mens
Gallagher-Prime Minister
Leicester A dominant second half performance from the Tigers earned them an impressive 28-7 victory over their East Midlands rivals Northampton Saints.
The visitors, and Gallagher PREM champions, actually led at half-time at a damp Mattioli Woods Welford Road but had no answer as the Tigers turned on the power and scored four tries after the restart.
It meant Leicester could enjoy a third win in four league games, as well as getting one over Saints at home for the fourth consecutive season, as they leapfrogged to second in the table.
The wet and windy conditions quickly played a part as Northampton grabbed the first try of the game after just seven minutes.
With the lead in play, Fin Smith headed towards the Leicester try-line and, after a fumble by Billy Searle, James Pater pounced to score and Smith added the conversion.
Things are heating up as we reach half time in the East Midlands derby 😤🔥
Henry Pollock is right on top of things 👀
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A flurry of penalties from Saints gave Leicester a chance to hit back quickly, but their captain Ollie Chessum knocked over close to the line as the visitors’ defense held firm.
But the Tigers were on the board after 19 minutes when Freddie Steward brilliantly slotted a penalty between the uprights from Northampton’s own half.
The hosts moved back to four points and it took some strong defending deep into their territory to keep it that way as the spell of pressure was broken by Tommy Freeman knocking in under the posts.
It remained 7-3 to Saints at half-time, but the jitters down the touchline as the players headed for the tunnel indicated a fiery second half was on the way.
The home crowd were brought to their feet four minutes after the restart when a spot-kick went over Jamie Blamire who grounded the ball, although Searle’s missed conversion meant Leicester’s lead was just one point.
But their dominant start to the half produced a second try when a ball was sent in from the left to Gabriel Hamer-Webb whose pass led to Cameron Henderson scoring in the corner. Searle’s conversion slid wide again.
The Tigers were more than bare, though, when Finn Carnduff crashed over from close range in the 57th minute after a beleaguered Saints defense illegally brought down a maul.
Having failed to convert any of his side’s three attempts up to that point, Searle extended the home side’s lead with a penalty in front of the posts.
Northampton’s afternoon continued to unravel when Tom Lockett was booked for direct contact with Solomone Kata with 10 minutes remaining.
And the Tigers were rubbing their noses in it for a bonus point shortly after when Searle’s long pass found Steward and England the defender slid under the post.