The Leicester Tigers Academy have finished 3rd in the 2022/23 Premiership Rugby Under-18 Academy League after defeating Bristol Bears 19-14 at StoneX Stadium.

A hat-trick of tries to No.8 Sam Williams and two conversions from Ben Taylor helped secure the five-point win on Sunday afternoon.

Leicester started fast with the first try coming just two minutes into the match when Williams was the beneficiary of a set-piece move deep inside Bristol's half.

The sides traded blows for the next 15 minutes in a physical, entertaining contest before the Tigers No.8 had his second on the back of a patient build-up from the Leicester youngsters.

Nine phases into an attack on the Bears line, Williams pushed his way off the first contact before dragging Bristol defenders with him over to score.

Taylor's second conversion for the day saw the lead out to 14-0 after 18 minutes.

The Bears found their way over for their first in the 21st minute on the back of their own patiently-worked phase attack, before crossing out wide to make a seven-point game.

Approaching half-time and Williams had his hat-trick when he broke from the back of a strong driving maul to dive over and extend the lead top 19-7, where it remained at the break.

Bristol used their own maul successfully early on in the second half to get across for a try in the 40th minute, making it a five-point difference at 19-14.

The Bears continued to throw everything at Tigers in the second half but were unable to break the defensive line, which helped see Leicester home to claim the 3rd Place prize.