Richard Cockerill said "it is all to play for now" after victory over Exeter Chiefs took Leicester Tigers into the top four of the Aviva Premiership table with just four rounds remaining.Tigers stretched their winning run to five league games with a hard-earned 25-18 triumph over the Chiefs in front of a capacity crowd at Welford Road on Saturday, with Geoff Parling scoring a try and Freddie Burns kicking the remaining 20 points.
“We had to win and we have done that,” said director of rugby Cockerill.
“It puts us in the top four for the first time this season with four games to go and we’re doing some good things.
“After 18 rounds we’re in the top four and we just have to keep improving bit by bit, keep getting guys the back on their feet, and it is all to play for.”
Burns kicked four penalties in the first half, but the defensive strength of the team at the other end of the field allowed the home side to take a 12-3 lead into the break.
The Chiefs enjoyed lengthy periods of possession in the Tigers half and in one attack recycled through 28 phases of play, only to meet a determined defence.
“To be 12-3 up after the pressure we were under was great,” said Cockerill.
“The effort was huge to keep picking yourself up and keep making your shots in defence. That is a big positive. Fair play to the boys, they worked hard. They want to win and play for each other, and that is a good sign.
“There were two good sides out there who wanted to play and it was a decent game. Both sides defended very well.
“We got the penalties in attack and you just have to keep taking the points. You have to build your score.
“It’s a good win. We’ve beaten a team who started the day above us, we looked sharp at times, we played some good stuff and we knew Exeter wouldn’t lie down.”
Tigers are back in action on Saturday, April 11 with a trip to second-placed Saracens. The nexst home game is against London Welsh on Saturday, April 25. Tickets are on sale now. Call in at the ticket office, phone 0116 319 8888 (option 2) or book online by clicking here.
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'All to play for' with four rounds remaining
30 March 2015 10:11 AM
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