Rugby Union: Newcastle triumph in Leicester fortress

If there were any doubts about Newcastle's ambition to win the Allied Dunbar Premiership One title or their ability to sustain a prolonged challenge, they have surely been dispelled as Newcastle maintained their unbeaten record in defeating Leicester at a packed Welford Road.

The significance of this victory, the first by a promoted side at Leicester, was not lost on Newcastle's director of rugby, Rob Andrew, though as he conceded afterwards, the half-way mark in the league season has yet to be reached. Though to put Newcastle's triumph in context one has to remember that Leicester have only previously been beaten in the league at Welford Road on 11 occasions.

But with a tremendous display by their pack - all three Newcastle tries were scored by their forwards - Newcastle reached the new year six points ahead of Leicester, Bath and Harlequins.

"It was incredibly intense," Andrew said. "We knew it would be a battle between two heavyweight packs. But we thrived on it as we rose to the occasion."

Leicester led for an hour during which time the referee, Brian Campsall, presented yellow cards to Garath Archer and Doddie Weir of Newcastle while Richard Cockerill talked himself into one for Leicester.

Joel Stransky got Leicester underway with a couple of penalties, before Lam's first strike. Then, with Andrew kicking a penalty and Newcastle thinking that to reach the break only 9-8 adrift - Leicester having been awarded a penalty try - would not be a poor position at all.

But at 16-8, Newcastle began the second period driving the Tigers backward and making some serious dents. By far the worst ended with Nick Popplewell burrowing over for Newcastle's second try.

Andrew, who had converted only three of the 15 tries Newcastle had scored in their last two matches, against Gloucester and Bristol, at last found his kicking form. He converted this score and Lam's second try as well as kicking a penalty, before a superb dropped goal.

Stransky had added two more penalties, but with a six point deficit, Leicester needed a try if they were to save the match. Although Stransky did not exert the same tactical influence on the game as Andrew, the South African's forwards almost came to Leicester's rescue.

Martin Johnson called for one last effort from his pack, which included Dean Richards who started a league match for the first time this season. But even Richards, who has been here so many times before, was unable to oblige. The scrummaging on Newcastle's line went on for what seemed an age. But Newcastle refused to budge and thoroughly deserved to win.

Leicester: Try Penalty; Conversion Stransky; Penalties Stransky 4. Newcastle: Tries Lam 2, Popplewell; Conversions Andrew 2; Penalties Andrew; Dropped goal Andrew.

Leicester: M Horak; A Healey, J Overend, S Potter, C Joiner; J Stransky, W Serevi; P Freshwater, R Cockerill, D Garforth, M. Johnson (capt), F van Heerden, L Moody, N Back, E Miller.

Newcastle: S Legg; J Naylor, A Tait, V Tuigamala, G Childs; R Andrew, G Armstrong; R Popplewell (G Graham, 77), R Nesdale, P Van-Zandvliet, G Archer, D Weir, P Lam, R Arnold, D Ryan (capt).

Referee: B Campsall (Halifax, Yorks).