Leicester hold off Gloucester in thrilling Premiership clash

Leicester got here again from an 11-point half-time deficit to edge previous Gloucester in one more nail-biting Gallagher Premiership encounter.

It was particularly harsh on Max Llewellyn, who scored a hat-trick of tries however ended up on the dropping facet.

The guests to Welford Highway started fantastically with Llewellyn notching the opener after which Freddie Thomas racing 40m to increase the benefit.

Ollie Hassell-Collins scored an excellent strive for the Tigers, however Llewellyn’s second earlier than the break ensured the large half-time lead.

Leicester dominated the second half with Handre Pollard, Josh Bassett and Dan Kelly getting rewarded for the work from the large males in entrance, making a lead which even Llewellyn’s late third couldn’t overhaul.

With 49 extra carries, getting close to two-thirds of possession and 60% territorial benefit, the sport may have been much more one-sided, however because the sample of scoring advised it was certainly a recreation of two halves.

Gloucester confirmed their aptitude within the opener and took a deserved lead, with Tomos Williams controlling the tempo of the sport and retaining the Tigers on the again foot.

The second half was much less simple on the attention however no recreation on this league is over till it is over and when Gloucester superior into the Leicester 22 within the remaining three minutes, they appeared on the verge of swaying the sport again their means till Josh Hathaway’s unlucky fumble.

Gloucester, with one win in 5, will develop weary of their tag because the league entertainers in the event that they proceed to lose these video games, however they confirmed indicators with a wise kicking recreation and resolute defence that more-rounded shows should not far-off.

Definitely TNT Sports activities viewers will hope they don’t lose what has made them must-see leisure.

There have been wonderful performances from either side: Julian Montoya as all the time was colossal for the Tigers and Max Llewellyn is unlucky to lose each the sport and this award, however Cracknell was imperious after the break.

The large No. 8 had 25 carries within the match, eight greater than the subsequent finest, Montoya, and his efforts performed a giant half within the ball dwelling in Gloucester’s half, which in the end proved pivotal in his facet’s victory.

Leicester: Steward 7, Bassett 7, Kelly 7, Woodward 6, Hassell-Collins 7, Pollard 7, Van Poortvliet 6; Smith 7, Montoya 8, Heyes 7, Wells 6, Chessum 7, Liebenberg 7, Refell 7, Cracknell 8*.

Replacements: Clare 6, Cronin 6, Cole 6, Manz 6, Ilione 6, Youngs 6, Shillcock 5, Wand 7.

Gloucester: Carreras 7, Hathaway 6, Llewellyn 8, Atkinson 7, Jones 6, Atkinson 6, Williams 7; Knight 6, Singleton 6, Gotovtsev 6, Clark 6, Thomas 7, Clement 6, Ludlow 6, Mercer 7.

Replacements: Blake 6, Ruskin 6, Fasogbon 6, Alemanno 6, Tuisue 6, Taylor 6, Englefield 6, Hillman-Cooper 6.

9′ TRY! LEICESTER 3-5 GLOUCESTER (LLEWELLYN)! Atkinson holds his go brilliantly wrong-footing the Leicester defence after which passing to Llewellyn, who ran in after which raced below the posts to the touch down.

13′TRY! LEICESTER 3-12 GLOUCESTER (THOMAS)! Surprised silence at Welford Highway as Thomas slid over the road below a sort out from Chessum. They checked whether or not he saved management of the ball, however gave the OK.

23′ TRY! LEICESTER (HASSELL-COLLINS) 8-12 GLOUCESTER! An important strive from Hassell-Collins. He obtained the ball a few metres in from the left touchline and goes exterior his man earlier than brushing previous Carreras and two extra tried tackles on the road.

38′TRY! LEICESTER 8-19 GLOUCESTER (LLEWELLYN)! They’re so thrilling, Gloucester. An important break from Carreras chasing a chip excessive obtained them to the brink of the road, Although the Tigers snuffed out the preliminary risk, when the ball got here vast, Llewellyn formed as if to go and as an alternative raced over the road the best nook.

43′ LEICESTER (POLLARD) 13-19 GLOUCESTER! An important set piece routine from a 5m faucet penalty works for the second week operating. This time, they go proper to left and good arms from Montoya units up Pollard to run in below the posts.

49′TRY! LEICESTER (BASSETT) 20-19 GLOUCESTER! Steward with a wonderful run as much as the final Gloucester defender after which he handed vast to Bassett to run in.

66′TRY! LEICESTER (KELLY) 27-19 GLOUCESTER! They held out for some time on their very own line, nevertheless it appeared a matter of time and Kelly barged by means of the sort out of Atkinson and goes over to the touch down. They’ve their bonus level now.

72′TRY! LEICESTER 29-24 GLOUCESTER (LLEWELLYN)! Shillcock races out to sort out Llewellyn however the hat-trick man brushes him off to attain below the posts.

• 199 – The variety of tackles from Gloucester on this match – 92 greater than Leicester.