Jump to Main ContentJump to Primary Navigation
leicestertigers.comMattioli Woods Welford RoadContact UsTopps Tiles
Academy News

Report | Tigers Academy hold on for win over Bath

The Leicester Tigers Academy defeated Bath Rugby Academy 28-21 in the second match of their revised 2021 Premiership Rugby Under-18 League season on Saturday afternoon.

The Cubs dominated the first-half to lead 21-0, including a brace for Tigers back-rower Simon Koroiyadi, at the break before rallying in defence for the final twenty minutes of the match to hold out for victory against a fast-finishing Bath Academy side.

Openside flanker Koroiyadi crossed in the ninth minute before making it a double five minutes later.

Fly-half Jack Vernum converted both scores to see Tigers out to a 14-0 lead in as many minutes.

Leicester wing Ben Moore went over for the away side’s third in the 26th minute, which Vernum converted to see the visitors take a 21-0 lead in to the break.

A try to front-rower Seb Smith in the opening minutes of the second-half was converted by Vernum, who finished the day with 4/4 from attempts, and Tigers led 28-0 with half an hour remaining.

With the wind at their back, in wet and wild conditions down south, Bath staged a comeback with twenty minutes remaining in the match as they crossed for their first in the 49th minute and second in the 56th.

Both tries were converted to see the Tigers lead cut to 14 points with as many minutes left on the clock.

The Cubs – who spent the majority of the second-half defending – held out the home side until the final minutes of the match, when they crossed in the 67th minute and converted the try to make it a seven-point game, 21-28, where it would remain as the Leicester youngsters withheld the final attack from Bath.

Speaking post-match, Tigers Academy Manager Dave Wilks said: "We were really pleased with the performance in tough conditions."

"The boys showed some excellent game management and put a composed and powerful performance together.

"It was great to see them learn quickly and show how much last week hurt them.

"There is still a lot to work on and we now have a week to learn some more before facing Sale in two weeks."