Match Centre: Leicester Tigers 19-11 Sale Sharks

Leicester Tigers 19-11 Sale Sharks, Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium

Leicester Tigers managed to overcome a late try from Curtis Langdon as they sealed their sixth successive win in the ongoing Gallagher Premiership edging out Sale Sharks 19-11 at Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium.

The win meant Leicester have consolidated their top place with six wins from as many games while Sale Sharks are at eighth place after losing their third game.

Both the teams were desperate for the opening points which eventually came in the 31st minute with Ford slotting a three-pointer at a 35m range following a high tackle on Ellis Genge but his efforts were negated with Kieran Wilkinson responding back with a three-pointer of his own six minutes later.

As the break was approaching, Ford provided Leicester Tigers with a slender lead with a 10m penalty kick in the 38th minute as the opening half ended with a 6-3 scoreline.

The Tigers were the quickest to get off the block in the second with Wiese’s offload put Youngs away on the right and eventually Hanro Liebenberg dived over the line in the 50th minute and Ford slotted the conversion making it 13-3. Wilkinson and Ford traded penalties again as the scoreline became 16-6 just before the hour mark.

With four minutes left in the game, Ford with his fourth penalty kick extended Leicester's lead to 13 points and Curtis Langdon's try in the final minute provided Sale Sharks some hope but could not manage to get over the line as they suffered an eight point defeat.

Team line up:

Leicester: Steward; Potter, Scott, Kelly, Nadolo; Ford, B Youngs; Genge, Montoya, Cole, Wells, Green, Liebenberg, Van Staden, J Wiese.

Reserves: Dolly, Leatigaga, Heyes, Martin, Reffell, Wigglesworth, Burns, Moroni.

Sale: Hammersley; McGuigan, Tuilagi, Van Rensburg, Yarde; Wilkinson, Warr; Rodd, Taylor, Schonert, C Wiese, De Jager, Ross, T Curry, JL du Preez.

Reserves: Langdon, Harrison, Oosthuizen, JP du Preez, B Curry, Thomas, Curtis, S James.