The starting line-up echoed the need of a well-deserved rest for many key players although a number of those still graced the bench, in case they would be needed in the latter stages of this tough encounter.

It was Ian Humphrey's first start for the first team this season and with considerable supporter criticism of Andy Goode (of late), he had a great deal to prove to the packed home crowd.

Tigers took the early lead with Sam Vesty scoring the first try of the match on the day he was awarded his 100th Tigers cap. Vesty, the fourth generation of his family to don the famous stripes, went over in the corner after the home side were awarded a 5m scrum from an Aaron Mauger kick after seven minutes of play. Fly half Ian Humphrey's slotted through the conversion in blustery wind conditions.

Tigers kept up the pressure for the next fifteen minutes but Irish fly-half Geraghty helped the visitors gain territory with some useful breaks. Their only try came in the 24th minute with the Armitage brothers working together to give newcomer Tagicakibau (Martin Ballard struggled with that announcement!) going over in the corner. Delon Armitage slotted a penalty through a few minutes later to give the visitors the lead, albeit briefly.

Tigers second try of the day came in the 39th minute with a lovely grubber kick by Sam Vesty, collected and crashed over the line by Fijian Seru Rabeni. Tigers lead by 15 points to 11 at the break.

Along with the usual array of half-time entertainment and announcements, this week Tigers regulars were treated to a special presentation by the club, to veteran announcer and club favourite, Tudor Thomas. Tudor became one of only a handful of people named an Honorary Life Member and was, uncharacteristically, left practically lost for words at the presentation. Tudor, we still miss your ssshhhhhhh-ing over the PA at Welford Road.

Tigers came back after half-time, playing into the wind, but managed to cross the line for a third time after 56 minutes. A penalty was kicked to touch rather than go for the posts, and the ensuing 5 metre-line lineout was collected and driven over the line by prop-forward Martin Castrogiovanni.

Irish full-back Delon Armitage reduced the gap to just three points with two penalties in quick succession, giving the home side the proverbial kick up the rear to increase the pressure in the final quarter of the game. Tom Croft the lanky flanker/eight/winger flew down the pitch in a moment of individual brilliance to earn Tigers the much needed scoring position. Tigers stole the ensuing Irish line-out and when the visitors conceded two penalties on their own five-metre line, the plucky Tigers opted for the scrum both times. Tigers sealed the victory with their bonus-point winning try. Veteran prop Julian White surged over the line to score his first try in Tigers colours, in the Guinness Premiership.

Tigers held on to their lead in the dying minutes of the game to win by 25 points to 17.

TigerChick's man of the match: Louis Deacon, for superb leadership.

Leicester Tigers:S Vesty; J Murphy, D Hipkiss, A Mauger, S Rabeni (T Varndell 49-55min, 69min); I Humphreys, C Laussucq (F Murphy 75min); B Stankovich (J White 37min), M Davies (B Kayser 62min), M Castrogiovanni, L Deacon (capt), M Wentzel, B Deacon, J Crane, T Croft.

London Irish:D Armitage; T Ojo, G Tiesi, S Mapusua (capt, R Thorpe 69min), S Tagicakibau; S Geraghty, P Hodgson; C Dermody (J Leguizamon 78min), D Paice, R Skuse (T Lea'aetoa 58min), N Kennedy, J Hudson, D Danaher, P Murphy, S Armitage.

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