Leicester Tigers Academy kicked off their U18 League campaign with a derby day win over Northampton Saints, 25-12 in front of more than 200 supporters at Oval Park.
Second-rower Bob Singer crossed for a double in the thirteen-point victory, with his first coming just 13 minutes into the match after hooker Archive Vanes broke through the Saints defence from the base of a ruck inside the Tigers half before finding Singer in support, who ran it in from the 22m line to score.
Vanes turned try-scorer from provider for the next Tigers try after a line-out, deep inside the Saints half was brought down and driven forward by the Leicester pack.
A strong charge towards the line from Phil Tandoh off the back of the maul set up the chance, which Vanes took from close range with a dive for the line.
Tigers took a 12-0 lead into the break at Oval Park and were quick to add to their lead early in the second-half with Singer crossing for his second, from close range, after a mistake from the visitors deep inside their own half was capitalised on by the young Leicester side, who patiently worked their way over.
Charlie Titcombe successfully landed his second conversion of the game to see the Tigers out to a 19-0 lead with half an hour remaining.
The visitors managed to close the gap with their first try in the 50th minute but, were unable to gather any momentum after two penalty goals from Titcombe extended the lead to 20 points with only minutes remaining.
A consolation converted try in the final minute to Saints cut Tigers lead to thirteen points, where it would remain until full-time to ensure a successful start to Leicester’s U18 League defence.
Commentary
FULL TIME | 25-12
Tigers weather a second-half comeback to win their first game of the new season.
HALF TIME | 12-0
Matt Smith's young side take a 12-point lead into the break in their first game of the new season.
KICK OFF FROM OVAL PARK
The Tigers Academy's defence of their Under-18 Academy league title is underway at Oval Park.