Cornwell magic helps Tigers to extend home run in

By Tigerchick
February 20 2006

Tiger’s international contingent returned to Welford Road to grind out their first win in three matches in the Guinness Premiership.

The two sides were evenly matched in the first half, Ollie Smith and Dale Rasmussen each scoring a try, whilst Shane Drahm and Andy Goode exchanged three penalties to leave the scores locked at 16 points each at the break. The home crowd couldn’t be blamed for believing that Worcester might pull the proverbial rabbit out of the hat and steal a victory at fortress Welford Road.

Tigers came powering out after the break and winger Alesana Tuilagi came hurtling through with a lovely 50 metre dash, to be brought down on the Worcester line by Mark Tucker who slowed the ball down and was sent to cool off for ten minutes. Tigers took the 5 metre scrum and failed to make any territory by going left and so sent the ball out wide to the right, allowing Alesana Tuilagi to finish off what he had started. Worcester responded with two successful Shane Drahm penalties, to put the visitors in the lead.

Tigers now on the back foot dug very deep and made several attempts at the line, one such opportunity fluffed by the big lock James Hamilton, who appeared confused to be holding the ball two metres from the line and not knowing who to pass to, and was subsequently brought down by a couple of Worcester forwards.

Try scoring opportunities were few and far between and Worcester’s defence appeared impenetrable by the backs. Matt Cornwell eventually scored the match winning try, the momentum of the pack carrying him over the line to secure victory.

The home team spent the remaining 17 minutes of the half hanging on to their slim advantage, doing well to keep Worcester from scoring.

The home crowd may well have been hankering for the elusive four-try bonus point, but should be very grateful for a win at all in what may become one of Tigers poorest performances (in victory) of the season: Worcester taking a well-earned bonus point for their labours.

It wasn’t a very pretty game, but the desired result was achieved by the Tigers. They may not think it was a good day at the office, but at this point in the season, a win is a win.

Tigerchick’s man of the match has to be Alesana Tuilagi, not least for his beautiful try, but for his apparently tireless efforts throughout the 80 minutes.

Leicester: G Murphy; A Tuilagi, O Smith, M Cornwell, T Varndell; A Goode, H Ellis (S Bemand 66); M Holford, G Chuter, J White, J Hamilton (L Deacon 51), L Cullen, L Moody, S Jennings, M Corry (capt). Tries: Smith, Tuilagi, Cornwell. Cons: Goode (2). Pens: Goode (3).
Worcester: N Le Roux; G Trueman, D Rasmussen, T Lombard, M Tucker; S Drahm, A Gomarsall (M Powell 65); T Windo, G Hickie (S Vaili 51), T Taumoepeau, P Murphy, C Gillies, K Horstmann, T Harding, D Hickey. Try: Rasmussen. Con: Drahm. Pens: Drahm (5)
Referee: D Rose (RFU).