LEICESTER TIGERS 29

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 16

Powergen Cup round three

Welford Road

Saturday, December 3, 2005

Visiting hopes were high at half-time though, after 40 minutes in which Saints banished their opening-day demons to lead 11-7.

Mark Robinson gave Saints the perfect opening, beginning and ending a move that originated on halfway. His grubber kick split the line, and after John Rudd did well to hack ahead, the scrum-half was positioned perfectly to dive on the ball. Robinson had to beat several of his own players to the touchdown, and though Bruce Reihana missed the conversion it was still a fantastic start.

It could have been even better in the next play, when Ben Cohen kicked on Carlos Spencer's chip. Geordan Murphy's alertness de-fused the danger posed by the chasing Cohen and Rhodri Davies, and while the Irishman carried the ball over his line, a penalty conceded in the subsequent move saw Leicester clear.

Andy Goode failed with a 13th minute penalty attempt, but it took some desperate defence to keep Tigers scoreless when Goode preferred to kick for the corner a couple of minutes later. The under-fire Saints pack drove their counterparts back a good 10 metres, and when Martin Corry peeled off, there was a gold shirt to pull him down.

Needless to say there were some fisticuffs, although it took until the end of the opening quarter for hostilities to break out. With Saints on the offensive, the play was called back as Cohen and Alex Moreno formally introduced themselves. Though no cards were produced, Reihana kicked the resultant penalty for an 8-nil lead.

Once again Saints came close to a second try, denied once more by a covering Leicester winger - this time Leon Lloyd. Lloyd was in perfect position to touch down for a 22 after Steve Thompson had charged down an attempted Murphy clearance.

Were this a Premiership match the scores may have been closer, had Goode kicked for goal when given the opportunity. But aware of the need for bonus points in order to progress in the Powergen Cup, Leicester once again opted for the corner on the half-hour. And once more they were repelled by the wall of gold. Robinson cleared, and Saints were three points further ahead in the 38th minute with Reihana’s second penalty.

Thanks to Murphy Leicester's ambition paid off in the 40th minute. His run from deep won a penalty, and from the lineout he popped up in the line, creating the overlap for Lloyd to cross in the right corner. Goode converted, and Tigers were back in contention at 7-11. Which, with Goode's missed stoppage-time penalty, was how it stayed until the break.

Leicester centre Ollie Smith came within inches of taking Tigers ahead within seconds of the second period's opening whistle. Rudd's superb covering tackle pulled him down, and Thompson came within an outstretched arm of eliminating the danger completely. Still, the hosts earned themselves another penalty and kicked for the touchline. This time they were rewarded by Ben Kay, and with Goode's conversion Tigers were ahead for the first time. The try also sparked a melee, and a stern talking-to for both captains.

The lead lasted all of two minutes. Saints pounced on the uncontrolled kick-off; Spencer spotted space wide on the left and chipped for Rudd to cross in the corner. Reihana missed the conversion, but Saints were back in front 16-14.

It took merely six minutes for the lead to change hands once more. With the ball under control in a maul on Saints' 22, it was down to Spencer to clear. However, Corry was also in attendance, and Shane Jennings capitalised on his captain's charge down. Goode's missed conversion left the scores at 19-16.

Tigers were rampant, and Saints were fortunate when Lloyd had no support when he charged through. Nevertheless the momentum was firmly with the hosts, and when Smith was put straight through Saints' defence Leicester had the perfect platform to extend their lead. A series of forward lunges led to the score, winger Lloyd touching down. Goode made no mistake with the extras and Tigers were 10 points to the good.

Saints now needed two tries to continue their cup campaign, making Reihana's 75th minute penalty attempt a mystery. He missed, and when Goode was presented with a chance to kill the game from 52 metres he did so with his first penalty of the afternoon.

Still Saints threw everything they had at the hosts, and when Tigers conceded a string of penalties on their own line, the visitors chose to scrummage their way to a consolation bonus point. This time the home defence stood firm, and Northampton's Cardiff hopes were gone.

Teams:
Leicester Tigers - Vesty (Rabeni 47mins); Lloyd, Smith, Cornwell (Hipkiss 73mins), Murphy; Goode, Ellis (Cole 73mins); Holford, Chuter (Buckland 74mins), Moreno (Young 76mins), L Deacon (Hamilton 67mins), Kay, B Deacon, Jennings (Abraham 60mins), Corry (capt).

Northampton Saints - Reihana (capt); Lamont, Cohen, Davies, Rudd; Spencer, Robinson (Howard 71mins); Budgen, Thompson (Hartley 48mins), Barnard (Noon 72mins), Damien Browne, Gerard (Seely 71mins), Lewitt, Harding (Fox 59mins), Daniel Browne.

Scorers:
Leicester Tigers - Tries: Lloyd (2), Kay, Jennings; Cons Goode (3); Pen: Goode.

Northampton Saints - Tries: Robinson, Rudd; Pens: Reihana (2).

Attendance:
11,072

CLOCKWATCH:
5mins Saints: Try Robinson 0-5
21mins Saints: Pen Reihana 0-8
38mins Saints: Pen Reihana 0-11
40mins Tigers: Try Lloyd Con Goode 7-11
45mins Tigers: Try Kay Con Goode 14-11
48mins Saints: Try Rudd 14-16
54mins Tigers: Try Jennings 19-16
71mins Tigers: Try Lloyd Con Goode 26-16
78mins Tigers: Pen Goode 29-16