Wet 'n' Wild Welford Road

Visits to Welford Road are occasions I always look forward to – it remains the biggest “purpose built” club rugby ground in England, and when Tigers are doing well – although Sarries have had the better of our encounters in recent seasons – the always large crowd creates an imposing atmosphere.  

Having booked reasonably priced travel through the good offices of our Senior Railcards and  a somewhat confusing pricing system that sold us return tickets from London to Kettering and then Kettering to Leicester, we set off from St Pancras with the promise of a very wet day and a potentially very challenging fixture against a resurgent Tigers side sprinkled with Sarries stardust in the form of two bona fide legends, messrs. Borthwick and Wigglesworth – to a layman that may not sound too enticing but wet weather and hard-fought matches are what the rugby fraternity thrives on.

 After an increasingly soggy stroll down Tigers Way, we have a few pints in the “Local Hero”  a few minutes’ walk from the ground which affords us the opportunity to chat to a family of Tigers fans complete with a couple of, as it were, cubs, with a nice conversation about how rugby culture draws people in – the chap I was talking to, a West Midlands boy like myself and, I get the impression, also raised in a football family,  tells me how he’d started watching Leicester some years ago, as did I with Sarries – going to the odd game in Vicarage Road days and then attending religiously since not long after the move to Copthall –  and we agree that no matter how you  find you way into the game, whether through disillusionment with other sports or as in my case a passion rekindled, a love of your club and the rugby environment develops; I mention this as the conversation makes me think again about the legion of new Sarries supporters who’ve posted on social media about their excitement at buying their first season ticket or going on their first away trip, and who will in not much time I’m sure develop the same feelings we all have about our wonderful club sand indeed rugby in general.

 I digress.

 We get to the ground and find that our tickets, which we’d bought very late in the day as we hadn’t been sure we would get to the game so anything near the Sarries allocation was gone, are right in the front row of the North Stand despite the club’s seating plan showing them as further back so we find ourselves sitting in an area with no cover (fair enough perhaps) and no drainage system, so we found ourselves sitting with a couple of inches of water lapping round our feet, but that’s OK, we’re wearing decent footwear although the chap who arrives and takes a neighbouring seat isn’t too thrilled when his deck shoes become waterlogged within a few minutes. Perhaps distastefully, I’m reminded of my grandfather’s tales of having a cup of tea sitting ankle deep in water in the trenches during World War One: it wouldn’t happen at StoneX….

 We watch the Sarries squad warm up before the game, and notice that despite not being slated to play, Maro is around - it turns out that, notwithststanding his status within the world let alone the English game. he's more than happy to be here in the capacity of a water boy. Speaks volumes about the man doesn't it?

The Sarries starting lineup is a little different to the XV that ran out for the Bristol match two weeks ago, with, after the necessary consultations about player welfare, two of our Lions, Owen Farrell and Jamie George, are in the starting XV, Max Malins makes his first start of the season after his loosener against Ealing - coming in at full-back for Elliot Obatoyinbo - while Alex Goode is on the bench alongside Dom Morris who makes way at outside centre for Alex Lozowski, who having given us a masterclass in the fly-half art at Ashton Gate, reverts to his customary Sarries position..  

Leicester’s squad does not include Wiggy but there is another familiar face in recently former Sarrie, Juan Pablo Socino, who I believe is making his Tigers debut today, and I see that Tigers' starting hooker is Nic Dolly who I recall impressed – and scored against us – for Coventry last season and has taken to the Premiership like a duck to the stuff we’ll be spending the game sloshing around in. Ellis Genge is surprisingly on the bench but one suspects this is tactical.

The referee, Christophe Ridley looks about eleven - like police officers, referees are getting younger...

With his first act in a Sarries shirt since picking up the Championship trophy in June, Farrell gets proceedings underway with a deep kick to the corner, looking to make Leicester work from the back, and the return effort is gathered by Malins and it’s the first contact of the game. Davies launches a high kick, and Farrell, looking sharp and purposeful, charges forward to set up Lewington but the ball is knocked into touch. Isiekwe wins the lineout, Sarries winning a penalty when the maul is collapsed.

The ensuing lineout from 5 metres out sets up a maul which is driven sideways, Billy trying to power his way through - Sarries are making a positive start. It’s evident even this early in the game that this is going to be a good physical encounter.

It’s a penalty to Leicester - conceded by Swinson – from which they execute the lineout well, peeling off the maul and punching their way forward, Martin, I think it is (glasses a bit fogged by the rain at this point) being stopped by a big hit from a clearly fired-up Farrell. Play goes on, with Davies kicking long and precipitating a brief kicking match:  Leicester then try to run the ball but Sarries in characteristic fashion smother the attack.  

Sarries win a penalty, and Farrell opts for a straightforward kick to the posts which he dispatches with ease for his first points of the season to make it 0-3 after 8 minutes: Ford, however, kicks poorly from the restart and the ball flies into touch giving a scrum to Sarries from which we win another penalty and although this will be a longer kick, from the half way line, it’s no problem for Farrell who makes it 0-6 at 11 minutes. Sarries are looking in control at this stage and dealing well with the conditions.

Sarries pick up possession from the restart and Malins tries to get forward before another brief kicking match ensues as Farrell goes long then Leicester’s return finds touch and it’s a line out to Sarrries. Leicester this time steal the ball but Sarries regain possession and Segun has his first chance of a decent run at the home side’s defence but nothing comes of it.

Farrell finds touch, with Leicester trying to drive forward following their exit from the maul and there’s a moment of excitement after a kick is charged down by Adams but Leicester retrieve the ball. Sarries are back in possession and Davies kicks high again; Ford gathers but is stopped in his tracks by a sharp Malins.

A penalty to Sarries is kicked to 5 metres from Leicester’s line and George cleverly throws a short ball but Billy knocks on and it’s scrum to Leicester, who then find themselves pinned back when trying to exit cleanly and their only option is for Youngs to kick to touch: Sarries, however, make a hash of the line out, Leicester steal the ball and in the ensuing melee the ref manages a no-arms tackle - he’s (very) young and keen, and it’s nice that his enthusiasm leads him to try and join in the fun.

It’s a scrum to Leicester…and a penalty to Leicester…..

Play is halted as Adams-Hale receives treatment and is sadly forced to go off to be replaced by Mawi – it later transpires that Ralph has a dislocated shoulder, and it is to be hoped he’s not out for too long: he’s had enough bad luck with injuries.

Leicester take the penalty kick and although the resulting maul is stopped and indeed pushed back, Leicester pick up possession after Malins attempts to get something ging, and in their first real attack of the game move close to the Sarries line, halted by a great tackle from Billy and it’s a penalty to Sarries. The opportunity to try and build something is lost when again the line out is stolen by Leicester. A high clearing kick and Lewington, whose work under the high ball has improved of late it must be said, takes the mark and clears.

The ensuing line out is well-worked by Leicester although Sarries manage the maul well and pck up possession with Mawi doing good work as we spread play although what looks like an attempt at a 50-20 is missed. Sarries, through clever work by Wray steal a line out back, with Billy then Malins trying to work forward. Billy tries again, then Earl has a go, but the promising spell of play ends with a penalty to Leicester (going off feet).

In another well-contested maul, Mawi jumps on a Tiger’s back, and the ball is forced into touch for a line out to Sarries: we work the set piece much better this time and Davies lofts a high kick under pressure, with Malins taking the mark from the return.

Shortly afterwards, the hitherto unerring Farrell slices a penalty wide from 35 metres leaving the score at 0-6 as we approach the half-hour.

A huge hit from Lozowski on Burns dislodges the ball, winning a scrum for Sarries;  we push forward through Tompkins,  Davies and Billy, then our pulses are raised by a clever chip through the Leicester defence by Farrell but the wet ball  slides too far for the onrushing Tompkins to gather and it’s one of those new-fangled goal line drop outs; Sarries pick up the ball from the new innovation.  Wray surges forward, then Farrell kicks crossfield to change the point of attack but Lewington can’t get to the ball.  

Youngs kicks high after the Leicester line out, giving Sarries chance to drive back at them with the ball worked out to the always hard-working Segun, who can’t find clear space to attack.

On the half-hour it’s a penalty to Sarries (going off feet). The kick from 23 metres out on left is deftly put away by Farrell to make the score 0-9 on 30 minutes. Sarries do gather the restart but Leicester pick up possession, only to give away a scrum to Sarries after fumbling the ball, but then win a penalty.

Ford kicks to 20 metres, Sarries taking the line out but the ball goes into touch again; a  better line out this time from Leicester who toil for some points before half time but their progress is halted by a Sarries penalty (not releasing), although they steal the line out yet again and win their own penalty (not rolling away).

Ford kicks to Sarries’ 22 metres line and a quick short throw is taken but it’s a scrum to Sarries which is then reversed for a penalty to Leicester when, so it seems, Mawi gets involved with a bit of “afters” and pushes a Leicester player . Ford goes for the posts, 25 metres out on left, and the half ends at it 3-9.

Sarries have largely controlled the first half, dealing well with the conditions, defending superbly at times but not really threatening to open Leicester up.

Ford opens the curtains on Act Two with a grubber, just as our unsuitably shod neighbour squelches back to his seat. Davies returns high and long, Leicester return in kind, and Davies takes a very theatrical mark, on one knee and with a flourish of the hand.

The action continues as an attempted kick from Farrell is charged down, and then it’s a scrum to Leicester but Sarries win a penalty for collapsing the scrum: Farrell’s kick, however, fails to reach touch and Leicester clear.  Malins goes long and Leicester work forward, Sarries gathering a high kick, Davies returning and back come Leicester, the kicking match ending when Ford bobbles the ball into touch.

Leicester bring on some replacements at this point, one of whom is Genge: I wonder if we may have reached a turning point in the game. 

The game continues, and Sarries have a penalty advantage as Farrell tries a dink through, the Leicester defensive line which amounts to nothing and back we come for the penalty – a great kick to 8 metres out.

Exiting from the line out, George, Davies and Billy all have a go, and it’s another penalty to Sarries,15 metres out from the try line – an easy opportunity for Farrell  and it’s 3-12 at 48 minutes.

Following the restart, Wray pushes forward from deep, Davies clears and then it’s a penalty to Leicester (going off feet). Steward, clearly the long-kick specialist, elects to go for the posts from 52 metres out, judges his distance well but not the direction and pushes his kick wide. Billy, definitely looking like he’s getting back to his imposing best, makes good ground from the restart, Farrell kicks a long clearance and Leicester come driving back, winning a penalty for deliberate knock on.

Leicester set up the maul close to the side line, Mawi steals the ball and Sarries clear high, but a knock on follows giving Leicester a scrum and then a penalty for collapsing the scrum. Ford kicks to the 22 and Sarries try hard to disrupt the maul but it’s another penalty which Ford kicks to 5 metres out; Sarries again defend the maul well but it’s an advantage to Leicester, Ford trying to take advantage of that advantage, so to speak, using the “free hit” for an attempted cross field repositioning of the attack before coming back for the penalty. Sarries are losing discipline now, and the ref issues a warning.

Leicester’s exit from the lineout is scrappy and the ball is knocked on for a Sarries scrum; we’re living on their nerves a little bit now. Farrell makes good use of a free kick, finding touch to lift some of the pressure. George, tiring a little, is replaced by Woolstencroft.

The line out takes Leicester forward and Sarries defend hard, but it’s yet another penalty to Leicester (going off feet). Ford kicks to our 22 and the maul drives forward…. and it’s still another Leicester penalty, conceded by Earl.

From the line out on 5 metres, Sarries manage to bring the maul to a halt but Leicester, clearly refreshed by their replacements, pile on more pressure, thankfully relieved a little as Sarries win a scrum from a fumbled ball. Segun, who’s worked hard but had very little opportunity to make any magic, comes off to be replaced by Goode who takes up the full back position with Malins taking Segun’s place on the left wing.

Sarries win a penalty which is kicked to 20 metres out and we’re hoping that the storm has been weathered as the game moves towards its closing stages. The lineout works smoothly but it’s a Leicester penalty for holding on. Clarey is now on for the excellent Riccioni. A familiar face, that of recently ex-Sarrie Juan Pablo Socino, is also on in what I believe is his Tigers debut. .

Leicester work the ball inside but it’s knocked on as we move into the last 15 minutes; out on the left a deft “dink” by Malins is picked up, and Leicester try to work forward as Sarries pin them back, Malins’ return kick after a long clearance being  fumbled to give Sarries a scrum and time to run down the clock.

The busy Earl is now replaced by Christie while Farrell, after a good performance back in the black and red (well, red with a white stripe) is not long afterwards, replaced by Morris, with Lozowski moving to the fly-half position. I’m hoping that bringing on two highly mobile young players could give Sarries some energy at this stage.  Before Farrell departs, though, Sarries exit the scrum well but he’s hit hard and the ball is dislodged for a scrum to Leicester, followed by a penalty for Sarries collapsing the scrum.

Still not entirely out of a game that Sarries could and perhaps should have closed out before now, Leicester step up their urgency, moving the ball quicker, and think they’ve got their reward for an improved second half when a kick is fumbled onto the post by Malins and an alert Van Poortvliet reacts quickly (too quickly as it turns out)  and dives over to ground the ball….but the ref doesn’t give the try,  and the big screen clearly demonstrates he’d been offside. Phew.

So no try and a penalty to Sarries as we move into the last ten minutes. Was that Leicester’s big chance? Mrs Jonny is cagier than me.

Sarries work their way forward from the lineout and win another advantage as we continue to grind our way forward and try to retain possession. Morris tries to wriggle through the Leicester defence on the left flank after probably the game’s best move - - involving good work from Billy, a smart chip from Goode, and a neat set-up from  Malins - but after pirouetting to stay inside the side line, he’s adjudged to have strayed into touch.

Sarries turn over the ball after the line out and drive forward, trying to finish the game off ….but it’s a pen to Leicester for blocking.  Ford kicks very long and it’s another penalty to Leicester; The Leicester 10 calmly elects to go for the posts, to get his side within a score, even though it’s a daunting (at this stage)  45 metres out. To his credit, Ford nails it for 6-12 and it’s ging to be a long 5 minutes now.

A poor restart from Goode allows Leicester to surge forward, picking up a penalty advantage (so we think from the refs signal) but it’s a penalty to Sarries that’s awarded. Lewington tries to get free as Sarries try to finish it, or at least retail possession, but it’s a penalty to tigers with 2 minutes left on the clock. I’m ageing as I watch.  Leicester work the ball across field, probing and keeping the pressure on but Sarries are holding out as our defensive resolve is tested. Lozowski’s tackling hard as phase after phase hits the red wall.

As the 80 minutes is reached,  and we ‘re looking anxiously up at the big screen as play is on the far side, Porter, trying one last foray down Leicester’s left, is driven into touch by Lewington – it’s over, we’ve done it…

No, it’s not over; instead of blowing his whistle and precipitating wild celebrations in the Sarries camp both on and off the pitch, the ref’s deep in a conversation with the other officials; meanwhile the Leicester fans on that side are in uproar about something.

Oooooh no…. the big screen shows Lewington tackling legally to take Porter off the pitch… then Davies piles in, presumably just to make sure of things, and is adjudged to have hit Porter while he’s off his feet (although he looked to already be in touch)  so the arm-waving and yelling will have to wait while we see the outcome of the penalty awarded to Leicester… that outcome couldn’t be worse,,,,

Leicester push forward from the line out, the maul collapses on the line… and then as we watch in horror,  the ref walks to the posts, raises his arm - it’s a penalty try for Leicester to leave it at 13-12…..and a technically correct but pointless yellow card for Billy. Even from where we are it’s apparent Farrell is not a happy man as he speaks to the ref as the Leicester squad wildly celebrates.

There is initially a sense of “we wuz robbed”, and it was suggested to me by another Sarries fan that the baying Leicester crowd pressured the officials into making the decisions that they did, but in the final analysis Sarries are the architects of their own misfortune: the inability to put Leicester away when we had control of the game and our lack of real threat in attack (we've managed one try in two games), and the indiscipline in the crucial latter stages, although to be fair we defended brilliantly at times and especially in the first half we smothered Leicester although to be entirely fair they probably shaded the second half.

Lessons to be learned though, and I’m confident we’ll sort it out before the Falcons game.

TEAMS:

Leicester:

15 Burns; 14 K van Wyk; 13 Porter, 12 Kelly, 11 Saumaki; 10: Ford; 9 B Youngs                   

1 F van Wyk; 2 Dolly; 3 Cole; 4 Green; 5 Chessum; 6 Martin; 7 Reffell; 8 Liebenberg (capt)

Replacements: T Cowan-Dickie, Genge, Leatigaga, Wells, Henderson, Van Poortvliet, Socino, Steward.

Sarries:

15 Malins; 14 Lewington; 13 Lozowski; 12 Tompkins; 11 Segun; 10 Farrell (capt);  9 Davies

1 Adams-Hale; 2 George; 3 Riccioni; 4 Isiekwe;  5 Swinson; 6 Wray; 7 Earl; 8 B Vunipola

Replacements:Woolstencroft, Mawi, Clarey, Hunter-Hill, Christie, Simpson, Goode, Morris.

Referee: Christophe Ridley