Falcons v Tigers Match Report
By hww27
April 22 2011
Well, here it is.. my first match report, please be gentle with me!!! Not long returned from Kingston Park after the added bonus of seeing the Tigers players after the game and getting some nice photos (my lucky mate) and some distinctly dodgy ones (me - dont know what distracted Crofty but he looked fascinated by it... I will get a decent pic one of these days!!!) so the game is still pretty fresh in my mind.
It made a pleasant change for the night to be warm and sunny instead of the usual foul Newcastle weather in April, and the mood was bouyant amongst the multitude of Tigers fans - it seemed everywhere you looked was the familiar green white and red which was fantastic to see.
Not a great start when Staunton missed a penalty after just two minutes, which briefly gave the illusion of wandering into a donkey sanctuary after a chorus of braying from the
Falcons fans in the stands around us... very original.
It seemed that Falcons were dominating the first half,
indeed especially when they took the lead through a Gopperth penalty on 14 minutes - cue head in hands moment. However watching Nottingham this season has taught both mate and I not to give up in face of adversity and we were rewarded for our faith by a lovely try from the elder Tuilagi brother on 24 minutes.
Some great runs in this half,a few stand-out ones from the Tank Engine and a few flattenings by Manu, and some great rugby, Tigers increasing their lead to 10-6 after 33 minutes following a pull on Crofty. (Meanies) Unfortunately a distraction was created at this point thanks to some bloke in the ESPN box wearing an absolutely unbelievable yellow tartan suit, which the couple sat behind me and my mate remarked that the wearer was either 'very brave or has lost a bet!'
Unfortunately I turned back just in time to see Gopperth stick another penalty away for the Falcons - rats. A shove on the far side by Matt Smith on Fielden replayed on the big screen explained this but despite this Tigers held on for 10-6 at half time.
After what seemed like the longest half-time ever, the Tigers reappeared as the first half with no changes. There seemed to be a lot of mutterings that Staunton and Grindal needed to be subbed, but there was a few clangers dropped in both halves not just by them to be fair to them. However it was clear we sorely missed Youngsy and Floody in the half-back positions, that was a no-brainer.
Kieran Brookes came on fairly early in the second half for Falcons and was very good - if the rumours should be true he will make an excellent addition to the team, strong and powerful. Matt Smith crossed the line on 49 minutes to extend the lead to 17-6, but the Falcons again refused to lie down and a good break by them led to another head in hands moment on 60 minutes when a good break by them led to a Tu'ipulotu try which Gopperth duly converted to narrow the score to 17-13.
Tigers piled forward, with some great breaks from Ant Allen, Manu and Crofty to name just a few, with the Falcons holding so firm that not even Manu's trademark piledriving runs could force the Tigers over the line. Newby was running the show and deserved his man of the match, a solid brave performance from the captain. Grindal forced his way over on 74 minutes to take it up to 24-13, and was promptly subbed for his troubles, however when Twelvetrees appeared about the same time a cloud seemed to lift over the Tigers fans....
Alas not even 36 was enough to bring a fourth try and Tigers finished the game 24-13 victors and began the long journey back to Leicester cheered by the prospect of a home semi final. Well done Tigers, job done. Here's to three in a row....
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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2011:05:03:20:44:31 by Stephen Bath.
I hope that it won't be the last !!
Of course not, will have another go next season! #TeamBarnham,Fin's proud home sponsor seasons 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-2015 and very proud owner of the 2012 and the 2013 pink shirts
Still always #TheTomYoungsFanClub
Thanks.
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Did you bring Brookes back with you? he looked very good on TV.
Good report ta!
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#TeamBarnham,Fin's proud home sponsor seasons 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-2015 and very proud owner of the 2012 and the 2013 pink shirts
Still always #TheTomYoungsFanClub
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