Leicester Tigers edge out Gloucester Rugby 34-31 to win Premiership Rugby Under-18s Academy title

by The TRU Team Monday 18 February 2019

Allianz Park hosted the Premiership Rugby Under-18s Academy final

©PA

Leicester Tigers 34-31 Gloucester Rugby, Allianz Park

Sam Costelow contributed with 19 points as Leicester Tigers edged out Gloucester Rugby 34-31 in a tight final to defend the Premiership Rugby Under-18s Academy title.

The Tigers looked comfortable with a 24-0 lead at half-time but managed to resist a terrific second half comeback from the Cherry and Whites as the game went all the way down to the wire.

Costelow gave a perfect start for the Tigers as he breached the defence of Gloucester early in the game for the opening try and soon their second touchdown came following a turnover from Ronnie Du Randt, who offloaded to Joe Browning. Costelow, who kicked both the conversions also slotted a penalty goal to take the scoreline 17-0.

The Tigers looked in total control after Browning with swift pace got his second try of the game and with Costelow improving it the teams went into the break with a scoreline of 24-0.

A clincial display so far from reigning champions @LeicesterTigers ??

Can @gloucesterrugby get back into this #Under18sFinals Grand Final? pic.twitter.com/YkeWcjPxM9
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) February 17, 2019

There looked no respite for Gloucester with Costelow kicking his second penalty in the game to stretch the lead to 27 points before the Kingsholm outfit finally managed a breakthrough with a try from Stephen Varney. Just when Gloucester began to gain momentum with Louis Rees-Zammit also dotting down, Leicester replied back through hooker Archie Vanes.

Gloucester almost shocked Leicester when Ethan Hunt crossed over in the 20 minutes and their momentum took a shot in the arm as they were awarded a penalty try before Rees-Zammit broke down the wing again but eventually fell three points short of Leicester's tally as Barton's penalty hit Leicester's post.

Despite @gloucesterrugby notching 31 points in the second half, @LeicesterTigers had enough to see #Under18sFinals glory at Allianz Park as a host of #PremProspects shone ??

Match report ?? https://t.co/8KfFwLWtrx pic.twitter.com/2pcCR3OQZQ
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) February 17, 2019