Leicester Tigers have fallen to Sale Sharks at Mattioli Woods Welford Road in round two of the Gallagher Premiership, an improved performance from Tigers not enough to overcome last year’s finalists, the final score 24-17.
Tigers' Head coach Dan McKellar was pleased with his side’s effort in front of a healthy home crowd, Tigers still without 13 international players.
Tigers took an early lead through fullback Mike Brown, the veteran picking a hole on Sale’s defence 10 metres from the line.
That try seemed to spark the visitors and after generating quick ball at the breakdown, Tom Roebuck found a seam in the middle of Leicester’s defence to score under the posts.
Sale looked to have scored a second out wide, after a break from Rob du Preez set up Tom O'Flaherty but, the TMO intervened after spotting a knock-on in the build-up forced by Kyle Hatherell and the decision was reviewed and overturned.
Sharks continued to press for their second however, and after three referrals to the TMO, Ersnt van Rhyn was awarded the try. Rob Du Preez’s second conversion made it 14-5.
Straight off the kick-off, Leicester earned a penalty deep inside Sale’s half. The forwards went to the corner, generated the momentum and although Sharks stopped the initial drive, pressure turned to points as captain Hanro Liebenberg snuck under a couple of defenders and willed his way over the line.
Jamie Shillcock converted to make it 14-12 at the break.
Sale were first on the board after halftime, Du Preez knocking over a penalty, leaving the game poised for a gruelling finish at 17-12.
Tigers struck next through Ollie Hassell-Collins, the winger finishing brilliantly in the left hand corner off a great pass from replacement scrum-half Joe Powell.
The pivotal moments would come in the last quarter-of-an-hour. Shillcock produced a brilliant kick in the shadow of his own goalposts that resulted in a 50:22, giving Tigers the feed.
Leicester couldn’t convert however, and Sale broke from inside their half. The visitors won a scrum and Du Preez produced some magic to dance over for the winning try.
Tigers through everything at Sale’s defence in the dying moments looking to force a draw but the telling pass never came and Sharks closed out the win, 24-17.
Commentary
TIGERS FIGHTBACK FALLS SHORT
Leicester throw everything at Sale for six minutes after the 80 minute mark but cannot get through the Sharks defence, with the visitors holding on to record a seven-point, 17-24, win over Tigers.
SUB | LEICESTER TIGERS
A final change made by Dan McKellar, in the 76th minute, with Charlie Atkinson brought on in place of Phil Cokanasiga.
CON | SALE SHARKS
With less than 10 minutes on the clock, Sale lead by seven (17-24) after Rob du Preez converts his own try.
TRY | SALE SHARKS
The Sharks take back the lead after Rob du Preez finds a way through the Tigers line.
65
SHILLCOCK HITS THE MARK
A huge defensive effort from the Tigers, deep in their own half, is backed up by a 50:22 from Jamie Shillcock to ease the pressure and win back possesion.
TRY | O11IE HASSELL-COLLINS
We are all tied up at 17-17 on the hour mark after O11ie Hassell-Collins burns the Sharks edge defence to cross out wide.
SUBS | LEICESTER TIGERS
Dan McKellar brings on three of his bench in Nic Dolly, Matt Rogerson and Joe Powell.
52
TIGERS DENIED OUT WIDE
After a TMO check, a potential Tigers try out wide is denied despite an incredible effort from Ollie Hassell-Collins with limited space to get to a grubber in behind the Sharks line.
PEN | SALE SHARKS
First points of the second half are Sale's with a penalty from in front for Rob du Preez taking the Sharks out to a five-point lead after 45 minutes.
SECOND HALF GETS GOING
We are back in action at Mattioli Woods Welford Road!
TIGHT ONE IN LEICESTER
Just two points in it after two tries apiece in the first half at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, with only a conversion separating the teams as they head into the changing rooms.
38
TIGERS HOLD ON
Sale find space down the righthand touchline before chipping ahead and regathering, only to be brought down and penalised after a last ditch effort from the Leicester defence.
CON | JAMIE SHILLCOCK
Jamie Shillcock converts Leicester's second to cut the deficit to two, 12-14, with four minutes remaining in the first half.
TRY | HANRO LIEBENBERG
Immediate reaction from the home side after winning a penalty at the breakdown immediately after the re-start, kicking for the corner and crashing their way over a few phases from the lineout through the skipper, Hanro Liebenberg!
CON | SALE SHARKS
Sale lead by nine, 5-14, after Rob du Preez converts their second of the game.
TRY | SALE SHARKS
After being denied twice already, a third referral to the TMO comes up with points for Sale as Ersnt van Rhyn is deemed to have got across the chalk.
20
REFEREE OVERRULED
Sale look to have scored a second out wide, after a break from Rob du Preez sets up Tom O'Flaherty. But, the TMO intervenes after spotting a knock-on in the build-up forced by Kyle Hatherell and the decision is reviewed, overturned and a scrum will be packed - to Tigers - back near halfway.
SUB | LEICESTER TIGERS
Guy Porter has succumbed to a leg knock, after trying to run it off, and been replaced in the midfield by Phil Cokanasiga.
15
TERRITORIAL BATTLE
Both sides looking for territory in the early stages here at Mattioli Woods Welford Road through the boot.
CON | SALE SHARKS
Sale take the lead by two, 5-7, after a successful conversion attempt from Rob du Preez.
TRY | SALE SHARKS
Sale have their first of the match, through Tom Roebuck, after some impressive interplay between the Sharks in attack through the middle of the field.
TRY | MIKE BROWN
Tigers break the Sharks defence through Mike Brown down the left hand side in attack, on the back of a patient build-up by the home side.
5
EARLY CHANCE FOR LEICESTER
The home side with a lineout, 5m out from the Sharks line, after back to back penalties from Sale allow Leicester the chance to kick for touch.
UNDERWAY IN LEICESTER
We are underway at Mattioli Woods Welford Road!