Leicester Tigers End Losing Run With 24-19 Win Over Newcastle

Leicester Tigers finally broke their losing run with a tense 24-19 win at Newcastle Red Bulls. The Tigers won for the first time in seven matches in all competitions, ending a run that stretches back into last season. Newcastle led early but could not hold on, with Leicester showing grit and determination to close out the win.

Early Newcastle Lead

Three minutes into his Prem debut, Obi Ene found the net for Newcastle at Kingston Park. He weaved inside after collecting Brett Connon’s cut-out pass before diving over.

Leicester Take the Lead

Tigers took the lead when Samiuela Moli threw himself over at the back of a driving maul, with Billy Searle landing the conversion to give his side a narrow edge. Not long after, Gabriel Hamer-Webb almost crossed the whitewash, only for Christian Wade to make a try-saving tackle.

Radwan’s Return

Freddie Steward’s grubber kick set up Adam Radwan for his return to Kingston Park goal, while Searle tacked on the extras with both a conversion and a penalty.

Newcastle Miss Opportunities

Before half-time Newcastle had two clear opportunities to add another try, but failed to take either. After the restart the game got off to a messy start, until Leicester replacement Will Wand made a textbook challenge that stopped Ene from scoring again.

Radwan’s Missed Second

Radwan turned down a golden opportunity to add to his tally by sending the ball dead when he had an entire half of the pitch to move into instead. Leicester suffered for that waste when George McGuigan’s pick-and-go carried him over from close range, narrowing the gap to just five points.

Third Try Decides It

With just 12 minutes left on the clock, Will Hurd’s rapid touch allowed him to surge forward, and Searle followed by landing the conversion to restore the two-score margin.

Newcastle’s Late Response

Just under seven minutes before full time, Newcastle broke through Leicester. Ollie Leatherbarrow’s bold carry saw him break a tackle, which set up Cameron Jordan’s try. Zack Henry added the extras.

Holding On

Leicester secured their win by kicking the ball into touch, even as Newcastle pushed forward. Wade delivered a trademark run down the wing for the visitors, yet the home side’s defence held firm throughout.

Post-Match Reaction

Dan McFarland, Newcastle Red Bulls director of rugby, told BBC Radio Newcastle: “I’m really disappointed, to be honest. It was a game we could have won. Really pleased with the way we approached the game. I thought we were full of effort, full of energy. Most importantly, we were full of the endeavour that we wanted to put in, in terms of the way we wanted to play the game. Unfortunately, we were not accurate enough in key areas – but that will grow.”

The Leicester Tigers head coach, Geoff Parling, spoke with BBC Radio Leicester, where he said “Gritty and dogged. Defensively, some good resolve and they’re [Newcastle] going to break some teams this year with their quality attack and good speed. There’s loads to improve on. The general feeling in the changing room is disappointment, which is great for me.”.

Key Facts Box

• Score: Newcastle 19, Leicester 24
• Tries: Ene, McGuigan, Jordan (Newcastle); Moli, Radwan, Hurd (Leicester)
• Conversions: Connon, Henry (Newcastle); Searle (Leicester)
• Penalties: Searle (Leicester)
• Match: Newcastle’s first home match of the season
• Leicester’s run: Seven matches without a win in all competitions

Comparison Table

Leicester escaped with a win after Newcastle’s energy and effort came up short. The Tigers were pushed hard by a Newcastle side that displayed the kind of work rate that McFarland praised, but mistakes in key moments proved costly. Leicester will take the win and move on, while Newcastle will need to fix the errors that allowed them to slip away.

Source material: “Leicester hold off Newcastle for first Prem win,” the BBC.

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