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The GP Match Report Thread
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<blockquote data-quote="Bullitt" data-source="post: 58633"><p>10/3/06</p><p></p><p><strong>Tigers edge ***anic struggle</strong></p><p></p><p>Leicester Tigers 26 - 23 Leeds Tykes</p><p></p><p><img src="http://home.skysports.com/images/sports/Leicester/smith_dive.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p>Will Skinner grabbed a last-gasp try to rescue Leicester Tigers and break Leeds Tykes' hearts in a dramatic 26-23 victory at Welford Road.</p><p></p><p>Leicester have never lost a Premiership match at home to the Tykes, but that run looked set to end when Tom Biggs added to Justin Marshall's try to complete a marvellous comeback for the visitors.</p><p></p><p>However, the Tigers' pack drew breath for one more desperate drive towards the line, and Skinner crashed over for a barely deserved bonus-point triumph in their quest for a top four spot.</p><p></p><p>Leeds went into the contest as the form team, having taken seven more points than their opponents over the international period.</p><p>However, a lack of experience - summed up by the inclusion of Rotherham signing Lee Blackett, and a deficiency in strength always threatened to be their undoing, and so it ultimately proved.</p><p></p><p>Pat Howard's big decision ahead of the contest centred upon the selection of Austin Healey over Ross Broadfoot at fly half, and the England man got off to a nervy start, failing to find touch as Leeds grasped the early initiative.</p><p></p><p>The resulting attack led to an offside call against the impatient Alesana Tuilagi, and De Marigny gleefully accepted the offer of three points.</p><p></p><p>Nerves continued to affect Leicester's number 10 in the opening stages, and he committed the cardinal sin of missing touch from a penalty.</p><p></p><p>However, the rest of his teammates had not started so sloppily, and after building several phases inside the Tykes' 22, a powerful drive saw James Buckland sneak over for 7-3 inside the first 10 minutes.</p><p></p><p>Healey began to enjoy his spectator role behind the enormous Leicester pack, which once again drove its counterparts back up to halfway, allowing the dangerous Dan Hipkiss to attack the line at pace as the hosts exerted their authority in a dominant first half display.</p><p></p><p>Howard's men lacked a clinical edge in their Powergen Cup defeat to Wasps a week ago, but they rectified that problem against the Tykes, claiming a second score from Leeds possession.</p><p></p><p>Ben Kay was the man to steal the ball at the line-out, and Hipkiss quickly fed Sam Vesty whose run to the line was made all-too-easy by the visitors' painfully deep defence.</p><p></p><p>The line-out was fast becoming the Achilles heel for Leeds, who lost another throw to the towering Ben Kay, and from the resulting attack Blackett's inexperience was harshly exploited.</p><p></p><p>A simple pop-pass from Healey picked out the run of Ollie Smith superbly, and the British and Irish Lions exploded through the gap left between the Tykes' centres to extend Leicester's lead to 19-6.</p><p></p><p>An avalanche of tries threatened to arrive with the home side in the ascendancy, but it was Leeds who stabilised their effort before the break, and they nearly hauled themselves back into the contest through the constant prompting of Marshall.</p><p></p><p>However, the Tigers have conceded just 20 tries in the Premiership all season - the league's best defensive effort, and they displayed why by repelling the Yorkshiremen's concerted efforts on the half time whistle.</p><p></p><p>The visitors needed a fast response at the start of the second period, and they eventually got it, as De Marigny took three points at the second attempt.</p><p></p><p>Leeds' best chance was undoubtedly to try and control things in the tight, and whilst Rayno Gerber bolstered their resistance at the maul, they continued to struggle against Kay at the line-out.</p><p></p><p>However, Leicester's intensity seemed to be lacking as they went in search of a crucial bonus-point in the second half, and they struggled to gain consistent possession as the hour mark arrived.</p><p></p><p>Tuilagi came close to claiming the all-important fourth try midway through the second half, but his quick line-out just failed to travel the required five yards before he burst towards the line.</p><p></p><p>Leeds were in need of some inspiration if they were to pull the proverbial rabbit out of the hat, and they called on the returning England full back Iain Balshaw with 18 minutes left on the clock.</p><p></p><p>However, Marshall still seemed the most likely to unlock the door to the hosts' defence, and so it proved as he popped up in the right place to convert a succession of phases for the Tykes, touching down under the posts to surprisingly draw within three points at 19-16.</p><p></p><p>Tension suddenly surrounded Welford Road as the home crowd contemplated an unthinkable defeat in their pursuit of a top four place, and their fears were realised moments later.</p><p></p><p>It was time for Balshaw to make his impact, and as the irresistible Marshall sprayed the ball wide to Bell, Balshaw quickly flipped a passed onto Biggs who raced in at the corner. De Marigny's conversion swelled Tyke hopes by taking the score to 23-19, leaving Leicester just five minutes to mount a comeback.</p><p></p><p>A try was needed by Howard's men, and the crowd sensed that a catch-and-drive opportunity could still save the night for their heroes.</p><p></p><p>It was that man Healey who ended his night in better fashion than he started it by kicking into the corner, and a mammoth effort from both packs eventually climaxed with rapturous cheers, as Skinner claimed the try to break Leeds' hearts.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Bullitt, post: 58633"] 10/3/06 [b]Tigers edge ***anic struggle[/b] Leicester Tigers 26 - 23 Leeds Tykes [img]http://home.skysports.com/images/sports/Leicester/smith_dive.jpg[/img] Will Skinner grabbed a last-gasp try to rescue Leicester Tigers and break Leeds Tykes' hearts in a dramatic 26-23 victory at Welford Road. Leicester have never lost a Premiership match at home to the Tykes, but that run looked set to end when Tom Biggs added to Justin Marshall's try to complete a marvellous comeback for the visitors. However, the Tigers' pack drew breath for one more desperate drive towards the line, and Skinner crashed over for a barely deserved bonus-point triumph in their quest for a top four spot. Leeds went into the contest as the form team, having taken seven more points than their opponents over the international period. However, a lack of experience - summed up by the inclusion of Rotherham signing Lee Blackett, and a deficiency in strength always threatened to be their undoing, and so it ultimately proved. Pat Howard's big decision ahead of the contest centred upon the selection of Austin Healey over Ross Broadfoot at fly half, and the England man got off to a nervy start, failing to find touch as Leeds grasped the early initiative. The resulting attack led to an offside call against the impatient Alesana Tuilagi, and De Marigny gleefully accepted the offer of three points. Nerves continued to affect Leicester's number 10 in the opening stages, and he committed the cardinal sin of missing touch from a penalty. However, the rest of his teammates had not started so sloppily, and after building several phases inside the Tykes' 22, a powerful drive saw James Buckland sneak over for 7-3 inside the first 10 minutes. Healey began to enjoy his spectator role behind the enormous Leicester pack, which once again drove its counterparts back up to halfway, allowing the dangerous Dan Hipkiss to attack the line at pace as the hosts exerted their authority in a dominant first half display. Howard's men lacked a clinical edge in their Powergen Cup defeat to Wasps a week ago, but they rectified that problem against the Tykes, claiming a second score from Leeds possession. Ben Kay was the man to steal the ball at the line-out, and Hipkiss quickly fed Sam Vesty whose run to the line was made all-too-easy by the visitors' painfully deep defence. The line-out was fast becoming the Achilles heel for Leeds, who lost another throw to the towering Ben Kay, and from the resulting attack Blackett's inexperience was harshly exploited. A simple pop-pass from Healey picked out the run of Ollie Smith superbly, and the British and Irish Lions exploded through the gap left between the Tykes' centres to extend Leicester's lead to 19-6. An avalanche of tries threatened to arrive with the home side in the ascendancy, but it was Leeds who stabilised their effort before the break, and they nearly hauled themselves back into the contest through the constant prompting of Marshall. However, the Tigers have conceded just 20 tries in the Premiership all season - the league's best defensive effort, and they displayed why by repelling the Yorkshiremen's concerted efforts on the half time whistle. The visitors needed a fast response at the start of the second period, and they eventually got it, as De Marigny took three points at the second attempt. Leeds' best chance was undoubtedly to try and control things in the tight, and whilst Rayno Gerber bolstered their resistance at the maul, they continued to struggle against Kay at the line-out. However, Leicester's intensity seemed to be lacking as they went in search of a crucial bonus-point in the second half, and they struggled to gain consistent possession as the hour mark arrived. Tuilagi came close to claiming the all-important fourth try midway through the second half, but his quick line-out just failed to travel the required five yards before he burst towards the line. Leeds were in need of some inspiration if they were to pull the proverbial rabbit out of the hat, and they called on the returning England full back Iain Balshaw with 18 minutes left on the clock. However, Marshall still seemed the most likely to unlock the door to the hosts' defence, and so it proved as he popped up in the right place to convert a succession of phases for the Tykes, touching down under the posts to surprisingly draw within three points at 19-16. Tension suddenly surrounded Welford Road as the home crowd contemplated an unthinkable defeat in their pursuit of a top four place, and their fears were realised moments later. It was time for Balshaw to make his impact, and as the irresistible Marshall sprayed the ball wide to Bell, Balshaw quickly flipped a passed onto Biggs who raced in at the corner. De Marigny's conversion swelled Tyke hopes by taking the score to 23-19, leaving Leicester just five minutes to mount a comeback. A try was needed by Howard's men, and the crowd sensed that a catch-and-drive opportunity could still save the night for their heroes. It was that man Healey who ended his night in better fashion than he started it by kicking into the corner, and a mammoth effort from both packs eventually climaxed with rapturous cheers, as Skinner claimed the try to break Leeds' hearts. [/QUOTE]
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