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Wanderers win in style at Welford Road

Travis PerkinsSponsored by Travis Perkins

A scrappy first half went in the favour of the hosts but after the break the Wanderers settled down to run home seven of their nine scores - which included doubles for Stu Commins and Cesar Sempere.


In a physical start it was the Wanderers smashing their way over the gain line and when the Tigers went in at the side, Greig Tonks slotted a relatively simple starter for his side. It took the Tigers just two minutes to respond however, George Ford kicking them level and while a sterling defensive effort from the Wanderers kept their try line in tact, an offside offence allowed Ford to capture the lead for the first time.


It was one that the young skipper extended too, his third penalty of the night illustrative of discipline that was somewhat lacking in the opening quarter. Nevertheless, their attacking threat remained and while a pair of chances went begging after good work on from Ben Nutley, a lineout was eventually driven over - Alex Waller emerging from the pile of bodies with the ball in his grasp.


Again it was a short-lived advantage, Wanderers guilty of blocking out Leicester chasers from the restart and Ford maintained his perfect record from straight in front. Still the back line stayed strong though and after George Pisi pinballed his way through tacklers, James Craig also powered out hard yards which eventually allowed Commins to leap over a ruck and onto the try line.


Unfortunately for the Wanderers more restart troubles gifted Leicester a superb position 10 metres out and this time after a solid scrum, the gap was created by Ford's backhand offload, which send Andrew Forsyth over from close range.


Sempere showed his nimble footwork to carve out a chance for the Wanderers before Tonks thumped over a long range penalty on the stroke of half-time to bring the Wanderers back within a point and it was his left boot shortly after the break that meant the Wanderers would lead again.


Another scorching break from Sempere - assisted by Pisi - set up the Wanderers' next score, Paul Diggin scooping the ball back to the Spaniard for a superb score and Tonks maintained his good form from the tee with an equally impressive conversion from the left touchline.


It was a side of the 22-year-old that has not been showcased during his time at the Saints and two minutes later his haul became 16-points thanks to a third penalty of the evening. Sempere was also impressing and another jet-heeled burst from deep set the foundations for Commins' second try of the game - the Wanderers keeping the move alive despite their full back staying down injured in contact.


The fourth try of the night of course meant a try-bonus but the Wanderers weren't done there. A series of close range carries thrust James Ingle over for a fifth and Tonks again added the extras.


With 20 minutes to play there was still plenty of East Midlands pride to be played for and the Tigers gave a healthy home support something to cheer when Jethro Rawling burrowed over. It was all about the Wanderers though and after Pisi threatend with a superb break, Adam Parkins smashed his way over the line - Tonks converting having been narrowly pulled down short for a try his performance deserved.


Now having moved into the centre, it was Tonks' break that laid on Tom Warren's score and the rout was complete when Sempere and Diggin added further breakaway tries to put a comprehensive seal on the victory.


TIMELINE

4mins WAND Pen Tonks 0-3

6mins TIGS Pen Ford 3-3

12mins TIGS Pen Ford 6-3

16mins TIGS Pen Ford 9-3

22mins WAND Try Waller Con Tonks 9-10

24mins TIGS Pen Ford 12-10

32mins WAND Try Commins 12-15

35mins TIGS Try Forsyth Con Ford 19-15

40mins WAND Pen Tonks 19-18

HALF-TIME TIGERS 19 WAND 21

44mins WAND Pen Tonks 19-21

46mins WAND Try Sempere Con Tonks 19-28

49mins WAND Pen Tonks 19-31

54mins WAND Try Commins 19-36

59mins WAND Try Ingle Con Tonks 19-43

63mins TIGS Try Rawling 24-43

72mins WAND Try Parkins Con Tonks 24-50

76mins WAND Try Warren 24-55

78mins WAND Try Sempere 24-60

80mins WAND Try Diggin Con Hooley 24-67

FULL-TIME TIGERS 24 WANDERERS 67

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