Leicester Tigers' pack powers them into the Challenge Cup semi-finals

April 10, 2021
2137
Ultimate Rugby

The Leicester Tigers progress to the Challenge Cup semi-finals following their 39-15 victory over fellow Premiership club Newcastle.

Leicester Tigers will need to wait until Sunday to find out who they will face in the semi-finals as the draw for the Champions and Challenge Cup last four will be confirmed on Sunday evening after the Clermont-Toulouse clash.

Steve Borthwick's pack dominated proceedings with their set-piece too much for Newcastle Falcons as they powered their way to a convincing victory.

The Tigers came out flying in the first half with Harry Potter scoring inside the first five minutes of the game. Fullback Kini Murimurivalu mades a great break before McPhillips sent a grubber to the corner with Potter gathering it in and ran it over the line in the corner. Johnny McPhillips was unable to convert.

George Martin v Newcastle 🐯

8⃣0⃣ Minutes ⏰
0⃣3⃣ Passes ✋
0⃣8⃣ Carries 💪
0⃣9⃣ Metres 🏃‍♂️
1⃣7⃣ Tackles 👊
0⃣1⃣ Missed tackle ✖️
🔝 Top Tackler in the game
🏅 Man of the Match#ChallengeCupRugby | #LEIvNEW pic.twitter.com/2FdUDx5ovZ

— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) April 10, 2021

Brett Cannon clawed back three points for the Falcons from the tee but Leicester were up 12-3 after 15 minutes with Mark Wilson also going to the sin bin after he dragged down a promising driving maul and Leicester were awarded the penalty try. McPhillips increased Leicester's lead to 12 points soon after with the flyhalf slotting a penalty.

Newcastle improved in the latter stages of the first half and were rewarded for their efforts as Goerge Wacokecoke finished off a fine backline move to make it 15-8 heading into the break.

The hands from the @FalconsRugby 👏 #ChallengeCupRugby | #LEIvNEW pic.twitter.com/exkuypkF9a
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) April 10, 2021

Before the break, the Falcons were down a man once again as Kyle Cooper was yellow-carded after multiple penalties against his side. Half Time: Leicester Tigers 15-8.

The Tigers started the second half well with Los Pumas speedster Matias Moroni sped in an easy try for the hosts. Newcastle quickly responded with a converted try of their own as Tom Penny gathered Richard Wigglesworth's box kick before a wonderful one-two with Steevenson saw him break through the defence and storm in for the try.

George Ford came off the bench for the Tigers to earn his 100th appearance for the club and slotted a penalty just before the hour mark to extend Leicester's advantage to 25-15, a 10 point lead they would hold onto into the final 10 minutes of the game.

Gary Graham superbly denied the Tigers another try in the 72nd minute. Newcastle were on the attack in the Tigers half but the hosts managed to turn the ball over and Graham darted back after a grubber downfield and managed to beat Kini Murimurivalu to safely dot the ball down over his own line. The Falcons were shown a third yellow soon afterwards as Mark Tampin was sin-binned, again for multiple penalties against at the scrum.

Newcastle were forced to end the game with 13 men as Kyle Cooper was shown a second yellow card, making it red, as Newcastle's scrum crumbled under the pressure. The Tigers were awarded the penalty try from that scrum and extended their lead to 32-15.

Leicester Tigers put the game to bed with the final play of the game as a depleted Newcastle were unable to stop Harry Potter going over out wide from a scrum.