Leicester Tigers secured their Guinness Premiership play-off place with a commanding 28–17 victory over Gloucester at a sold-out Welford Road, Andy Goode kicking 13 points and Tom Varndell, Alesana Tuilagi and Geordan Murphy all crossing.
Leicester Tigers confirmed their place in the Guinness Premiership play-offs with a comfortable 28–17 victory over Gloucester Rugby at Welford Road on Saturday, a dominant first-half display laying the platform for Martin Corry's side to secure a crucial two points.
Andy Goode was the architect from fly-half, kicking three penalties and two conversions to add to three excellent tries, as Tigers ran in a total of 28 unanswered first-half points before Gloucester rallied in the second period.
Goode opened the scoring with penalties on 7 and 21 minutes, exploiting Gloucester indiscipline at the breakdown. Tom Varndell then broke Gloucester hearts on 33 minutes, the winger accelerating past Anthony Allen and diving over in the corner — Goode adding the conversion.
Gloucester had their moments, with Lesley Vainikolo causing problems with his powerful carrying and Nicky Robinson managing a penalty before half-time. But Leicester's defence — marshalled superbly by Ben Kay and Louis Deacon in the second row — held firm.
A third Goode penalty extended the lead to 21–3 at the interval. Gloucester fought back in the second half, James Simpson-Daniel adding a try on 41 minutes and Olly Morgan crossing on 67 to make it 21–17 with fifteen minutes remaining.
But Leicester settled the contest when replacement Scott Bemand's quick tap penalty created the space for Alesana Tuilagi to power over, before Geordan Murphy's interception try on 74 minutes sealed a crucial victory. Tigers' director of rugby Marcelo Loffreda praised the character of his squad: "We showed we can win the tight ones when it matters."