Tigers defeat Saints to place in seventh consecutive Aviva Premiership Final – Rugby news
Leicester Tigers defeated the Northampton Saints at Welford Road, Leicester on Friday, May 14 in the first semi-final of the Aviva Premiership. With this win, the squad has booked their seventh consecutive Aviva Premiership final outing as Leicester Tigers
defeated the visitors 11 – 3.
Leicester Tigers and Saints build up to the important game was very different and both teams carried their recent form into the Premiership semi-finals.
Tigers the Aviva Premiership leaders, defeated the London Irish after a making a remarkable comeback in the game. Tigers were trailing by 15 points with 15 minutes remaining in the game as they begin their surge back into the game to take the match by 32
– 23. Victory also helped them book a home semi-final.
Saints on the other hand faced a tough time at the hands of Leeds Carnegie who were playing to avoid Aviva relegation. Saints were trailing by 21 points for approximately two quarters as Stephen Myler's second-half penalties took them home.
Leicester Tigers dominated the match and made Saints look like an ordinary unit in front of the home ground. Tigers simply out-classed the Saints in every facet of the game. Tigers made 158 passes and made 125 runs as compared to Saints 97 passes and 75
runs.
Tigers started the match strongly as they enjoyed both ball and territory possession and the same trend continued throughout the match. Aviva leaders run 333 meters with the ball as compare to the Northampton Saints 181 meters.
Tigers create more opportunities and space but saints were impressive in their defence. Both teams fought hard in the first two quarters of the game to register their first point in the game. However, none was able to do as the game started to turn more
and more physical.
Emotions in the match intensified as Tigers centre Manu Tuilagi made a high tackle on the Saints winger Chris Ashton during the 32nd minute of the game. Both followed it with a brawl in which Manu Tuilagi landed punches on Ashton, which left him
bleeding.
While the offence called for a red card for Tuilagi, the umpire also sinned binned both players. Tigers during the 36th minute of the game were first to score as their fly half Toby Flood successfully kicked the penalty to the take scorecard reading 3
– 0 which remained the same till the end of the first half.
Saints played the initial phase of the second-half with intensity as they gained both ground and controlled the ball possession. Saints levelled the score during the 46th minute of the game with their fly half Stephen Myler’s 46th minute penalty.
Tigers on the other hand firm their grip firm on the game and take the lead during the 59th minute penalty kicked by Flood. Tigers were on the attack and looked like scoring but Saints defence hold on. However during the 71st minute of the game Saints winger
Alesana Tuilagi scored a decisive try to take the scorecard reading 11 – 3 that remain the same till the end of the second half.
Saints will be hugely disappointed, as the lost has ended their double crown hopes, as Tigers will face Saracens in the Premiership final.
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