Tries from Manu and Alesana Tuilagi set Tigers on the way to a seventh successive Aviva Premiership win on a rain-soaked afternoon in Yorkshire.
“Today was about getting the points, especially with the other results over the weekend and the players we have missing,” said Cockerill.
“We made a good start with the early try and we had a couple of other opportunities at that stage.
“Then we had to dig in, Leeds really took it to us and we showed real commitment in defence.
“We had one real scoring chance in the second half and we took it with Alesana’s try, but Leeds kept themselves in the game and with five minutes to go they maybe could have won it. But we stuck at it and we’ve taken four very valuable points.
“We emphasised with the players all week that the points are just as important in every game, against any opposition, and we knew Leeds would come at us hard because they are desperate for the points too.”
Tigers return to Premiership action with a home game against London Wasps this Saturday (5.30pm). Tickets are available now from the Tigers ticket office. Call 0844 856 1880, visit Welford Road or book online.
Interviews with Richard Cockerill and Tigers hooker George Chuter are included in the reaction to Sunday’s match on Premiership Rugby TV. Click here for more details.
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