Leicester 19-15 London Irish: Tigers end losing run at Welford Road

Jonny May was on target as the Leicester Tigers secured a tight victory over London Irish

Leicester ended a run of six successive defeats in all competitions with a laboured 19-15 victory at home to Aviva Premiership bottom side London Irish.

Matt Toomua, Jonny May and Manu Tuilagi, on his 100th Leicester appearance, scored the tries that earned the Tigers their first Premiership win since November 19.

Joe Cokanasiga and Alex Lewington replied for a resolute Irish but in the end it proved not enough.

Leicester chairman Peter Tom had written in his programme notes that "this is not where we want or need to be" after a dreadful run which has seen them lose six successive games in all competitions - including four in the Premiership - three at the one-time fortress, Welford Road.

Matt Toomua was the scorer of Leicester's first try

The warning did not appear to do the trick because the Leicester fans had to wait 36 minutes before the Tigers rattled the scoreboard, centre Toomua finishing off a lovely move for a try, converted by George Ford, which put Leicester 7-5 ahead at half-time.

Leicester, under-powered up front and lacking creativity in the backs, looked like a side devoid of confidence and struggled to impose themselves on an Irish side in bottom place on nine points, with just one win.

Leicester made one change from the side hammered at Exeter - flanker Brendon O'Connor returning to the pack, while Irish were unchanged.

May got over for the Tigers' second score two minutes into the second half

England fly-half Ford wasted much of their possession, ignoring one of the Premiership's best centre pairings, Toomua and Tuilagi by throwing out long passes to the wingers.

It was a Ford mistake which led to Irish opening the scoring in the 21st minute.

He dallied too long in his own 22, lost the ball in contact, and winger Joe Cokanasiga hacked on and won the race to the touchdown, the referee taking several looks at replays before awarding the try.

Manu Tuilagi made his 100th appearance for Leicester Tigers at Welford Road

Greig Tonks missed the conversion and then Cokanasiga prevented a certain try at the other end with a last-ditch tackle on winger Adam Thompstone five minutes later.

England winger May, playing at full-back and Leicester's one bright spark, got his reward for a fine performance with a well worked try two minutes after the interval. Ford missed the conversion.

Tonks reduced the arrears with a 56th-minute penalty but the Exiles were forced to withstand some intense pressure from Leicester.

Matt O'Connor's under-fire Tigers side eked out the win they needed

The hosts passed up several penalties in their search for a try, number eight Sione Kalamafoni coming the closest before Tuilagi hurdled a pile of bodies to score eight minutes from time, with Ford converting.

Winger Lewington scored for Irish two minutes later, Tonks kicking the conversion, but the visitors were unable to find another way through as Leicester held on to secure an overdue victory.