Leicester score four second-half tries to beat Northampton 28-7

Leicester beat Northampton 28-7 in their Premiership derby on Saturday, scoring all four of their tries after half-time to secure a bonus-point victory. According to The Guardian’s match report, Jamie Blamire, Cameron Henderson, Finn Carnduff and Freddie Steward crossed as the Tigers recovered from a frustrating opening half in wet and windy conditions. Northampton, the reigning champions, were unable to add to their early converted try.

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The visitors struck through James Pater after Finn Smith chipped behind Leicester’s defence while playing with an advantage. Billy Searle failed to gather the ball, allowing Pater to collect and score. Leicester had opportunities of their own but repeatedly failed to turn penalties into points. They kicked four penalties to the corner in the first quarter, only to lose or fail to secure the possession that followed.

A confrontation involving players from both sides continued after the first half had ended and reached the steps of the Crumbie Stand. Northampton coach Phil Dowson subsequently played down its significance, describing the pushing and shoving as familiar derby behaviour. Leicester head coach Geoff Parling, meanwhile, praised the home crowd and the atmosphere in the stadium following his side’s win.

Leicester’s execution improved immediately after the interval. Blamire scored from a lineout drive within four minutes of the restart, putting the hosts one point ahead. Their scrum and lineout then helped sustain the pressure: a scrum penalty created another attacking opportunity, Henderson secured the lineout ball and later finished in the corner after being released by Gabriel Hamer-Webb.

That try extended Leicester’s advantage to six points. Five minutes later, Carnduff scored following another attacking lineout, taking the Tigers more than a converted try clear. Northampton’s first-half success was not repeated as Leicester continued to exploit their set-piece opportunities and the aerial contest in the difficult weather.

The bonus-point try arrived in the final 10 minutes after a disciplinary reversal. Adam Radwan initially received a yellow card for a slap-down during a Northampton attack, but an earlier head collision between Tom Lockett and Solomone Kata was then penalised. Lockett was sent to the sin-bin and Radwan’s card was rescinded. From the subsequent lineout, Steward scored Leicester’s fourth try to complete their second-half turnaround.