Leicester claim Slater Cup with win over Gloucester

Leicester Tigers 45-14 Gloucester Rugby, Mattioli Woods Welford Road

Leicester Tigers secured the season’s first Slater Cup with a convincing 45-14 victory over Gloucester Rugby at Mattioli Woods Welford Road in the final Gallagher PREM fixture before Christmas.

Gloucester began brightly in their purple away strip and created the first attacking opportunity. Charlie Atkinson’s half-break and offload released Rob Russell, but the move broke down before points could be scored.

Leicester soon settled and struck first. After sustained pressure, Izaia Perese was stopped just short of the line, but James Thompson was on hand to pick up and score, with Billy Searle converting for a 7-0 lead.

The Tigers extended their advantage on 20 minutes when Solomone Kata cut back against the grain to finish in the corner. The conversion was missed, but Gloucester’s afternoon became more difficult as injuries forced early changes, with Seb Blake and Russell both withdrawn.

Gloucester came close to responding before the break when Ollie Thorley was held up over the line. Instead, Leicester struck again on half-time. A cross-field kick found Ollie Hassell-Collins, and after a review, a penalty try was awarded, with Atkinson shown a yellow card. The hosts led 19-0 at the interval.

Leicester continued their dominance after the restart. Freddie Steward claimed a high ball and broke into space before feeding Tom Whiteley, who scored under the posts. Searle converted to make it 26-0. Moments later, Tommy Reffell pounced on a spilled box kick to add another try, extending the lead to 31-0.

Gloucester finally got on the board approaching the hour mark when Josh Hathaway stepped inside defenders to score, with Ross Byrne converting. The response was immediate, as Searle finished a sharp move and added the extras to restore Leicester’s control at 38-7.

Despite a late 20-minute red card for Charlie Clare, Leicester remained dominant. Ollie Chessum broke through to score before Gloucester grabbed a late consolation through Jack Clement from a maul. The final whistle confirmed a comprehensive Tigers win and Slater Cup success.

Team line up:

Leicester: Steward; Radwan, Perese, Kata, Hassell-Collins; Searle, Whiteley; Smith, Blamire, Heyes, Henderson, Wells, Thompson, Reffell (c), Moro.

Reserves: Clare, Haffar, Hurd, Chessum, Williams, van Poortvliet, Bailey, Woodward.

Gloucester: C Atkinson; Russell, Butler, S Atkinson, Thorley; Byrne, Williams (c); Rapava Ruskin, Blake, Laulala, Thomas, Clark, Basham, Ludlow, Clement.

Reserves: Innard, Ford-Robinson, Fasogbon, Jordan, Taylor, Austin, Knight, Hathaway.