Freddie Burns scores all of Leicester Tigers' points in victory over Gloucester

Freddie Burns: Kicked all of Leicester's points against former side Gloucester

Freddie Burns kicked all of Leicester Tigers' points as they ground out an 18-15 win over Gloucester at Welford Road.

The Tigers avenged the 33-16 defeat at Kingsholm earlier in the season thanks to a brilliant performance from fly-half Burns, who landed six penalties from six attempts against his former side.

Wales international James Hook kicked five from six for Gloucester, failing to earn his side a draw with a late 49-metre attempt.

Defences were on top throughout the Aviva Premiership contest and neither side had the cutting edge in attack to make the breakthrough that would have brought the match to light.

Gloucester, looking to end a seven-match losing streak at Leicester, just about shaded the first half which ended all square at 9-9.

Burns and opposite number Hook each kicked three penalties from three attempts on a night when persistent rain and a muddy pitch made life difficult.

Both teams used the high kick as a weapon but neither created any clear-cut chances, although Gloucester had a 29th-minute try chalked off for a forward pass.

That came from a mistake by Burns, who lost the ball trying to run out of his own 22. Gloucester pounced on the error but winger Henry Purdy's pass to centre Mark Atkinson was ruled to have gone forward.

Leicester pinned Gloucester on their own line late in the half but the visiting defence held firm for 15 phases before forcing a turnover.

The hosts made a flying start to the second half and opened up a six-point lead thanks to two more Burns penalties, the first going over off the right post, the second off the left.

Hook hit back with one of his own but with the crowd getting behind them Leicester began to dominate. They turned down three points as they pushed for a try, but the Cherry and Whites’ defence again held firm.

Hook kicked a fabulous 50-metre penalty from the left touchline on 63 minutes to level the scores, but Burns restored Leicester’s lead with 11 minutes remaining after Charlie Sharples was sin-binned for obstruction.

Hook tried to earn Gloucester a draw with a 53-metre penalty near the end but was way short.