Leicester Tigers made it back-to-back Gallagher PREM wins and retained the Slater Cup after seeing off Gloucester at Welford Road.
The final score looks closer than the game felt for long spells. Tigers were dominant through the middle of the match, with Archie van der Flier deservedly named Player of the Match. Gloucester rallied late, however, scoring enough tries to leave with a valuable bonus point.
Billy Searle also deserves huge credit. The fly-half was shown an early yellow card but recovered brilliantly to help steer Leicester to a big home win.
Scorers
Leicester Tigers:Tries: Ollie Hassell-Collins, Jamie Blamire, Joe Heyes, Finn Carnduff, Aaron WainwrightConversions: Billy Searle (5)Penalty: Billy Searle
Gloucester Rugby:Tries: Dian Bleuler, Jac Morgan, Will Trenholm, Jack InnardConversions: Caolan Englefield (2), George Barton (2)Penalty: George Barton
Star Player: Archie van der Flier (Leicester Tigers) — 9/10
Two tries from a loosehead prop. Not a bad night's work. Van der Flier was outstanding as Leicester recovered from a nightmare start to take control at Welford Road. A constant threat close to the line, he delivered the sort of performance front-rowers dream about. Two tries, a huge physical presence and a deserved star man award.
Biggest Flop: Charlie Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby) — 4/10
Not the homecoming he had in mind. The former Leicester playmaker struggled to make his mark against his old club as Tigers took control of the contest. Gloucester's attack lacked direction during their toughest spell, with Atkinson unable to turn the tide. The visitors' late fightback secured a bonus point, but this was an evening to forget for the fly-half.
Leicester Tigers player ratings
1. Archie van der Flier — 9
A massive performance. Set the physical tone, got through a mountain of work and was fully deserving of Player of the Match.
2. Jamie Blamire — 7
Accurate at the lineout, brought plenty of edge around the park and took his try well. A strong night in a Tigers pack that got on top.
3. Joe Heyes — 7
Part of a front row that gave Leicester a solid platform, with a try to show for his work. Kept Gloucester under pressure at the set-piece.
4. Finn Carnduff — 8
A seriously athletic display, capped by a try. Carried hard, competed well in the air and looked increasingly at home in the senior side.
5. Cameron Henderson — 7
Did the less glamorous work well. Busy in defence and helped Leicester win the physical battle.
6. Aaron Wainwright — 8
Explosive with ball in hand and disruptive without it. Took his try well as Gloucester struggled to contain him when Leicester had momentum.
7. Tommy Reffell — 7
Typical Reffell performance: sharp at the breakdown, relentless in defence and always in the right place.
8. Olly Cracknell — 8
A proper No. 8 shift. Made hard yards, linked play and gave Tigers front-foot ball throughout the key periods.
9. Jack van Poortvliet — 7
Kept the tempo high and made good decisions when Gloucester were under the pump. A composed display.
10. Billy Searle — 8
An early yellow could have knocked him off course. Instead, Searle responded brilliantly, landing five conversions and a penalty to finish with 13 points.
11. Ollie Hassell-Collins — 7
A real threat whenever Leicester found space and got himself on the scoresheet. Made his presence felt at both ends.
12. Orlando Bailey — 7
Brought calmness and shape to the midfield. Did plenty of good work that will not grab the headlines.
13. Will Wand — 7
Defended strongly and carried with intent. Another encouraging outing in the Tigers midfield.
14. Gabriel Hamer-Webb — 7
Worked hard off his wing and looked dangerous whenever Leicester found quick ball.
15. Freddie Steward — 8
So reliable under the high ball and brought real authority to Leicester’s back field. His kicking game helped keep Gloucester pinned back.
Gloucester Rugby player ratings
1. Dian Bleuler — 6
A difficult night at times, but he took his try well and helped Gloucester’s late push.
2. Dewi Lake — 6
Never stopped competing and helped drive the late response.
3. Afolabi Fasogbon — 5
Found the Leicester front row a real handful.
4. Jean Kleyn — 5
Worked hard, but Tigers had too much power for most of the night.
5. Freddie Thomas — 5
Busy without ever quite getting on top of the contest.
6. Lewis Ludlow — 6
One of Gloucester’s more combative performers. Scrapped for every inch.
7. Jac Morgan — 7
Kept competing at the breakdown and did his best to drag Gloucester back into the contest. Deserved his try.
8. Will Trenholm — 7
Worked hard throughout and crossed in Gloucester’s fightback.
9. Caolan Englefield — 5
Starved of clean, quick ball for too much of the match.
10. Charlie Atkinson — 4
Had too little front-foot ball for much of the match. There were flashes of quality, but Leicester’s pressure made it a difficult night for Gloucester’s fly-half.
11. Ben Loader — 6
Looked dangerous when Gloucester finally found some width and tempo.
12. Seb Atkinson — 6
Kept asking questions and was involved in the late revival.
13. Will Joseph — 5
A quiet night before Gloucester’s final push.
14. Ollie Thorley — 6
Worked hard and gave Gloucester some late-life.
15. Ben Redshaw — 5
Put under pressure by Leicester’s kicking game and had little attacking ball to work with.
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10 — Untouchable: Put in the sort of shift that deserves its own statue outside the ground.
9 — Different gravy: Had the opposition chasing shadows — and probably checking the scoreboard twice.
8 — Class act: Big carries, big moments, no panic. A proper “get him on the plane” performance.
7 — Did the hard yards: Not quite headline-grabbing, but got through more work than a front row at an all-you-can-eat buffet.
6 — Solid as a scrum: Did their job, made few mistakes and gave the coach little to complain about.
5 — A game of two halves: Some good touches, some moments best left in the changing room.
4 — Knocked on too often: Never quite got over the gainline and had a long afternoon.
3 — Sent backwards: The kind of outing where the final whistle cannot come quickly enough.
2 — In a ruck: Nothing stuck, every bounce went against them and the highlight reel is mercifully short.
1 — Red-carded by the ratings: A performance so rough it may need reviewing by the TMO.
