Challenge Cup Highlights: Leicester Tigers vs Ulster Rugby

A brilliant second half performance saw the Leicester Tigers book their spot in the Challenge Cup Final with a 33-24 win over Ulster in the semis. George Ford missed an early penalty attempt, but was successful a few minutes later to open the scoring for Leicester. Shortly after, John Cooney levelled matters at three apiece. Ulster then piled on some early pressure, with Tom Youngs picking up a yellow card 14 minutes in after repeated infrindments by Leicester near their own line. Ulster capitalized on their numerical advantage immediately, as Iain Henderson stayed on his feet to power over for the games first try putting Ulster up 10-3. Leicester pulled three points back with a penalty around the midpoint of the first half, but Ulster made full use of their extra man, with quick ball seeing Billy Burns through a gap for their second try which saw them take a handy 17-6 advantage into the halftime break. Leicester came out a different beast in the second half, with Jasper Wiese crashing over just four minutes in to reduce the deficit to 17-13. Ford added a penalty five minutes later to make it a one point ball game. Leicester's dominant start to the second half continued as Ford sent Ellis Genge over with a great long pass to put the Tigers in front 23-17.  Man of the match Ford kept the scoreboard ticking over, with a drop goal around the hour making it a two score ball game. Ulster needed some magic and Nick Timoney provided just that, running a great line to take the short ball from Stuart McCloskey to break and race in from all of 40m to make it 26-24 with a little over ten minutes remaining. However, with around five minutes left on the clock, Leicester delivered the knock out blow and it was that man Ford again, with an amazing cut out pass which ultimately saw Guy Porter round off the score in the corner to seal the victory.