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Academy make it two from two in U18 League

The Leicester Tigers Academy made it back-to-back victories to open the 2019/20 U18 League season with a nine-point, 27-18 away win over Sale Sharks Academy at Manchester Met University on Sunday afternoon.

Three first half tries to the visitors saw them take a 13-point lead into the break before the home side hit back with a late surge only to be prevented a come-from-behind victory with a try in the final minute of the match to Tigers winger Jake Sterland.

Tigers scrum-half Sam Edwards was the first to find his way over the line just six minutes into the match before two successive penalty goals to Sale saw the hosts lead by one-point approaching the half hour mark.

Leicester went back in front when fly-half Charlie Titcombe scored before second-rower Bob Singer, who scored a double in the first round win over Northampton, went over to make it three tries in two games this season.

Ollie Smith's accurate goal kicking meant the Leicester youngsters led 19-6 at the break.

Two tries to the Sharks Academy in the first twenty minutes of the second-half meant the hosts were just one point behind after an hour of play at Manchester Met University before a penalty goal to Smith extended the Leicester lead to four points, which they added to with Sterland's score in the 70th minute to deny Sale a losing bonus-point and secure the away victory.

Post-match, Tigers head coach Matt Smith said: "The victory is fantastic but, for me and the coaches, what was that it was a better team performance than last week."

"This group is really starting to show signs of Tigers spirit.

"There is still a lot of improvement in us as well and, only two weeks in to a season, that's exciting for us as coaches.

"We will need to improve again this week and be better again next weekend."

The Tigers Academy host Newcastle on December 28 at Oval Park in their final League fixture of the calendar year in Round 3 of the 2019/20 U18 League season.

Match Details

HT ScoreHalf Time Score

SAL 6-19 LEI

FT ScoreFull Time Score

SAL 18-27 LEI

Attendance

197

Referee

George Selwood

Sale Sharks U18s
Sale Sharks U18s
18

Full Time

Leicester Tigers Academy
Leicester Tigers Academy
27
Sale Sharks U18s
KOHTFT
Leicester Tigers Academy

Commentary

FULL TIME | 18-27

A Jake Sterland score in the final minute of the game denies Sale Sharks Under-18s a losing bonus-point as Tigers extend their unbeaten run.

HALF TIME | 6-19

Tigers take a 13-point lead into half-time at Manchester Metropolitan University following tries from Sam Edwards, charlie Titcombe and Bob Singer.

KICK OFF IN MANCHESTER

We're underway in the Tigers Academy's second game of the season.


Team news | Tigers Academy side to take on Sale

Figure image

Ben Muncaster leads the Tigers Academy side in their second U18 League fixture of the 2019/20 season, away to Sale Sharks Academy at Manchester Met University on Sunday afternoon.

The Tigers Cubs kicked off their title defence, after back-to-back League wins in recent seasons, with a derby day victory over Northampton Saints Academy at Oval Park in Round 1.

Muncaster partners Kit Smith and Jordan Tebbatt in the back-row, with Bob Singer and Phil Tandoh partnering up in the second-row for the away game against Sale.

Tigers head coach Matt Smith has made only one change to his pack with Seb Smith coming into the starting side at loose-head prop to join Archie Vanes and Jack Rowntree.

Meanwhile, in the back-line, Sam Edwards and Charlie Titcombe line-up at halfback for the second successive U18 League fixture with a midfield of Matt Potts and Ollie Smith alongside them.

Jack Taylor will start at fullback and is joined by Harry Sturmey and Jake Sterland in the outside-backs.

Emeka Ilione, who was a member of last season's U18 League winning squad, has been included among the replacements after missing the opening round through injury.

Team news

Leicester Tigers Academy XV: 15 Jack Taylor [Stamford School], 14 Harry Sturmey [Brooksby Melton College], 13 Ollie Smith [Denstone College], 12 Matt Potts [Leicester Grammar], 11 Jake Sterland [Denstone College], 10 Charlie Titcombe [Oakham], 9 Sam Edwards [Brooksby Melton College], 1 Seb Smith Stamford School], 2 Archie Vanes [Brooksby Melton College], 3 Jack Rowntree [Leicester Grammar], 4 Bob Singer [Stamford School], 5 Phil Tandoh [Stamford School], 6 Jordan Tebbatt [Brooksby Melton College], 7 Kit Smith [Oakham], 8 Ben Muncaster (c) [Rugby School]

Replacements: 16 Joe Plunkett [Langley School], 17 Lynx Noumey [Ellesmere College], 18 Tim Hoyt [Brooksby Melton College], 19 Jay Ecclesfield [Brooksby Melton College], 20 Emeka Ilione [Rugby School], 21 Harrison Casey [Uppingham], 22 Billy Hull [Rugby School], 23 Josh Lugsden [Brooksby Melton College]

Match information

Sale Sharks Academy v Leicester Tigers Academy

Saturday, December 21

Kick-off: 2.30pm

Venue: Manchester Met University

Form Guide
Form
LLLL-
Last Match
Lost to Leicester Tigers Academy 34-38
Past Meeting
Lost 34-38
Form
Last Match
Past Meeting
Form
WWWLL
Last Match
Lost to Northampton Saints U18s 22-35
Past Meeting
Won 38-34

Matchday Live

Sale Sharks U18s18
Sale Sharks U18s
Leicester Tigers Academy27
Leicester Tigers Academy
Full Time