Leicester Tigers 34 - Worcester Warriors 19

Weather: Hot and sunny
Attendance: About 21,000

The more observant among you will have seen the title and gone, “Huh”!

I am afraid we left 50 seconds early with a Worcester lineout in their own half and completely missed the last play score from the Warriors.

In the face of a much better performance than last season from Worcester, Tigers deserved an A for ambition and (believe it or not) flair. They were constantly looking to move the ball quickly and from anywhere. This is best shown by the first two tries (watch the highlights) where Tigers managed to turnover Worcester possession deep in their own 22 and run the ball back to score fantastic tries. The first saw Flood shape to kick in the shadow of his own posts before firing a sumptuous pass to Hamilton. Good running and interplay between him and Tom Youngs saw good ground made. Quickly recycled ball was then moved left with Manu finishing well in the corner.
The second try came courtesy of an excellent break and footwork from new boy Goneva with Manu again on hand to finish the move.

The problem is Tigers were worthy of no more than a C for precision. Players who are normally so dependable (Allen, Parling, Waldrom) made really silly mistakes with the Worcester line at their mercy. Waldrom knocked on when we were moving forward for a pushover try at the end of the first half. Allen attempted some silly offloads when simple passing was the order of the day – one of which was picked up by Lemi and run back for Worcester’s first try. Parling meanwhile twice butchered 3 on 1 overlaps close to the line by passing in to touch or straight to ground. In a similar position late in the game Kitchener decided to go for the line instead.

Two TBP wins – but against the two teams most likely to be in 11th and 12th places.

Whilst I feel the scorecard flattered them to a degree, and Andy Goode was on sumptuous kicking form from hand and tee, Worcester looked to have far more quality than London Welsh. Their proclivity for playing a tight game could however cause them problems. They took an age to clear the ball from scrums an rucks – the crowd on several times reaching counts into double figures as Perry dithered.


England Player Watch

Tom Youngs
First two lineouts were overthrown – the only thing that marred an excellent performance. Tackled like a demon, scrimmaged well, ran and passed to great effect – and once warm threw well.

Dan Cole
Had about 30 minutes, replacing an injured looking Castro just after he tried to rumble over the line whilst obstructed by a jersey pulled up over his head. Cole did what he does, held the scrum, tackled, offered himself as a runner and was a nuisance at the breakdown.

Geoff Parling
After last weeks MOTM not good. Knocked on in the lineout a couple of times and some shoddy work in the loose.

Graham Kitchener
Fairly quiet, and underused in the lineout. Cleared rucks and mauls well to help secure quick ball and finished his try well.

Thomas Waldrom
Some silly mistakes but also the usual barnstorming runs from deep. (Jordan Crane came on and was solid, some good carries and controlled the scrums better)

Toby Flood
Some excellent passing, but sometimes over ambitious. One occasion in the second half he Manu running at pace at a gap about 5m from Warriors line – chose to fire a bullet pass that was nigh well impossible to hold. Punting was in the main good – but a poorly executed garryown stands out as well as a sliced clearance kick of his left peg. (George Ford had about 8 minutes. Kept things simple)

Anthony Allen
Not good

Manu
MOTM, stunning performance in attack and defence. Barnstorming runs, monster tackles and stealing the ball from Warrios No 8 as he drove for the line, was interspersed with a mixed range of passes and offloads.

Matt Tait
Warmed up with the squad before the game – looked fast.

Matt Mullan
Struggled to cope with Castro and then Cole.

Matt Kvesic
Had about 20 minutes. Was not prominent.

Nice to see Manu is up to speed. I think Bowden might get a call up in place of Allen unless the normally Mr Dependable ups his game. Is Forsyth fit yet? He could be another option.

Nice to see Tom Youngs is the hooker of choice. Need that lineout to be on song before he steps up to England though.

Tait to be back next month, which will add some strength to the bench.

Where are the highlights available? (normally Tigers games are televised and I have Sky+)

formerly known as Sam wrote:
Where are the highlights available? (normally Tigers games are televised and I have Sky+)

Will be made available on the premier rugby site tomorrow:

http://www.premiershiprugby.com/matchcentre/fixtures/fixtures.php

Not seen the game, but seems like Tigers are hitting the ground running a bit better this season.

Sounds good for some England players, especially Manu. Looking forward to seeing Tom Youngs continue to impress too.

Ta, LT.

10 points from the first two games is a good start. Not sure we are ready for Sarries though, the men in black are looking really classy so far this season.

Aye, I am worried about next week.

Highlights are now available. Of course it only provides a limted view of the game but is a fair reflection of how Tigers were trying to play - while Warriors first try is just one example of just how inaccurate Tigers were at times.

First Manu try is a wonderfull team try.

http://www.premiershiprugby.tv/

LondonTiger wrote:Highlights are now available. Of course it only provides a limted view of the game but is a fair reflection of how Tigers were trying to play - while Warriors first try is just one example of just how inaccurate Tigers were at times.

First Manu try is a wonderfull team try.

http://www.premiershiprugby.tv/

isn't it the whole game on there?

The whole game is on there (I watched it). The highlights go up after 24 hours.

Yeah, the full game went up Saturday evening - I just thought I would let those who do not have almost 90 minutes free know that the highlights package was also available.