Tigers were still smarting after a poor performance and defeat to the Wasps on the previous Friday night, were ready to allay their supporters' fears and make a point of playing a bit of rugby as opposed to aerial ping-pong. Saints, with the kudos of defeating Wasps, were coming off the back of a defeat at the hands of Saracens.

It was Leicester who came out of the blocks first, taking a lead after just 2 minutes with a successful penalty conversion by Toby Flood. The home side continued to pile on the pressure, but failed to convert all of their possession and territory into points due to a combination of poor handling once they got into the Saints 22, and some resolute defensive work by the visitors.

9 minutes into the game saw Boris Stankovitch binned for 10 minutes for punching Hartley. This followed a scrum just on th Saints 22, the play moved away and the next thing I saw was a couple of fat boys cuddling on the floor. Stanko landed a few punches (allegedly) and was lucky only to get yellow for his efforts!

This handed the possession and impetus back to Northampton who went ahead with a penalty only two minutes later to bring the scores level at 3-3.

Leicester's reposte was immediate as Saints were pinged from the restart to gift Flood a second successful kick, putting Tigers back into the lead.

This only spurred the Saints on and with 14 vs 15, it was Murray who crossed the Tigers line to score the visitor's only try of the night.. Myler added the conversion and Saints moved into a 6 - 10 lead.

Despite not seeing much of the ball, it was Saints who took most advantage from their possession before the first half whistle, converting a further two penalties (Myler) to Tigers one (Flood). The sides went in at half time with Northampton holding on to a slender 9 - 16 lead.

Back out for the second half, it took Leicester a full 16 minutes to break down the Northampton defensive line with a try from Johne Murphy. The conversion from Flood brought the Tigers level at 16 -16. This followed a series of 5m scrums that saw Tigers camped on the Saints line for a full 10 minutes!

This prompted a substitution frenzy from both squads with Leicester putting Chuter and Kay on for Keyser and Wentzel, Saints took Smith off for Tonga'uiha, Tigers swapped Dupuy for Ellis.

Nearly half an hour spent in the Saints half (mostly of which was spent in a scrum!) was interrupted by a brief excursion by the visitors into Tigers territory. Leicester were penalised just inside their own half - up stepped Myler and three points were somehow added to the Saints tally. Tigers 16, Saints 19 with just over 10 minutes left to play.

Lord was substiuted by Rae straight after the successful penalty kick just on the 70^th minute, and Tigers knew that they had to keep the pressure on if they were to take the game.

Right on queue, Danny Hipkiss barged through to cross the white-wash. The conversion was missed by Flood and the score moved on to a tantalising 21 -19.

Tigers edged into a 24 - 19 lead with a 78^th minute penalty from Flood. Saints were spurred on, now needing a converted try to win the match. The visitors often showed some invention from the set-piece and frequently looked likely to break through the Tigers defensive line, only to be thwarted by their own handling mistakes and last ditch tackling by Leicester.

It was from one of these attacking moves by the Saints that Toby Flood intercepted a pass (now where have we seen that before?), to run 60 meters and dot the ball down in the corner.

With one minute remaining on the clock and the score standing at 29 - 19, Saints seemed destined to be be denied the losing bonus point that they so richly deserved. Incredibly, with the clock showing 00:00, Tigers seemed determined to go for their fourth try and to run the ball out of their own 22. A couple of fumbles later, one giving the ball away to Saints, the other by the visitors to give the ball back, referee Chris White blew for full time.

Final score Tigers 29 Saints 19.

It often happens in the game of rugby that the efforts from both teams is not truly reflected in the final score line. Leicester should have had this game sown up in the first half-hour, but failed to make much headway beyond the Saints' 22: at the same time, the defensive efforts, discipline and invention from the set-piece by the Saints was, at times, exemplory.

And so, with normal service resumed (at least in this half of the local derby), Tigers move into a month of EDF and HEC games. We will all have to waint until January 09 for the return bout againt Northampton Saints down at Sunny Franklins Gardens. Can't wait!

Teams:

Tigers: Geordan Murphy, Johne Murphy, Dan Hipkiss, Aaron Mauger, Matt Smith, Toby Flood, Harry Ellis, Boris Stankovich, Benjamin Kayser, Julian White, Martin Corry, Marco Wentzel, Tom Croft, Ben Herring, Jordan Crane.

Tigers bench: George Chuter, Marcos Ayerza, Ben Kay, Ben Woods, Julien Dupuy, Tom Youngs, Tom Varndell.

Saints: Stephen Myler, Chris Ashton, Joe Ansbro, Chris Mayor, Bruce Reihana, Carlos Spencer, Ben Foden, Tom Smith, Dylan Hartley, Euan Murray, Matt Lord, Christian Day, Mark Hopley, Scott Gray, Roger Wilson.

Saints bench: Paul Shields, Soane Tonga'uiha, Alex Rae, Ben Lewitt, Lee Dickson, Nils Mordt, Sean Lamont.

Referee: Chris White.

Attendance: 17,498.

How it happened:

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon

Related Articles:

• Wasps finally work out how to sting
• Worcester vs Tigers Match Report
• Warriors v Tigers Gallery
• Life without a Season Ticket

SPORTNETWORK SPECIALS