Tigers roar back to crush Leeds
Leicester came from behind to record an emphatic victory over Guinness Premiership strugglers Leeds with a second-half rout.
Last Updated: 28/11/09 5:40pm
Leicester came from behind to record an emphatic victory over Guinness Premiership strugglers Leeds with a second-half rout.
The Tigers went into the interval on level terms with the league's bottom club but a penalty try soon after half-time got them on their way with four further scores following.
Toby Flood, returning to the starting line-up for the first time since last season's Achilles tendon injury, scored 17 points before being substituted after 64 minutes with his side well on top.
The hosts scored 33 unanswered points in the second-half to re-ignite their title challenge with several key players back from international duty.
Flood got Tigers on the scoreboard after 12 minutes with a simple penalty but Joe Ford put the visitors in front within 10 minutes with two of his own, and with Lewis Moody sin-binned Leeds looked to extend their advantage.
But it was Flood who swiftly levelled the scores and Leicester camped out in the opposition 22 for the remainder of the half, unlucky not to be awarded a penalty try when Calum Clark was sin-binned.
England flanker Tom Croft was helped off before the break with a leg injury to be replaced by Brett Deacon, and the frustrated Tigers went into the dressing room with their tails between their legs.
But they soon made their territory count thereafter, and the referee finally lost patience with the Leeds forwards for another infringement, awarding the penalty try.
Clark returned to the fray but was unable to stop the Leicester juggernaut, Flood breaking through before offloading to Jordan Crane, who sent Scott Hamilton clear with the full-back putting Anthony Allen over for a fine score.
Tigers went further ahead when Deacon drove over from close range on the hour mark, Flood adding the two, and then Lote Tuqiri made a powerful run to give Flood a comeback try, which he again converted.
Flanker Moody then scored the try of the game by breaking away from the ruck 45 metres out and outpacing the Leeds defence to the line.
Replacement stand-off Jeremy Staunton converted to complete a miserable second half for the visitors, who remain rooted to bottom of the table.
