Tigers bite back! Match reaction from Round 20 of the Gallagher Premiership

Well hello there! I’m sorry I’ve been absent for the last month or so. It’s been so hard juggling work, a social life and watching the rugby so I apologize that the blog has not been as frequent as it used to be. I hope you’re all safe and well. This weekend, I did manage to sit down to watch the local Derby between Leicester and Northampton. If you’ve read my previous blogs, you’ll know I support Leicester and have done for about eight years now so I was happy with the effort the squad put in and it was enjoyable seeing them get back to winning ways in the Premiership. Final score: 28-24 to Leicester. 

This was the 245th meeting between the two rugby giants and Leicester got off to a good start. On Youngs’ 250th appearance for the club, he snaffled the ball off the floor and touched down under the posts after the Northampton full-back dropped it due to a thumping tackle he received from the Leicester wing, Nemani Nadolo. The Saints had actually gone ahead with a penalty from Welsh fly-half Dan Bigger after three minutes but their lack of discipline and the boot of Zack Henry put Leicester 16-3 up. 

On the stroke of half an hour, Northampton had the perfect chance to capitalize on Leicester’s ill discipline after two players were sent to the sin bin for the same offence. This was a key moment in the game though as Northampton failed to take any points from the 13 men that were left on the pitch. Both Leicester players then returned and full-back Freddie Steward, struck a beautiful penalty from half way. The nineteen year old had a wonderful game and the future looks bright for Leicester if we can hold onto him. We’ve let a lot of academy and development players leave over the last few years which is frustrating as some have gone on to do wonderful things at big clubs. 

After the break, Henry’s fourth penalty put Leicester 12 points clear but another yellow card was awarded. Replacement prop for Northampton, Paul Hill nearly snatched victory from the home team but Henry struck a beauty of a drop goal from distance and gave Tigers their sixth win this season in the Premiership. 

Saints did get a consolation try but it wasn’t enough to spoil Leicester’s party and they went home with a losing bonus point. In my opinion, Saints lacked composure and didn’t look like they were up for the game. They’ve not been the same team since Cobus Reinach departed. They didn’t look like they had a clear game plan and Furbank didn’t control the game well at all. Leicester still have plenty to work on but their physicality, determination and Zack Henry’s boot is what won them the game. 

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Many thanks, Elizabeth x