then found their wings. Hammersley broke down the right and, with Tigers reeling, Takulua fed George McGuigan who popped to Chris Harris on a great short line. The centre scored and his scrum half converted.
In a flash Newcastle were at it again. From a scrum they went blind, Niki Goneva embarrassed Jordan Olowofela and then had the support of Takulua who saw off Ford to steam in. His first wide conversion attempt was charged early by May and on the second shot Takulua missed.
From nowhere, Newcastle were one point behind and those Leicester frowns returned.
But, just when the Falcons were starting to soar after the break — with prop Ah You prominent — came a huge blow. Toby Flood threw a wide pass to his backs and Thompson intercepted.
The No 8 sped all the way to the line, running a good 55 metres. When Ford converted, Leicester’s lead was eight.
It did not deter Newcastle. From a penalty given when Gareth Owen killed the ball at a ruck, Flood kicked to touch and the driving maul was set.
Leicester’s line splintered and flanker Mike Williams brought the rampaging black mob down illegally. Referee Wayne Barnes sent him to the sin-bin.
With pressure on, Takulua then sniped and scored from the next phase. When lining up the kick, May tried to charge him early again.
Takulua missed but was allowed another shot and banged over the second attempt. One point in it once more.
At this point, with 15 minutes left, Leicester had only one foray into the Newcastle 22 to show for their efforts — and that was the interception try.
Then they lost their heads again. Ellis Genge took Flood out late after the No 10 had kicked clear, and the subsequent penalty from where the ball landed was kicked over by Takulua for a Newcastle lead.
Back came Leicester once more. Thompson just managed to sneak under a pile of bodies to score and after the touchdown was confirmed by the TMO, Ford waited the full 90 seconds allotted to land the conversion from in front of the posts.
Leicester almost had it sealed late on, but Genge blocked Hammersley’s leap for a crosskick aimed at May and conceded a penalty.
With time ticking and Kingston Park roaring, Newcastle drove for 26 phases into the Tigers’ 22 and won a penalty.
Having held up the massive drive to the line, Leicester thought they were safe.
However, Dan Cole conceded a penalty at the scrum which meant the Tigers had to man the barricades.
They took the blows and eventually turned the ball over to win for the first time away from Welford Road all season. Not before time.