Tigers too strong for Leeds

Leicester Tigers produced a typically rugged and professional display to beat a spirited but ultimately toothless Leeds 29-6 at Headingley in coach Marcelo Loffreda's first game in charge.

The Tigers were rarely at their best, but produced moments of class when it mattered despite the difficult wet conditions to emerge victorious from a hard-fought encounter.

Tom Varndell demonstrated his predatory finishing instincts to claim a try in either half, with Tom Youngs also touching down for the visitors for whom Andy Goode kicked 14 points.

The hosts were restricted to two early penalties from Alberto Di Bernardo but, despite periods of heavy pressure, just could not breach Leicester's well-drilled defensive line.

The hosts made a bright start and were in their opponents' faces from the off, and the high tempo approach saw them on the board first as Di Bernardo slotted his first penalty on six minutes.

Goode quickly levelled matters with a penalty of his own as Leeds were penalised for going in at the side of a ruck, but they were soon behind again as Tom Croft was penalised for not moving away with Di Bernardo successfully bisecting the posts with the subsequent kick.

Important first try

Goode restored parity on 23 minutes with his second penalty and provided the high diagonal cross-kick that set up the visitors' first try. Varndell went up with Apolosi Salata to contest the ball and - having somewhat fortuitously been adjudged not to have knocked on - reacted quickly to scoop up the loose ball ahead of Leigh Hinton to touch down.

Goode kicked the extras to ensure Leicester went in 13-6 to the good at the interval despite a rather lethargic first-half showing.

Needing the first score of the second period to gain some momentum, Leeds were dealt a harsh blow as Goode landed a thumping penalty from inside his own half on 44 minutes and saw the game virtually taken away from them as Leicester carved out their second try four minutes later.

A barnstorming break from Louis Deacon set the Tigers on the move and, when possession was recycled, Goode spun out wide to Sam Vesty who expertly picked up on the half-volley before feeding Youngs who crashed over.

Leeds turned down a couple of kickable penalties in search of the try that would get them back into the match, but could not breach Leicester's line with a mixture of costly errors and strong defending keeping them at bay.

Goode kicked his fourth penalty nine minutes from time and Johnny Murphy looked to have added his name to the list of try-scorers before a last-ditch Satala tackle saw him spill the ball as he looked to touch down.

But a third try did arrive before the final whistle with Varndell adding a gloss to the victory by latching on to Vesty's clever grubber kick to touch down in the corner.