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Gallagher-Prime Minister
Leicester they claimed their first Gallagher Prem win of the season with a 24-19 win over Newcastle.
He makes his own Newcastle Bowing in front of a sell-out Kingston Park, Obi Ene crossed early but the Tigers soon took control as tries from Samiuela Moli and Adam Radwan along with a Billy Searle penalty gave them a 17-5 lead at the break.
George McGuigan crossed in the second half for Newcastle but Will Hurd’s try extended Leicester’s lead and they survived a late scare when Cam Jordan scored for the home team in the last 10 minutes.
After two matches with the Prem, the Tigers managed to see off the game and move to fifth place, while Newcastle fell to their second consecutive defeat in the league.
An impressive start saw Newcastle take the lead after three minutes after pressing just in front of the Tigers’ line, Brett Connon quickly released debutant Eno to dive over in the left corner.
Connon could not convert and Leicester were later frustrated by a solid defensive effort from the hosts.
The Tigers eventually scored from a lineout when a move went over the line and Molly slotted home his first Prem try for the club and Searle converted.
The visitors began to gather momentum and Christian Wade produced a superb save from Gabriel Hamer-Webb in the left corner before the Leicester winger made an important intervention himself, pulling Harrison Obatoyinbo into the break.
Leicester doubled their lead after Freddie Steward’s well-placed strike and Radwan chased the ball down the ground against his old club, with Searle adding the extras.
At half-time, Leicester extended their lead with a successful penalty, and the visitors defended well on their line to withstand Newcastle’s attacks.
The start of the second half was primarily played in midfield with multiple scrambles, until Newcastle suddenly surged forward, but Leicester grabbed the wrong pass for a breakaway.
However, Radwan pushed the ball forward and was too heavy with his second shot as it trickled out of play.
Newcastle pulled one back when McGuigan crossed the line to the ground and Connon’s shot was successful.
The Tigers then responded from close range when Hurd raced through the home defense and over the line in one move before Searle converted.
A good series of moves saw Newcastle hit back at Leicester and they scored when Jordan dived over the line and Zack Henry added the extras to move within five points of the visitors with five minutes remaining.
Wade was stopped as the hosts looked to score in the dying minutes, but Leicester managed to see out victory.