Tigers hit by away day blues again as their ill discipline proves so costly
LEICESTER GIVE AWAY TOO MANY PENALTIES TO HAND EXILES A FIRST WIN AT NEW GROUND
LEICESTER Tigers’ search for a first away win in the Premiership since April 2019 continued as Paddy Jackson kicked London Irish to a first victory at the Brentford Community Stadium yesterday.
The optimism and hope that followed Steve Borthwick’s side’s opening round bonus-point victory over Gloucester evaporated as old ills that underpinned the final chapters of last season made an unwelcome return.
They conceded 10 first-half penalties and trailed by as many points at the break as Curtis Rona scored the new stadium’s first try and Jackson landed three kicks at goal after Zack Henry had given Tigers an early three-point lead from the tee.
Tigers tidied up their discipline after the break and closed the deficit to four points with two successful penalties from replacement fly-half Joaquin Diaz Bonilla.
But that was as good as it got as the Exiles rode out the storm and capitalised on errors, with Jackson closing out the game with three more successful penalties for a personal points haul of 17.
The only eye-catching element Tigers brought to proceedings was in the form of their colourful alternative strip, although winger Kobus van Wyk did raise some eyebrows as he batted a loose ball into touch to give referee Karl Dickson the easiest yellow card he will ever award.
Tigers, who at that stage were level at 3-3, conceded three more points to the boot of Jackson while down to 14 men, but shortly after returning to a full complement, the Exiles landed the game’s first try.
Strong, powerful and patient forward carries gained entry into the Tigers’ 22 before Rona was put through a gap by Billy Meakes to score from an arching run. Jackson added the extras.
Borthwick’s side were fortunate to be just 10 points behind as Jackson also missed penalty shots at goal either side of the try.
Sensing the need to wrestle back some momentum, Tigers made a double change at the break, with Bonilla brought on in place of Henry and Jordan Taufua replacing Cyle Brink.
Both made an impact as the hard-carrying back row Taufua punched holes and suddenly Jasper Wiese and Hanro Liebenberg were gobbling up metres.
Even the scrum, which had struggled early doors, became a weapon that was earning awards from the official.
Bonilla kicked two penalties in the space of five second-half minutes but was guilty of missing kicks to touch on three occasions, and when the Argentinian did find his target, Tigers couldn’t make their line-out stick.
A period of intense pressure which saw the hosts ship seven consecutive penalties went largely unpunished on the scoreboard.
With Tigers running out of steam and ideas, salt was rubbed in the wounds as Jackson punished any Tigers error from the tee to secure only their second win in 13 Premiership matches.
Tigers turn their attentions to the visit of Premiership and European champions Exeter Chiefs to the Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Saturday.