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Rugby Union

Tigers hand Blues mauling

04/11/2007

Leicester Tigers scored five second-half tries to beat Cardiff Blues 42-20 in the EDF Energy Cup at Welford road yesterday.

The Tigers are now top of a tightly-contested group after they were able to secure a bonus point during the victory, with the Blues in second place.

Defence was on top during a tight first half but the Tigers went into the break 9-6 ahead thanks to three Andy Goode penalties to Ben Blair's two.

Goode was the architect of the Tigers first two tries as the second half began with a bang. The fly-half twice chipped the ball into the corner for his wingers to touch down.

Tom Varndell got the first in the 44th minute before Johnny Murphy got the second four minutes later.

Xavier Rush bundled over from short range to haul the Blues back into contention but Leicester were soon in front again.

England centre Dan Hipkiss waltzed through the Cardiff drift defence and beat the full-back with a neat side-step to score the Tigers' third try.

Murphy then got his second after a flowing move by the Tigers' back line. There was reward for the home side's forwards when they were given a penalty try towards the end of the game before Blair snatched a late consolation try for the Blues before the final whistle.

Elsewhere, Pat Sanderson scored the winning try for Worcester Warriors against his former side Harlequins at the Stoop.

Although both sides scored three tries each an extra penalty helped the Warriors clinch victory when Sanderson crossed the whitewash.

Newcastle Falcons moved to the top of their group thanks to a 29-24 win over Newport-Gwent Dragons.