Matt Smith moved to the wing in place of the injured Alesana Tuilagi.  Johne Murphy was added to the replacements.

After a quiet few minutes in which Irish kept knocking Tigers back through tactical kicking and an aggressive approach in the tackle, it was Leicester who grabbed 10th-minute lead with a try from full-back Geordan Murphy.  The ball went from left to right and with quick ball from the ensuing ruck, Toby Flood broke the Irish line before setting Murphy free to score under the posts from fifteen metres. Flood, added the conversion.

Irish put their first points on the board midway through the half when fly-half Eoghan Hickey kicked a penalty from fully five yards inside his own half after Tigers were penalised at a ruck.  The atmosphere was warm and still making such a monster kick possible.  Flood then pulled a penalty past the left-hand post.  Irish scored moments later when they thrust towards the posts and recycled the ball quickly to catch the Tigers defence short handed down the left and flanker Steffon Armitage touched down in the left-hand corner to give the visitors the lead. Peter Hewat added the conversion from the touchline.

Flood had an immediate opportunity to bring Tigers level when they were awarded a penalty from the restart but the ball hit the left-hand upright and bounced back.

Tigers were causing the Irish pack problems in the line out and the scrum. There were a series of scrums close to the Irish line. Referee White kept awarding Tigers free-kicks after collapses and standings-up alike; I thought the correct sanction was a penalty.  The scrumfest ended with a quick tap and go from a free-kick and Hickey receiving a yellow card for holding back Harry Ellis.  With the half running out Flood kicked from in front of the posts to bring Tigers level going into the break.

Irish were nearly booed from the field for a series of questionable tackles which left Dan Hipkiss and others in a poor state.  There may have been the old punch thrown in retaliation so we shall have to see what the citing officer makes of the video.

Irish went ahead early in the second half.  After some aerial ping pong, Tom Varndell tried to take a quick line-out to Murphy but he was under immediate pressure and his kick was charged down and Seilala Mapusua collected the ball to score from ten metres. Hewat kicked the conversion.

Back Tigers came, and Tom Croft scored their second try of the afternoon as he went full length to scoop up Ben Herring's left-footed grubber and slide over the line in the left-hand corner. Flood added the conversion to bring Tigers level again at 17-17.

A scything break in the midfield by Aaron Mauger almost allowed Tigers in again moments later, but Herring was caught by the Irish defence.

Tigers were piling on the pressure winning the lions share of possession but Irish were still a threat and almost broke the length of the field with Hewat knocking-on a poor pass just inside the Tigers 22 when a good pass and catch would have seen a try scored.

Instead, it was Tigers who went ahead, this time with a try from Herring. From a ruch on the Irish 22 Ayertza found a gap and passed inside to Herring who showed remarkable speed to slash his way past two tackles to score under the posts.

Hewat, who had already badly missed a long range drop-goal attempt, then missed the chance to bring Irish within four points after Tigers were penalised at a maul.

Moments later it was Flood's turn to miss a penalty, his long-range effort went to the left.

Irish were brought right back into the contest through Delon Armitage's try with just two minutes remaining. Tigers were attacking on the Irish 22 looking for the try that would have brought them a bonus point.  Irish grabbed the balll in a tackle, and Peter Richards scooted down the wing.  He chipped over the defending winger but the ball bounced unkindly for both teams.  Richards was first to the ball and passed across field where several Irish backs were in position to swing the ball across the pitch to score half way between the posts and the corner flag.   It was not a difficult kick but Hewat missed.

The Welford Road crowd, who had given their team full support all afternoon, applauded both teams equally.

I was left wondering how good the Tigers team is this year.  We are very strong in the line out and scrum.  However, we were weaker than Irish around the break-down.  Their defence and attack amongst the backs was superior to ours.  We gifted them at least seven points.  However, at Welford Road we should have won more easily if we are better than Irish.  There is some room for improvement, but the ELV that allows the collapse of the maul is doing us no favours.  On this form, trophies will be hard to win.  Also, ironically, our place kicker must do a little better; other teams are unlikely to have a kicker that is as bad as Hewat.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon

Related Articles:

• Same old Leicester....
• Kingsholm = Tigers second home

SPORTNETWORK SPECIALS