Tigers edge past Leeds

Leicester Tigers reclaimed their spot at the top of the Guinness Premiership standings with an uninspiring 14-9 win over bottom club Leeds Carnegie.

Craig Newby posted the only try of the game shortly before half time to see Tigers clinch the lacklustre victory to leapfrog Saracens and Northampton in the table.

However, a superb Leeds defence meant the visitors could only add nine more points, three in the second half which they completely dominated.

Deserved

The losing bonus point earned by Leeds was thoroughly deserved, with former Tiger Marco Wentzel and England Saxons flanker Hendre Fourie delivering particularly impressive defensive displays.

Tigers, who were without five internationals due to the England clash against Italy in Rome, squandered an opportunity to move into an early lead in the fourth minute when fly-half Jeremy Staunton was off target with a penalty from the left touchline.

It was Leeds that opened scoring as the hosts stole the lineout just inside the Leicester 22 and Ceiron Thomas kicked a penalty from in front of the posts.

The fly-half went on to extend the advantage four minutes later with an equally accurate second kick from 40 metres out.

Leicester looked likely to cross on 14 minutes when Jordan Crane was released in the corner, but Leeds number eight Rhys Oakley darted over and forced him to knock on.

Staunton botched another penalty for Tigers on 23 minutes but compensated by sending two more over before the interval to level the scores.

Firmly in control, Tigers seized their chance on 32 minutes when a lineout throw from Andy Titterell was stolen and Craig Newby snatched the loose ball on the blindside before powering over from 50 metres away, while Staunton missed the conversion.

A collapsed scrum saw Thomas bring Leeds within two points of the visitors six minutes into the second half.

However, the Welshman failed to propel Carnegie into the lead when he missed from 40 metres moments later.

Pressure

Leicester continued to pile on the pressure until Staunton sent over a close-range penalty to restore their five-point lead.

But Tigers were unable to build on that advantage as the resilient Leeds defence prevented them from breaking through, blocking three attempts to breach the line midway through the second half.

With their efforts to cross the tryline thwarted, Leicester went down the kicking route in an attempt to add insurance to their win, but Staunton missed a drop goal with eight minutes to go and Tigers had to settle for an unconvincing final score.