You are in > manchester.com  > News > Tigers make perfect start to title defence

Rugby Union

Tigers make perfect start to title defence

16/09/2007

Leicester made the perfect start to the defence of their Guinness Premiership crown by thumping Bristol 26-13.

The Tigers took the lead when Sam Vesty found Ayoola Erinle with the winger crossing the line on his debut.

The hosts led 13-10 at the break thanks to a try from Lee Robinson and two penalties and a conversion from David Hill.

Johne Murphy kicked a penalty to level the scores before Vesty's drop goal gave the Tigers a 15-13 lead.

Tom Varndell galloped from the halfway line for the visitors' second try with Murphy's conversion sealing victory.

Elsewhere, Newcastle scored four tries to beat Sale 33-12.

Tom May, Mark Mayerhofler, James Grindal and Ollie Phillips touched down for the Falcons.

Toby Flood, tipped to replace the injured Jamie Noon in England's World Cup squad, scored 14 points with two conversions and penalties.

Richard Cockerill, the Tigers' caretaker head coach, said he was delighted his side won at Bristol for the first time in seven years.

"Bristol are a very good team and I have a huge respect for Richard Hill as a coach, for obvious reasons," Cockerill said.

"I knew that if we played to our potential and we played tactically the right way then we could certainly get a win.

"The scoreline maybe flattered us a little but the boys controlled the ball exceptionally well. We played in the right areas of the field and we took our chances."

Meanwhile, Lesley Vainokolo grabbed five tries on his debut as Gloucester defeated Leeds 49-24.

Vainokolo, who left rugby league side Bradford Bulls in June, scored four tries in 19 minutes in the second half.

James Simpson-Daniel, Ian Balshaw and Anthony Allen also scored for the visitors.

Leeds scored tries through Jon Dunbar and Tom Rock while Alberto Di Bernardo and Hendre Fourie both picked up injuries.