White sets the tone for Tigers' raiding party
Newcastle 15 Leicester 44
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Tigers had it in the bag by half-time, even though they only led 17-7.
It would have taken John Wayne in his pomp to have rounded up all the rustlers in the Leicester pack at Kingston Park on Saturday; and even then the big man might not have achieved it. There was never a chance Newcastle would.
A while ago Rob Andrew, Newcastle's director of rugby, declared: "Ian Peel has been playing out of his skin". By half-time Peel was taken off, fortunate to be left with any skin after the comprehensive going over he received from the Tigers' tight-head, Julian White. Not that his replacement, Micky Ward, fared any better. Much the same could be said for the rest of the Falcons' forwards, who were a sorry sight by the end of this technically engrossing but dull match. The Tigers had it in the bag by half-time, even though they only led 17-7.
Michael Stephenson had scored a peach of a try, courtesy of Jonny Wilkinson's brilliant pass from behind his back and Epi Taione's take. Is there no limit to the boy Wilkinson's skills? At times it seems unfair for other mortals to be compared to him. It was one of only two high points in the Falcons' depressing afternoon. The other try came within three minutes of an out-of-sorts Dave Walder being replaced by the latest in a long line of outstanding young backs, Mathew Tait. We shall hear a lot more of Tait; that's for sure. As we will of a rejuvenated Leicester, who look good value for their ranking as favourites for the title. Afterwards, John Wells, their head coach, was full of praise for his team. "It's been a good day," purred Wells. "Since I've been coaching the side, that was the best they've played. What was so pleasing was the way our youngsters fronted up after our midweek injury crisis."
Geordan Murphy got them going, latching on to Ross Broadfoot's deft grubber. As the Newcastle pack disintegrated, the Tigers' forwards claimed a penalty try. There was no way back for the Falcons after that humiliation despite Tait's splendid intervention. Tries by Seru Rabeni (two), Martin Corry and Neil Back finished the job in style.
Newcastle: Tries Stephenson, Tait; Conversion Wilkinson; Penalty Wilkinson. Leicester Tries Murphy, penalty try, Rabeni 2, Back, Corry; Conversions Broadfoot 2, Murphy 2 Penalties Broadfoot, Murphy.
Newcastle: D Walder (M Tait, 66); T May, J Noon, E Taione, M Stephenson; J Wilkinson (co-capt), H Charlton (J Grindal, 58); I Peel (co-capt, M Ward, h-t), A Long, M Hurter (J Isaacson, 76), L Gross, M McCarthy (S Grimes, 57), C Charvis, E Williamson, S Sititi (G Parling, 80).
Leicester: S Vesty; G Murphy, S Rabeni (A Tuilagi, 78), O Smith, J Holtby; R Broadfoot (M Cornwell, h-t), H Ellis; G Rowntree (D Morris, 70), G Chuter, J White, M Johnson (capt, B Kay, 55), L Deacon, B Deacon (W Johnson, 80), N Back, M Corry.
Referee: R Maybank (Kent).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments