There are many excitedly awaited events in life that capture the imagination; the birth of a first child, the discovery of a new species of fauna, a breakthrough in medical science or even the second coming of Christ. 

Such trivial matters pale into insignificance however, when compared to an imminent Tigers vs Wasps clash.  There are some who say that in latter times, Wasps have held something of an Indian sign over Tigers. Leicester’s recent record against the men from Wycombe, including defeats in Guinness premiership and Heineken Cup finals, would suggest that it’s not merely an Indian sign but more of a 100 metre high totem pole, standing beside a 4 bedroomed luxury wigwam with swimming pool, double garage and full central heating, commanding sweeping views of the Great Plains.

Considering the unprecedented prevailing weather, it is something of a miracle that this game took place at all.  With all other premiership fixtures falling foul of the freezing conditions, great credit has to go to the Tigers ground staff and volunteers whose hard work made the match possible.  I am sure all who attended the game, Tigers and Wasps fans alike, will join in a huge vote of thanks to all concerned for a magnificent effort in keeping the pitch playable.  At least with Sky’s Stuart Barnes providing match commentary, there was sufficient hot air in reserve should all else have failed.  Some of his utterings have been known to thaw the permafrost in the arctic tundra and word had obviously reached the Sky team that free pies were available to volunteer snow clearers.

The game had barely begun when Scott Hamilton hoisted a high ball just outside Leicester’s 22 and despite initially reclaiming the kick, the full back lost control and conceded possession to Wasps.  Danny Cipriani made a smart break and passed outside to Dominic Waldouck who put Brian Lemi away on the wing with Van Gisbergen on hand to take the try-scoring pass.  Van Gisbergen was unable to convert but the Tigers faithful must have feared the worst after such an early setback.

Soon afterwards, Van Gisbergen missed a chance to extend the visitors’ lead when he missed a penalty after Lewis Moody had been penalised for handling on the floor.  In return, Toby Flood was also off target in an attempt to put Leicester on the scoreboard after Paul Sackey had failed to release in the tackle.

After 15 minutes, a good drive by Jordan Crane, taken on by the impressive Geoff Parling, led to another Wasps infringement, from which Flood reduced the arrears to 3-5. 

Wasps were almost in for a second try straight after the restart.  Scott Hamilton’s attempted clearance was charged down but resolute Tigers defence eventually led to them winning a pressure relieving penalty.  Tigers made their way downfield and into the Wasps 22.  The move was starting to look threatening but as Flood attempted to engineer a try scoring opportunity, he miscued his crosskick to the corner and Lemi was able to clear.

A surprising statistic from the match is that over 20 minutes had been played before a scrum took place and when Tigers were penalised at said scrum, Van Gisbergen put Wasps 3-8 up.  This seemed to be a catalyst for a turning point in the game and Tigers began to assert control up front thereafter. The pack dismantled the Wasps scrum at the next set piece and although Flood was again off target with the resulting penalty, a marker had been laid down. 

Cipriani spurned a chance for an easy 3 points when running a penalty just after the half hour, the defence holding out and clearing the danger.  At this stage of the game, the wisdom of the decision was somewhat questionable but credit to the fly half for his willingness to try something different.

During a period of sustained pressure, the now rampaging forwards drove over the Wasps try line.  Mr Poite referred the decision to the video referee and much to the dismay of the home fans, the try was not awarded.   After several resets of the ensuing attacking scrum, right on the stroke of half time, the ball was spun wide through Lote Tuqiri and Hamilton for Johne Murphy to score in the corner of the Caterpillar Stand at the Aylestone Road end.  Flood converted to send Tigers into the interval leading 10-8.

Thankfully, common sense had won the day and the half time break was only 10 minutes.

Prop Tim Payne had been sent to the sin bin for an indiscretion at the scrum just before Leicester’s try and Tigers were keen to make the numerical advantage count.  Early in the second half, the pack shoved Wasps backwards a good 15 metres and won a penalty.  Flood put an inch perfect kick towards the corner and from this field position, Tigers worked through the phases before Tuqiri spotted a gap and turned on the power to go over for his first try in Leicester colours.  The grounding of the ball was suspect but there were few in the ground wearing red, white and green that were complaining.  The conversion made the score 17-8 and a further penalty extended the lead to 20-8 on 46 minutes.

Tigers were well on top by now and the forwards thoroughly dominant.  After Jeremy Staunton had put another penalty kick deep into Wasps territory, Tigers were again held up over the try line.  However, from the next scrum, Wasps infringed once too often for the referee’s liking and a penalty try was awarded.  Flood added the extras and a bonus point was now a real possibility.

Both sides began to make substitutions over the next few minutes.  Simon Shaw hobbled off for Wasps and former Tigers wing Tom Varndell took the field to a mixed reception from the Leicester crowd.  He would not have been too happy about dropping the first pass that came his way and the booing on his introduction from some of those who would have so recently cheered him was somewhat disappointing.

Wasps looked sure to score when they moved the ball across the pitch in Leicester’s 22.  Tim Payne was in the act of dropping over the line when a last ditch tackle by Dan Cole dislodged the ball from his grasp and ensured that no points were conceded by Tigers in the second half. 

Shortly after the hour, a typical Ben Youngs break created space for Tuqiri to step on the gas and score his second try, thus securing the much valued bonus point.  The ex-Wallaby winger had showed touches of his undoubted class before this game and is beginning to look like the world class player he is, possessing the great twin attributes of pace and power.

There was no coming back from here, even for a side of Wasps’ ability.  Flood’s conversion took the score to 34-8 and the Welford Road faithful were ecstatic.

Few Leicester fans would have been brave enough to predict such a score against Wasps but having waited so long for a victory over their great rivals, the margin of the win was sweet indeed.

There were many high points from a Tigers perspective.  The backs were given a solid platform and took their chances well.  The pack was impressive throughout and utterly dominated the Wasps front eight.  Crane got through his usual prodigious amount of work and Geoff Parling was not only to the fore in the loose but imperious at the restart, claiming the ball cleanly and athletically on numerous occasions.  Pick of the bunch however was young Dan Cole, who has put in some impressive performances over the last few weeks and looks to be developing into a great prospect.

So Tigers finished the day top of the league on 41points.  With several players due back from enforced breaks, hopefully the squad will be well equipped for the second half of the season if they can maintain a level of consistency and have better luck on the injury front.

Despite the weather, this was a hugely entertaining game and a superb all round performance by Tigers.  The majority of the 24000 crowd may just have gone home feeling a little warmer than they were at 3.15pm!

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon

Related Articles:

• Christmas Sale
• Clermont - Ugly or pretty ?