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Report | Tigers take a hard-fought bonus point from tough Kingsholm visit

Figure image

Leicester Tigers take a hard fought try bonus point away from a high-scoring contest at Kingsholm. Four tries from Premiership debutants and an opening score from Charlotte Fray saw Tigers well in the contest early but eventually the champions showed their mettle and pulled away in the second half.

Tigers get an early slice of luck as the hosts kick long from kick off and we have a scrum on halfway.

The early possession is all Tigers. Amanda Swartz and Zainab Alema carry well before a miss pass from Sarah Nicholas hits Jordan Russell who makes an early break.

Moments later, the same move brings the opener. Nicholas hits a lovely flat pass and Russell powers through one defender, then the covering tackle before offloading to Charlotte Fray.

The second row puts on afterburners and dives over for the first PWR try of the season.

The next ten minutes sees all hands to the pump as Tigers work hard in defence. Under relentless carries from the hosts, prop El Perry is held up well before Tigers absorb constant pressure. This is initially alleviated when Russell, exemplary on both sides of the ball thus far, rips the ball away and wins a vital turnover, giving Nicholas a chance to clear the lines.

Once again, the Tiegrs attack is fluid, slick hands finding holes in the defence and building up to halfway. Eventually winning a penalty, the ball in is misguided and a penalty sends play back the other way.

Gloucester kick long and we’re Tigers are defending on the five metre line once again. The hard work in pre-season shows as another five minutes of carries is repelled, with another try held up over the line.

However, eventually the pressure tells, a rolling maul rumbles over from short range levelling the scores.

Tigers are up for the fight though and fire straight back. Winning a turnover following kick off, the visitors break up field and keep the play tight, half-backs Amy Relf and Nicholas controlling the tempo nicely.

Eventually, from five metres out, Alema drives over for a score on her Premiership Women’s Rugby debut.

The game has firmly opened up now and it’s the hosts turn to come roaring back as they work their way to the line before a second maul try levels things again.

A Gloucester-Hartpury yellow card for a deliberate knock on gives Tigers a chance to attack and they seize it, taking the lead for the third time in this match.

It’s Evie Wills who gets the score, her second try in two matches and a score also on her Premiership debut.

Slick hands from a half-break sees Amy Relf steam through, her looping ball finding Leah Heath who offloads to Swartz to hit Wills on the touchline to run in unopposed.

The champions flex their title credentials as the half nears the end, two stylish tries from fullback Emma Sing before a final try is driven over from close range.

Half time: Gloucester-Hartpury 33 – 17 Leicester Tigers

The second half sees the hosts seize the game by the scruff of the neck.

Early penalties give the hosts the early advantage but a drive over is once again held up admirably by three Tigers players getting under the ball.

From the drop-out, Gloucester look to attack wide but Elin Beaver nips in for a canny intercept and alleviates the early pressure.

Minutes later the wing finishes a delightfully worked score, a third try today from a Premiership debutant.

This all starts from fullback as Swartz fields a high ball calmly and steps right through the onrushing defence, breaking free.

Swartz is thumped by a covering Sing but great support from the tracking forwards means Relf can pass swiftly from the base. It’s full liquid rugby now as Russell offloads out of one tackle to Morgan Richardson and then receives the ball straight back on the loop from Richardson’s offload, going wide for Beaver to touch down in the corner.

The summer signing from Worcester gets her second try of the game late into the second half, a brilliantly taken intercept (almost a mirror of her score against Loughborough Lightning two weeks prior) allowing the wing to speed over from halfway.

Between these two scores, however, the game had long been put to bed.

Four scores in succession bookended by Beaver’s double saw Gloucester-Hartpury amass the 57 points they would finish the game with.

Emma Sing, named player of the match, grabbed one and created a one more through her thunderous right boot, breaks in midfield through tiring shoulders the cause of the other double.

A well-contested final ten minutes saw neither side able to break the other down and the match finishes with a win for the reigning Champions.

Final score: Gloucester-Hartpury 57 – 29 Leicester Tigers


Leicester Tigers will return to Mattioli Woods Welford Road for three successive Premiership home games, starting from Sunday, October 20!

All three games are on sale now and you can see the full details below:

  • Leicester Tigers v Harlequins | Sunday, October 20 (kick off: 5.45pm)
  • Leicester Tigers v Trailfinders Women | Sunday, November 3 (kick off: 3pm)
  • Leicester Tigers v Bristol Bears | Saturday, November 9 (kick off: 12pm)

Alternatively, make the obvious choice with a 2024/25 Season Ticket.

Guaranteeing entry to every single regular season home match in Premiership Women's Rugby, a season ticket offers the best value and most convenient way to support Leicester Tigers women.

With a host of exclusive benefits and a FREE option for Under-12s, make the obvious choice today!

Match Details

HT ScoreHalf Time Score

GLO 33-17 LEI

FT ScoreFull Time Score

GLO 57-29 LEI

Attendance

Not available

Referee

Michael Hudson

Gloucester-Hartpury Women RFC
Gloucester-Hartpury Women RFC
57

Full Time

Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers
29
Gloucester-Hartpury Women RFC
T
C
T
C
T
T
C
T
C
T
C
T
T
C
KOHTFT
Leicester Tigers
T
C
T
T
C
T
T
C
T
T

Match Stats

Gloucester-Hartpury Women RFC
Leicester Tigers
Possession
49%
51%
Territory
62%
38%
Penalties Conceded
8
14
Yellow Cards
1
1
Red Cards
0
0
Tackles Won
150/165 91%
122/158 77%
Scrums Won
6/6 100%
6/6 100%
Lineouts Won
12/14 86%
7/9 78%

Player Stats

Gloucester-Hartpury Women RFC
Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers
TCDP
15Amanda Swartz
14Charlotte Daley
13Evie Wills1T
12Katie Childs
11Elin Beaver2T
10Sarah Nicholas1C
9Amy Relf
1Zainab Alema1T
2Nikki Simpson
3Jade Jones
4Leah Heath
5Charlotte Fray1T
6Jordan Russell
7Morgan Richardson
8Roisin McBrien
16Rowann Sinclair
17Ellie Smith
18Nadine Vincent
19Eeva Pohjanheimo
20Tiana Gordon
21Jenny Maxwell
22Celia Quansah
23Emma Mundy1C

Commentary

FULL-TIME

After a strong fight from Leicester, and an action-packed game, the full-time score sits at:

GLOUCESTTER-HARTPURY 57 - LEICESTER TIGERS 29 

TRY | ELIN BEAVER

Elin Beaver makes her second try of her Premiership debut. 

CONVERSION | GLOUCESTER-HARTPURY

Another successful conversion by Emma Sing from Gloucester.

TRY | GLOUCESTER-HARTPURY

The hosts make a fourth successive try, scoring from a distance after a break in the midfield.

TRY | GLOUCESTER-HARTPURY

Gloucester sees three tries in quick succession, widening the gap.

CONVERSION | GLOUCESTER-HARTPURY

Emma Sing secures the conversion for Gloucester-Hartpury. 

TRY | GLOUCESTER-HARTPURY

A back to back try from Gloucester-Hartpury.

TRY | GLOUCESTER-HARTPURY

Gloucesterr quickly takes revenge, securing another try. 

CONVERSION MISSED | LEICESTER

Leicester sees an unsuccessful conversion by Sarah Nicholas.

TRY | ELIN BEAVER

Amanda Swartz makes a dynamite breakthrough, securing a chance for Elin Beaver to make a try.

SUBSTITUTION | CHARLOTTE FRAY

Charlotte Fray comes off, with Eeva Pohjanheimo substituting onto the pitch.

THE SECOND HALF IS UNDERWAY

The second half begins at Kingsholm.

HOSTS LEAD AT HALF TIME

Tigers took the lead on three successive occasions but the champions experience has shone through, going into half time off the back of three successive scores.

Gloucester-Hartpury 33 - 17 Leicester Tigers

CONVERSION | GLOUCESTER-HARTPURY

Emma Sing adds the extras, leaving Leicester behind at the break.

TRY | GLOUCESTER-HARTPURY

With half-time fast approaching, our hosts secure another try.

CONVERSION | GLOUCESTER-HARTPURY

Another successful conversion from Emma Sing.

TRY | GLOUCESTER-HARTPURY

Gloucester breaks through Leicester's line, seeing another successful try.

TRY | GLOUCESTER-HARTPURY

Another try from Gloucester-Hartpury, with a successful conversion from Emma Sing, giving the hosts the lead.

TRY | EVIE WILLS

Evie Wills strolls in for the score, providing Leicester with another try.

YELLOW CARD | GLOUCESTER-HARTPURY

Deliberate knock on from Gloucester sees a yellow card.

CONVERSION MISSED| GLOUCESTER-HARTPURY

Conversion missed by Gloucester, leaving the score at 12-12.

TRY | GLOUCESTER-HARTPURY

Gloucester sees their second try of the game, providing an even score. 

CONVERSON | LEICESTER

Sarah Nicholas adds the extras.

TRY | LEICESTER

Zainab Alema powers over, securing Leicester's second try of the game.

SUBSTITUTION LEICESTER

Jade Jones is off, with Nadine Vincent coming onto the pitch.

CONVERSON | GLOUCESTER-HARTPURY

Emma Sing from Gloucester adds the extras.

TRY | GLOUCESTER-HARTPURY

Gloucester's maul rumbles over, providing the hosts with an opening score.

SUBSTITUTION

Roisin McBrien is off, with Tiana Gordon coming on as her substitution.

CONVERSION | LEICESTER

Sarah Nicholas misses conversion.

TRY | CHARLOTTE FRAY

Tigers enjoying an early possession, pushing Gloucester's line back, toward their own 22. 

Jordan Russell breaks free, offloads to Charlotte Fray who secures the first try of the game. 

KICK-OFF

We are underway in our opening PWR fixture away to Gloucester-Hartpury.

-5

LATE CHANGE

Natasha Jones has been ruled out with a late knock, meaning Sarah Nicholas will start at fly half instead. 

Celia Quash enters the replacements. 

-15

FIFTEEN MINUTES TO GO!

There's just fifteen minutes until Tigers' Premiership Women's Rugby opener away to Gloucester-Hartpury.

Settle into the sofa and boot up TNT Sports, take your seat at Kingsholm or stay with us right here on Matchday Live for all the updates, it's almost time for rugby!


Tigers Lineup

Starting XV

Amanda Swartz
15
Amanda Swartz
Charlotte Daley
14
Charlotte Daley
Evie Wills
13
Evie Wills
Katie Childs
12
Katie Childs
Elin Beaver
11
Elin Beaver
Sarah Nicholas
10
Sarah Nicholas
Amy Relf
9
Amy Relf
Zainab Alema
1
Zainab Alema
Nikki Simpson
2
Nikki Simpson
Jade Jones
3
Jade Jones
Leah Heath
4
Leah Heath
Charlotte Fray
5
Charlotte Fray
Jordan Russell
6
Jordan Russell
Morgan Richardson
7
Morgan Richardson
Roisin McBrien
8
Roisin McBrien

Replacements

Rowann Sinclair
16
Rowann Sinclair
Ellie Smith
17
Ellie Smith
Nadine Vincent
18
Nadine Vincent
Eeva Pohjanheimo
19
Eeva Pohjanheimo
Tiana Gordon
20
Tiana Gordon
Jenny Maxwell
21
Jenny Maxwell
Celia Quansah
22
Celia Quansah
Emma Mundy
23
Emma Mundy

Opposition Lineup

Starting XV

15
Emma Sing
14
Charlotte Woodman
13
Pip Hendy
12
Millie Hyett
11
Rachel Lund
10
Ellie Green
9
Bianca Blackburn
1
Ellena Perry
2
Amy Dale
3
Ranni Samuda
4
Beth Stafford
5
Gwen Crabb
6
Steph Else
7
Tabitha Copson
8
Gwennan Hopkins

Replacements

16
Lucy Simpson
17
Alisha Smith
18
Megan Lewis
19
Robyn Davies
20
Gemma Bell
21
Megan Davies
22
Charlie Mai-Manns
23
Jade Shekells

Preview | Tigers facing champions in Round 1

Figure image

The Premiership Women's Rugby season begins for Leicester Tigers on Sunday (October 6) away to Gloucester-Hartpury.

Tom Hudson, who took over the Head Coach role in the summer, has named a matchday squad featuring eight players who will make their PWR debuts at Kingsholm Stadium against the reigning champions.

"We have had two weeks now to build on the excellent performance against Loughborough and the level of commitment and the desire to improve the squad have demonstrated in that time has been exemplary."

With both sides having players away at WXV action, there's a real opportunity for players still bedding in to make a statement.

Tigers have 12 players away on international duty as well as missing the likes of Meg Jones, who is still recovering from an injury suffered in Red Roses camp.

This gives a chance for new combinations to flourish, including a blossoming centre partnership between Katie Childs and Evie Wills, whilst Jordan Russell will start in the backrow alongside stalwarts Morgan Richardson and captain Roisin McBrien for the third successive match. 

Sunday's hosts also have a number of players away on international duty, not least influential co-captains Zoe Aldcroft and Natasha 'Mo' Hunt.

They still have a number of weapons in their side, including fullback Emma Sing who beat more defenders than any other Gloucester-Hartpury player in the PWR Up series (5) and a new signing in fly half Ellie Green who is the second top scorer in the history of the women's Premiership (484 points).

Going into the match, Leicester enjoy the better form of the two. In the pre-season PWR Up series, Tigers lost at home to Sale Sharks in their opening fixture before heading to cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens and picking up a hard-fought win over local rivals Loughborough Lightning.

Gloucester-Hartpury, meanwhile, suffered tough losses in both of their PWR Up fixtures, at home to Exeter Chiefs and away to Bristol Bears.

"The performances in PWR Up were a great benchmark for us but we're all aware the real challenge starts now" said Hudson.

Last time the two sides met at Kingsholm, a first-ever Premiership away game for Tigers, the hosts were ruthless, running out 52 - 14 winners.

In the rematch, however, Leicester were much improved. A rapid start saw tries from Roisin McBrien, Meg Jones and Francesca McGhie help the side to a 19 - 07 half time lead before a scrappy second half saw Tigers fall just short by 24 - 33. 

"What I want from the team is to bring the same intensity from our last clash with Gloucester; which means working hard in defence and bravery in attack. 

"We need to take the game to them in the same, confident way the squad have approached the pre-season and PWR Up Series." 

The trip to Kingsholm means a trip to the back-to-back PWR champions and the hosts have made their intentions clear in wanting to become the first team in history to win three in succession. 

"The Gloucester-Hartpury record speaks for itself and we know it will be a proper battle."

TNT Sports is showing the match live on Sunday (October 6) at 12.45pm.


Leicester Tigers will return to Mattioli Woods Welford Road for three successive Premiership home games, starting from Sunday, October 20!

All three games are on sale now and you can see the full details below:

  • Leicester Tigers v Harlequins | Sunday, October 20 (kick off: 5.45pm)
  • Leicester Tigers v Trailfinders Women | Sunday, November 3 (kick off: 3pm)
  • Leicester Tigers v Bristol Bears | Saturday, November 9 (kick off: 12pm)

Alternatively, make the obvious choice with a 2024/25 Season Ticket.

Guaranteeing entry to every single regular season home match in Premiership Women's Rugby, a season ticket offers the best value and most convenient way to support Leicester Tigers women.

With a host of exclusive benefits and a FREE option for Under-12s, make the obvious choice today!

posteamteam namepldwdlfadifftftatblbpts
3
Gloucester-Hartpury Women RFC
Gloucester-Hartpury Women RFCGLO53021641313326194117
8
Leicester Tigers
Leicester TigersLEI400473176-1031328101
Form Guide
Form
WWLLW
Last Match
Beat Sale Sharks Women 27-14
Past Meeting
Won 57-29
Form
Last Match
Past Meeting
Form
LLLLL
Last Match
Lost to Ealing Trailfinders Women 17-36
Past Meeting
Lost 29-57

Matchday Live

Gloucester-Hartpury Women RFC57
Gloucester-Hartpury Women RFC
Leicester Tigers29
Leicester Tigers
Full Time