By A&L Stand Tiger (Age 32½)
October 3 2006

I wasn’t sure how to feel about this Saturday evening EDF pool match against Gwent Dragons. Despite Pat Howard’s opinion and the RFU’s assertions, I’m not sure about the worth of this competition with its minimum of three games in an already overcrowded fixture list. However, as I hadn’t seen my beloved Tigers play since the encouraging season opener against Sale, any chance to see them was welcome.

A good crowd (officially 16,057) gathered at Welford road at 5.30 pm in the bright evening sunshine. Despite the number of spectators there wasn’t a lot of ‘atmosphere’ around the ground; perhaps reflecting the relative importance of this competition in the minds of the average Tigers fan. Neither were there many Dragons fans in evidence. However, I was looking forward to seeing Jordan Crane play and the return of Lloyd, Alex Tuilagi, and Ollie Smith, and the crowd were treated to an entertaining encounter that, although lacking tension for much of the match, offered up some of the aspects of play that makes rugby union so alluring.

Tigers started off the better and a pattern formed that was to be repeated throughout the match with the Tigers pack gaining an advantage over their opposite numbers. This early pressure led to Dragons conceding two kickable penalties that were converted by Paul Burke. A good confidence building start for Burke. A little more precision in Tigers play may have lead to tries rather than penalties but the break through came in the 18th minute. A bullocking 40-yard run by Big Jim in which he combined well with Ollie Smith before Johnny Murphy appeared on his shoulder to take the final pass to score a well worked and deserved try that stretched Tigers lead to 13-0 following an easy conversion by Burke. Murphy looks to have the makings a very good back three player and perhaps a natural successor to his namesake? Big Jim impressed throughout the match both with some notable runs with ball in hand as well as good grunt and grind in the rucks and mauls and plenty of secure takes in the line-out.

There then followed a quiet period in which neither side threatened much. Tigers heaped pressure on Dragons through the forwards, particularly in the scrums where “Fidel” Castrogiovanni was giving his opposite number a good going over that would bare fruit later on. However, for now Tigers were unable to capitalise on their position. When Dragons did get the ball they tried to get the egg to the outside but their work was too lateral and Tigers defence coped comfortably until the 25th minute. From a lineout Craig Warlow linked with Nathan Brew who found his brother Aled on the left wing. Fortunately the cover was there and Tigers were able to bundle Brew into touch five metres from the line.

Tigers replied through another thunderous run from Hamilton which, but for a poor pass, would have lead to another try. The Dragons counter-attacked, first through Luke Charteris and then Kevin Morgan, and eventually Leicester were caught off-side; the resulting penalty converted by Warlow to finally get Dragons on the score sheet. During this period Burke had sustained a blood injury and so was replaced by Ian Humphreys. Unfortunately for the Irishman his first notable contribution was to have a unwise forced pass intercepted by Scott Williams who ran in from 30 metres to score the easiest of tries. The conversion by Warlow drew Dragons to within 3 points of Tigers. This was now a crucial period in the game. A further Dragons score would have boosted their confidence and could have led to a much tighter game. Thankfully the soft try galvanised the Tigers pack which drove the ball into Gwent’s 22. James Harris was yellow-carded, for hands in the ruck, reducing the visitors to 14 men. Tigers laid siege to Dragons line forcing two successive penalties as Gwent deliberately collapsed the scrum. From the third effort Tigers were driving the Dragons pack back over their line when they capitulated again and referee Barnes awarded a penalty try. Much back slapping ensued in the forwards. Tiger went into half-time with a 20-10 lead.

Leicester began the second half as they ended the first, and were unlucky not to score a further push over try from a scrum. It was a forward that scored Tigers next try. However, this score resulted from good work in the back. A Hipkiss break through the middle lead to several phases before Lloyd off-loaded to Buckland lurking on the wing to touch down. Burke converted to make it 27-10 to Tigers.

The hosts visibly relaxed and started to play some of their best rugby. Alex Tuilagi contributed with several good breaks. Smith and Hipkiss combined well, often switching positions to confuse their opposition. However, once Daryl Gibson replaced Smith in the 51st minute a new impetus was given to the backs play, making several incisive runs through the Dragons midfield.

More pressure on Warlow’s replacement Ceri Sweeney from Moody & Jennings lead to the fly-half to slice his clearance to the twenty-two. The line-out was tapped down by Louis Deacon (who had replaced Big Jim) to Shane Jennings who sprinted through the non-existent Dragons blindside defence to score in the 64th minute; Tigers 34-10 ahead. Dragons then responded with a try of their own through the pace of Kevin Morgan who touched down in the left-hand corner following good work by Aled Brew; converted by Sweeney to make it 34-17. It was then left to Humphreys to make amends for his earlier mistake to waltz over in the last minute to score a try which he converted himself to close the score at Tiger 41 – Dragon 17.

This was a good win by Tigers that gives them an excellent chance to progress in the competition, particularly if they can take this form away to Worcester and Northampton. Lloyd brought experience and much needed know-how to the back-line. He even had the energy to try and help out the touch judge when he wasn’t sure where to position the line-out. Frank Murphy performed well when he replaced Bemand (who had a competent game) in the 64th minute demonstrating a quick flat pass that released the backs in the space required. However the main plaudits should go to the forwards. The back row looked well balanced with the return of Jennings and Moody performing well at blindside. One passage of note actually saw Moody run around, rather than through, an opposition player when chasing a re-start. Is this a new, more cautious Lewis we ask? The whole of front row performed well with Buckland finding his jumpers in the line-out and Fidel and Ayerza crunched the Dragons props all game. However my man of the Match was ‘Big Jim” Hamilton who pressed his claim for the starting number 5 jersey throughout his time on the pitch.

An honourable mention should go to the referee who didn’t feature too much in the match. In all this was a good performance by Tigers but better will be needed in order to win either of the domestic competitions.

The facts (unknowingly supplied by Nick Cain of The Sunday Times)

The Teams:
Leicester Dragons
15 J. Murphy Kevin Morgan
14 Leon Lloyd Gareth Chapman
13 Dan Hipkiss Nathian Brew
12 Ollie Smith Scott Williams
11 Alesana Tuilagi Aled Brew
10 Paul Burke Craig Warlow
9 Scott Bemand G. Daper
1 Marcos Ayerza David Maddocks
2 James Buckland Ben Daly
3 Martin Castrogiovanni Lee Harrison
4 Leo Cullen ( Capt.) Bryn Griffiths
5 James Hamilton Luke Charteris
6 Lewis Moody Andrew Hall
7 Shane Jennings James Harris
8 Jordan Crane Nic Fitisemanu
Replacements:
George Chuter Kieran Crawford
Julian White Rhys Thomas
Brett Deacon Michael Owen
Louis Deacon Colin Charvis
Ian Humphreys Gareth Cooper
Daryl Gibson Ceri Sweeney
Frank Murphy Richard Fussell

Refereee: W. Barnes


Scoring

Leicester 41
Tries: J. Murphy 18, penalty try 40, Buckland 42, Jennings 64, Humphreys 80
Conversions: Burke (3), Humphreys (2). Penalties: Burke (2)

Dragons 17
Tries: Williams 36, Morgan 66
Conversions: Warlow, Sweeney. Penalties: Warlow