The Prem

Leicester (28) 3

Tries: Blamire, Henderson, Carnduff, Steward Cons: Searle Pens: Steward, Searle

Northampton (7) 7

Tries: Pater Cons: Smith

Leicester Tigers gained revenge for their defeat in last season’s Prem playoff semi-finals to defeat rivals Northampton Saints in torrential conditions at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

In a first half played at the mercy of the weather, neither team was able to find a rhythm, with James Pater’s early opportunist try and Freddie Steward’s long-range penalty the only scores on the board.

But, inspired by a major scuffle on the verge of half-time, the Tigers subsequently dominated.

First, Jamie Blamire drove over from a rolling maul, before Cam Henderson barrelled his way through Saints tacklers to slide over in the corner.

Faced with the onslaught, the shellshocked Saints were unable to prevent further tries from Finn Carnduff and Steward, as the visitors’ wait for a league win at their near rivals stretches to four years.

With the rain teeming down it was Saints who struck first. Playing with an advantage, Fin Smith’s speculative kick ahead was spilled by Billy Searle allowing Pater to gather and score.

As the penalty count escalated amid the squall, neither team was able to keep the ball for long, but Freddie Steward gave the home fans something to shout about with a well judged penalty from 50 metres out.

Neither team was able to rely on their lineout, with Blamire suffering particularly at the hands of the marauding Josh Kemeny.

But with the whistle blown for half-time, the game’s momentum shifted. A major scuffle involving multiple players broke out on the touchline, which eventually led to Ollie Chessum pushing England team-mate Henry Pollock down the tunnel.

Seemingly inspired by the tussle, the Tigers came out with a renewed purpose after the break.

Within minutes, Blamire was able to find his jumper five metres out and with the backs adding their weight, the Tigers powered over. The hooker ultimately emerging with the ball.

Having attained dominance in the scrum, the Tigers then struck again. Following strong running from Solomone Kata, Gabe Hamer-Webb and Henderson combined down the wing, to send the lock over the whitewash.

The Tigers were in the ascendancy and soon had a third through Carnduff, who drove over after a short-range pass from the imperious Joe Heyes as the Saints’ defence tired.

Steward then put the gloss on the victory. The full-back stepping Archie McParland to grab what had appeared an unlikely try bonus point, to the delight of the home fans.

The result leaves the Tigers in second behind Gloucester, while Northampton drop to fourth.

Leicester: Steward; Radwan, Wand, Kata, Hamer-Webb; Searle, van Poortvliet; Van der Flier, Blamire, Heyes; Henderson, Chessum (c), Wainwright, Carnduff, Cracknell.

Replacements: Asiata, Haffar, Hurd, Thompson, Moro, Whiteley, Bailey, Pearson.

Northampton: Pater; Freeman, Hutchinson, Dingwall (c), Hendy; Smith, Mitchell; Iyogun, Langdon, Kundiona; Coles, Prowse, Kemeny, Pearson, Pollock.

Replacements: Smith, Fischetti, Neculai, van der Mescht, Lockett, Chick, McParland, Sleightholme.

Yellow Card: Lockett (69).

Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys