Tigers returned home empty-handed after a 22-12 defeat in the first game following the end of Cockerill’s nine-game matchday coaching ban and the director of rugby said: “It was always going to be difficult with players missing but, saying that, we could have played better. The team we put out were better than that.
“We had opportunities to put pressure on them but made errors which cost us and I thought we gave them a pretty soft try.
“Those things cost you in tight games in those conditions. You need to be very precise when you have your opportunities.
“We got back into it and we could have taken advantage of territory at times but didn’t. We had chances to make the game a lot tighter but errors cost us again.
“The weather conditions were very tough and they probably managed it a bit better than us.”
Cockerill gave a first league start to Terrence Hepetema and Owen Williams, and welcomed back prop Marcos Ayerza for his first appearance of the season, while Pablo Matera made his Tigers debut from the bench in the closing stages of the game.
Tigers trailed 13-9 at half-time, with fly-half Williams kicking three penalties in reply to a try from Christian Wade and eight points from Goode.
In the second half Goode added two drop goals just a minute apart and then kicked a long-range penalty to deny Tigers a losing bonus point after another Williams kick had brought the score back to 19-12.
“There was a bit of inexperience in the team, but you cannot be too hard on the squad with the players we had missing,” Cockerill added.
“No excuses, though, we came with a side to play better than that. We just need to be more precise and make the most of those opportunities in the game.
“We didn’t pick up any more injuries, which is one positive from the day. Now we have a big game at home to Quins next week and we will work hard this week to get ready for that.”
