Leicester will be hoping that a 26-17 derby victory over Northampton serves as a solid beginning to their season. At Welford Road, the South Africa World Cup-winning fly-half Handré Pollard scored 16 points, putting the finishing touches on his team’s local rivals.
Prior to the match, the Tigers had secured a single victory in their first five Premiership matches. However, they executed with tremendous ferocity to put an end to Northampton’s three-match winning sequence. Leicester extended their 9-3 halftime lead with tries from Hanro Liebenberg and Francois van Wyk in the second half. The Saints, who were reduced to 13 men after halftime due to yellow cards for Sam Matavesi and Ethan Waller and a multitude of penalty kicks, proved to be offenders.
At a 19-10 deficit, the visitors were also forced to endure a potentially disastrous refereeing decision when Karl Dickson sounded his whistle for what he believed to be a knock-on from Henry Pollock prior to Tommy Freeman touching down. It appeared from replays that the try ought to have been successful, but Leicester held on to secure a valuable victory.
Dominance and Intensity
After George Furbank mishandled a high ball, Northampton were caught offside, allowing Pollard to convert the penalty kick and give the host side the early lead. This set the tone for the Tigers, who impressed early on.
As the minutes passed, Leicester increased the intensity of the situation. However, Charlie Clare’s goal was correctly chalked off for obstruction by Solomone Kata on Fraser Dingwall subsequent to a maul.
Saints tied the game with a superb long-range penalty kick by Fin Smith. However, the Tigers soon regained the lead when Pollard converted a penalty kick earned at the scrum. Pollard scored three more points from inside his own half as Leicester maintained their turnover lead.
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The intensity of the host team was glaringly apparent, and they were dominating the scrum by securing three consecutive penalties. After James Ramm pursued Smith’s lead-setting kick, Pollard missed a second penalty and Northampton nearly missed an opportunity.
Challenges and Triumphs
The away team had a difficult time at the conclusion of a difficult half, and their troubles only deepened after halftime as Tommy Reffell’s breakdown prowess wreaked devastation. Northampton was not relieved, and Pollard added three more points to the tally when the Tigers converted another penalty.
The Saints chose Pollock to make his Premier League debut in place of Tom Pearson. But the 18-year-old and his teammates faced a huge obstacle. Following a sin-binned side entry by Northampton’s replacement hooker Matavesi, the Tigers responded by scoring via Van Wyk.
With 13 men and Furbank scoring, the Saints rallied after Waller’s sin-binned penalty for Northampton’s scrum difficulties. Following his conversion, Northampton anticipated a significant revival when Freeman crossed over. However, referee Dickson blew his whistle for what he believed to be a knock-on before Freeman scored; therefore, there was no opportunity, which perplexed the visiting team.
Leicester secured the victory with Hanro Liebenberg’s try from a quick tap conversion. Matavesi completed a flowing move for the Saints on the final play of the match.
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