Tigers too strong for floundering Falcons
Newcastle Falcons …….. 10pts
Try: Chick 51
Conversion: Grayson 52
Penalty: Grayson 7
Tries: Hassell-Colliins 17 Watson 23, Illione 40+1, Steward 42 Martin 56, Wand 69 Liebenberg 73
Conversions: Shillcock 18, 57
Penalty: Shillcock 3
LEICESTER finished off a slightly fractious week with a comprehensive win over a Newcastle side which slid inexorably to their 24th straight Premiership defeat.
Tigers have been unimpressed with how the RFU disciplinary committee handled the Michael Che-ka case in midweek – their new Aussie coach copped a week’s touchline ban for the way he engaged with the independent doctor at Exeter two weeks ago – while they were also fretting at their sloppy defeat against Bath last week
All of which had them bristling with intent as they lined up at Kingston Park last night. They had travelled north on business.
Newcastle meanwhile seemed to regress from their opening two defeats of the season when they stayed in the fight for the full 80 minutes and enjoyed good periods of pressure. Save for a brief spell when Tigers encountered card troubles, the Falcons simply weren’t in this match with Tigers outscoring the home side seven tries to one.
Newcastle hung on initially with Jamie Shillcock and Ethan Grayson swapping penalties but as Leicester started to crank things up, the points started arriving in a rush.
First up came Ollie Hassell-Collins who crossed and touched down oh so carefully after squandering a try against Bath following a prolonged period of pressure when the Tigers pack battered away at their opponents’ line.
CLOSE-UP
ETHAN GRAYSON Newcastle fly-half V JAMIE SHILLCOCK Leicester fly-half
Two talented 10s with the difficult job of filling in for others. Grayson, on a short term contract from San Diego, looks Premiership quality but being parachuted in is difficult, not least fitting into defensive duties and he had precious little chance in attack.
Shillcock is a considerable talent who is keeping the seat warm for Handre Pollard. He can’t match the great Bok off the tee but he is a silky performer in attack and has the valuable habit of making big decisive plays.
Tigers second try was a beauty with Shillcock locating Anthony Watson in acres of space wide to the right with a delightful long pass. The England man, on the comeback trail after yet another big injury, looks very fit and his finish was vintage. Hitch kick, fend, sprint and in the blink of an eye he was over for a try that brought his teammates obvious pleasure.
Leicester continued to dominate and were rewarded again in added time after a blockbusting run from Ollie Chessum down the left touchline had set up the attacking position. The forwards weren’t letting the ball out wide this time and promising back rower Emeka Ilione, a replacement for Kyle Hatherell, powered over from short range.
The writing was on the wall and after a prolonged half-time break, following a nasty looking injury to a fan in fancy dress participating in the half-time entertainment it was more of the same.
Tigers had the try bonus tied up within two points with Freddie Steward crashing over from a clever little out the back pass form Joe Woodward who enjoyed a thoroughly competent debut.
With Watson and Hanro Liebenberg copping yellows in short order there was just a glimpse for Newcastle and skipper Callum Chick, making his 150th appearance for the club, did force his way over from a tapped penalty but when the numbers levelled out again it was all Tigers until the final whistle.
The impressive George Martin muscled his way over for a try and then Will Wand steamed in for a score on the left wing on his debut. Wand is yet another example of how vital the Championship is despite the RFU’s best efforts to marginalise it. The young wing learned his game at Cambridge and then played for Coventry last season scoring 14 tries and winning Cov’s player of the season award.
His try wasn’t the last. There was just time for the hard working Liebenberg to round things off. Cheika back home watching on TV will have been delighted.
