Tommy Reffell’s outstanding performance inspired Leicester
Tigers to secure their first win of the season against a resilient new-look
Newcastle Red Bulls side.
Leicester Tigers secured their first win of the Premiership
season with a dogged 24-19 victory over Newcastle Red Bulls at Kingston Park,
surviving a nail-biting finish to hold off the North East side.
Newcastle made a flying start when Obi Ene crossed after just two minutes, but Leicester quickly settled into the contest.
Samuela Moli powered over before former Newcastle winger Adam Radwan marked his return to Kingston Park with a try. Billy Searle converted both and added a penalty as Leicester took a 17-5 lead into half-time.
Red Bulls responded through George McGuigan, whose
pick-and-go from close range secured the try. Brett Connon added the conversion
to cut the deficit to five points.
The visitors restored their advantage through prop Will
Hurd, who powered over from close range following a five-metre tap-and-go.
Searle was again successful with the conversion.
Red Bulls refused to surrender, with Cam Jordan crossing
from the right-hand side before Zack Henry added the conversion to set up a
grandstand finish.
However, Leicester held firm in the closing stages to secure a much-needed 24-19 win on the road.
Newcastle Red Bulls vs Leicester Tigers scorers
Newcastle Red Bulls: Tries Ene (3), McGuigan (55), Jordan
(73); Conversions: Connon (1), Henry (1)
Leicester Tigers: Tries Moli (11), Radwan (21), Hurd (67);
Conversions Searle (3); Penalties Searle (1)
Player of the match – Tommy Reffell
Reffell was once again the backbone for Leicester, producing a brilliant performance at the breakdown and consistently being there when his side needed him. His work around the ball was crucial throughout, and he proved to be the difference in Tigers securing victory. He was arguably his side’s standout performer, with Leicester potentially struggling to hold on without his influence.
Biggest underperformer - Hoskins Sotutu
Sotutu endured a quiet evening, and with the hype surrounding the number eight, expectations were high for a big performance on his home debut. However, he struggled to gain a foothold in the game and was substituted early in the second half. The youngster still has plenty of time to develop, but this was not the big splash many expected from him this evening.
Player to watch - Obi Ene
On his debut, Ene impressed every time he got his hands on the ball, capping an encouraging performance with a try in the corner. For a debut, it does not get much better than that. The 23-year-old winger looks capable of becoming a fan favourite at Kingston Park if he can build on this promising start and gets more time and space with the ball.
Have your say!
Who was your Player of the Match?
Tommy Reffell
Billy Searle
Aaron Wainwright
Freddie Steward
Other?
Newcastle Red Bulls player ratings
- 15. Harrison Obatoyinbo – 7
- 14. Christian Wade – 7
- 13. Alex Hearle – 6
- 12. Chris Harris – 6
- 11. Obi Ene – 7
- 10. Brett Connon – 6
- 9. James Elliott – 5
- 8. Pouri Rakete-Stones – 6
- 7. George McGuigan – 7
- 6. Elliott Millar Mills – 5
- 5. Oscar Usher – 6
- 4. Cam Jordan – 7
- 3. Max Hicks – 6
- 2. Tom Christie – 6
- 1. Hoskins Sotutu – 6
Replacements
- 16. Ollie Fletcher – 6
- 17. Adam Brocklebank – 6
- 18. James Harper – 6
- 19. Franco Molina – 6
- 20. Ollie Leatherbarrow – 6
- 21. Sam Graham – 6
- 22. Simon Benitez Cruz – 6
- 23. Zack Henry – 6
Leicester Tigers player ratings
- 15. Freddie Steward – 8
- 14. Adam Radwan – 8
- 13. Solomone Kata – 6
- 12. Orlando Bailey – 6
- 11. Gabriel Hamer-Webb – 7
- 10. Billy Searle – 8
- 9. Jack van Poortvliet – 6
- 8. Olly Cracknell – 6
- 7. Tommy Reffell – 8
- 6. Aaron Wainwright – 7
- 5. Cameron Henderson – 6
- 4. James Thompson – 6
- 3. Joe Heyes – 7
- 2. Samuela Moli – 7
- 1. Mako Vunipola – 6
Replacements
- 16. Corbin Thunder – 6
- 17. Tarek Haffar – 6
- 18. Will Hurd – 7
- 19. Tom Manz – 6
- 20. Joaquin Moro – 6
- 21. Tom Whiteley – 6
- 22. Will Wand – 6
- 23. Ollie Hassell-Collins – 6
5 England Hopefuls who impressed
