History repeats as Tigers get mauled
By Mike Hill
September 1 2002
Once more the season started with a surprise defeat for the champions as Tigers were outplayed by last season's bottom club, Leeds Tykes. Leeds played with a sustained ferocity that Leicester failed to match and ultimately paid the price.
By Mike Hill
September 1 2002
Once more the season started with a surprise defeat for the champions as Tigers were outplayed by last season's bottom club, Leeds Tykes. Leeds played with a sustained ferocity that Leicester failed to match and ultimately paid the price.
The Tykes just seemed that little bit more hungry and executed their game plan to perfection. Leeds hassled and harried the Tigers all afternoon with Mark Regan frequently crossing the line between aggression and thuggery. The Tykes pack matched the Tigers for the majority of the game and successfully disrupted their lineout and forward drives. That is to take nothing away from the Yorkshire side who showed their creative side with two excellent tries for last seasons top scorer Dan Scarborough.
It was one of those days when nothing goes right the kind that most teams visiting Welford Road seem to endure. Tigers barely won a restart all afternoon desperately missing Lewis Moody's chasing ability. Apart from Austin's try every promising break ended with a knock on or a penalty for holding on. There were some good chances but the finishing was poor and that is what ultimately decided the game.
Chris White seemed very inconsistent with his refereeing. How Ben Kay was binned but Regan stayed on I'll never know. White also seemed to think he was at a football match as the game lasted over 90 minutes despite few hold ups in play.
Leeds scored first in the match a good series of attacks leading to Dan Scarborough bursting through. The conversion was easy and Tykes led 7 -0. Tim Stimpson kicked a penalty before Braam Van Straaten replied to make it 10-3 at the interval. Tigers never really got into their stride and Leeds visibly grew in confidence. George Harder terrorised Tigers backline all afternoon with a (very big) hand in both tries.
The Tykes pack were not remotely overawed by Tigers much vaunted pack and Ben Kay seemed particularly riled all afternoon. His swipe at Regan put Tigers down to 14 men and I'm sure he'll be upset that he let the former Bath hooker wind him up. What followed was vintage backs to the wall stuff as Tigers conjured up a spell of possession that ultimately led to Austin's try in the right corner. With scores level at 13 points apiece the game was there for the taking but it was Leeds who finished the stronger scoring a long range penalty a drop goal and an injury try for none other than Mr Seaside town.
It wasn't all doom and gloom with a decent debut for Joseph Naufahu and an excellent return from injury by Ollie Smith. Ollie impressed throughout with his strong tackling and dynamic running and is my choice of man of the match just ahead of the consistently superb Tim Stimpson. Josh Kronfeld also had a good game.
I was slightly disappointed with the size of the crowd especially considering the large number of Tigers fans who made the trip. Headingley is a good venue for rugby and can accommodate over twenty thousand it would be a great atmosphere if one day the club could fill it. If Leeds can avoid injuries to their key players they have the team to achieve far more this season and hopefully the people of Leeds will turn out to watch.
It was one of those days when nothing goes right the kind that most teams visiting Welford Road seem to endure. Tigers barely won a restart all afternoon desperately missing Lewis Moody's chasing ability. Apart from Austin's try every promising break ended with a knock on or a penalty for holding on. There were some good chances but the finishing was poor and that is what ultimately decided the game.
Chris White seemed very inconsistent with his refereeing. How Ben Kay was binned but Regan stayed on I'll never know. White also seemed to think he was at a football match as the game lasted over 90 minutes despite few hold ups in play.
Leeds scored first in the match a good series of attacks leading to Dan Scarborough bursting through. The conversion was easy and Tykes led 7 -0. Tim Stimpson kicked a penalty before Braam Van Straaten replied to make it 10-3 at the interval. Tigers never really got into their stride and Leeds visibly grew in confidence. George Harder terrorised Tigers backline all afternoon with a (very big) hand in both tries.
The Tykes pack were not remotely overawed by Tigers much vaunted pack and Ben Kay seemed particularly riled all afternoon. His swipe at Regan put Tigers down to 14 men and I'm sure he'll be upset that he let the former Bath hooker wind him up. What followed was vintage backs to the wall stuff as Tigers conjured up a spell of possession that ultimately led to Austin's try in the right corner. With scores level at 13 points apiece the game was there for the taking but it was Leeds who finished the stronger scoring a long range penalty a drop goal and an injury try for none other than Mr Seaside town.
It wasn't all doom and gloom with a decent debut for Joseph Naufahu and an excellent return from injury by Ollie Smith. Ollie impressed throughout with his strong tackling and dynamic running and is my choice of man of the match just ahead of the consistently superb Tim Stimpson. Josh Kronfeld also had a good game.
I was slightly disappointed with the size of the crowd especially considering the large number of Tigers fans who made the trip. Headingley is a good venue for rugby and can accommodate over twenty thousand it would be a great atmosphere if one day the club could fill it. If Leeds can avoid injuries to their key players they have the team to achieve far more this season and hopefully the people of Leeds will turn out to watch.
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