Tigers score in final moments for 16-12 Premiership win over Newcastle
Last Updated: 17/03/15 8:31am
Leicester Tigers were made to wait until the very end for their 16-12 win over Premiership rivals Newcastle on Sunday.
It was a sunny day at Kingston Park, and both teams looked to make use of the good conditions by giving the ball plenty of width but it was Newcastle who were first to turn endeavour into points as a catch and drive move from the lineout was finished by the home side's hooker Scott Lawson.
Tigers came back hard and when a scrum penalty was awarded to them Freddie Burns stepped up to reduce the lead to four points.
In the 29th minute Burns slotted another attempt at goal to make it a one-point game.
With half-time looming Newcastle moved up the field with purpose, and despite some try-saving efforts from the visitors, Sinoti Sinoti manaed to crash over in impressive fashion with two defenders trying to get him into touch.
The second try was not converted, giving Newcastle a lead of 12-6 as the teams went into the break.
The game settled into frugal defence in the second hlaf as neither side were able to make any headway, and it was in the 60th minute that the first points of the second period were scored thanks to the boot of the visiting fly-half Burns.
Burns had a chance to draw the sides level from the tee shortly thereafter, but his attempt fell short as the game drew to a tense close.
The final moments all belonged to Leicester as they led an array of attacking phases into the Newcastle territory, spurred on by the traveling supporters.
They fell short on a number of occasions before a high ball went up and was contested by full-backs Alex and Matthew Tait and ended up in the possession of replacement Tommy Bell who scored a try with just four minutes remaining.
The try was converted and Tigers held on to take a 16-12 win that keeps them in contention for a play-off place as the season stretches into the latter stages.
