That pride gained two great big boosts in the last two matches, even in the most testing circumstances.
A week ago there was the defeat by Saracens. Conceding 50 points at home is unheard of, even with players missing and against the defending Aviva Premiership champions. But there was still a highlight worthy of this great club, even in the darkest of days.
Players and supporters alike felt shell-shocked by the end but, as happens in this great game at every level, the players acknowledged each other’s efforts at the final whistle, respect was paid to the victors and commiserations offered to the vanquished.
And then the players trooped towards the tunnel, Tigers leaving Sarries to their celebrations on the pitch.
What happened next spoke volumes for the levels of support for this club as the supporters on the terrace gathered and broke into spontaneous song. There were some puzzled looks on the faces of the players, but the volume was maintained “Ti-gers Ti-gers Ti-gers” and the fans let them know in the best possible way that we are all in this together. We’re with you every step of the way.
Support, of course, merits payback, just as the glorious wins and the match-winning moments deserve high praise.
And The Tig feels the players paid back in their own terms in the intensity of the performance just seven days later at Bath.
The Recreation Ground has its ghosts of fallen comrades even when you go there with your frontline squad. Taking the trip west just a week after such a disappointment at home could have spelled trouble.
But from the opening whistle, Tigers threw heart, blood and guts into the occasion. From Boris in the front row, to Niall Morris at full-back and all points in between, and from the replacements who gave their all, the team did as Cockers promised – “They fronted up, they got stuck in, they made their tackles and they got up and tackled again”. They also looked to play on the front foot when the moment allowed and got on the front foot for much of the game.
It was a day of toil in blazing sunshine, a day Tigers led for the majority of the 80 minutes and a day we still could have won right at the death.
It was not to be, it hurts still, but the effort said everything about attitude in adversity. One point was barely enough reward.
