Leicester Tigers absorb early blows before 31-point run downs Gloucester

Wales back-rower Aaron Wainwright scored his first try for Leicester Tigers as they defeated Gloucester 38-31 in a forward-dominated contest in the Gallagher Prem.

The hosts found themselves 14-0 down after just 10 minutes at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, but a sustained period of dominance led to them scoring 31 unanswered points that put them well on the way to their second straight win.

For the Cherry and Whites, this was a first league loss of the season as they fell short in a match that saw eight of the nine tries scored by forwards.

They were forced into a late change as the injured Arthur Clark dropped out, with Lewis Ludlow coming into the back row and Freddie Thomas shifting to lock.

It was Leicester who quickly found themselves under pressure when they had fly-half Billy Searle sin-binned just three minutes in for deliberately knocking Ben Loader’s pass forward inside his own 22.

The Cherry and Whites quickly made the most of their one-man advantage when Wales flanker Jac Morgan squeezed his way through after a succession of pick-and-goes from his fellow forwards.

Try number two for the visitors soon followed when a driving maul powered its way over, with loosehead Dian Bleuler grounding the ball. Caolan Englefield converted both early scores stylishly from out wide.

Points Flow Chart

Leicester win +7

Time in lead

49

Mins in lead

26

58%

% Of Game In Lead

31%

24%

Possession Last 10 min

76%

2

Points Last 10 min

10

Shortly after Searle returned to the field, Leicester were on the board when Finn Carnduff managed to force himself over the whitewash from close quarters.

The Tigers began to dominate territorially and found themselves level after half an hour when England tighthead Joe Heyes blasted through from a couple of metres and Searle added the extras.

The turnaround was then completed in the 36th minute when Jamie Blamire scored off the back of a driving maul to give Leicester a 21-14 half-time lead.

The hosts then pulled away as Searle kicked a penalty before the bonus point was sealed in the 50th minute with yet another close-range effort as Wainwright this time crossed from a matter of inches.

To make matters worse for Gloucester, they had Thomas sin-binned immediately after the try had been awarded as their evening threatened to unravel.

They had a lifeline after an hour when a superb carry from Morgan took them close to the line before Englefield’s pass allowed Will Trenholm to power in down the left.

But their hopes of a comeback were ended with 10 minutes remaining when Ollie Hassell-Collins became the first back from either team to score when Adam Radwan’s pass sent him scurrying in at the corner.

There was still time, though, for the visitors to claim two bonus points late on as Jack Innard scored their fourth try before George Barton knocked over a penalty with the final kick.