Tigers scored five tries in a 34-29 victory over Benetton Treviso in the opening round of this season’s Heineken Cup, but only secured the five points with a late score from Alesana Tuilagi.
Cockerill had warned that the Italians would be dangerous opponents and said: “Other sides may have given up today. We did some poor things but we did some very good things too but we kept going and we got the result in the end.
“No team has come here this season and scored more than two tries until now.
“At the end the guys showed that bit of belief. Tom Croft catches the ball under his own posts and has a crack, the boys worked hard to make things happen. The ball went through a dozen phases and Alesana finishes it. That’s a good score.
“The way we kept playing and looked to win it from that position typified Leicester Tigers.”
Treviso centre Tommaso Benvenuti scored both of his side’s tries on a warm afternoon in Italy, with fly-half Kristopher Burton scoring the other points with two conversions, three penalties and a drop goal.
Cockerill said: “Anyone who thought their Magners League form was a fluke can think again. Treviso have a good squad, they have the majority of the Italian national side and a sprinkling of very good foreigners to with that.
“I am disappointed we didn’t manage to get away from them a bit more when we had a lead and make it a bit harder for them. But it is a good result, getting a win away from home in the first round. Now we have Scarlets next at home and we can go on from here.”
