Leicester moved to within touching distance of a Heineken Cup quarter-final
berth with a magnificent victory over Pau under the shadow of the Pyrenees on Saturday
afternoon.
The Tigers now just need to avoid defeat against group basement outfit Glasgow
Caledonians at fortress Welford Road next Saturday to ensure a place in the last
eight.
Leicester's tackling stint was immense and they frustrated the home side,
keeping tight control.
The visitors capitalised on a jittery start by Pau in front of their own fans
and Tim Stimpson opened the scoring with a penalty.
Leicester refused to let Pau settle and added to their problems by increasing
their lead with a welcome try.
Irish referee Alan Lewis seemed to have taken the impetus out of a Tigers
attack when he blew quickly for a penalty to the visitors.
However, Tigers lock Ben Kay won the line-out superbly and although the
resulting maul was a mess, England flanker Neil Back nipped in for a try in the
corner.
Pau desperately tried to get back into the game but were shunted backwards by
inspirational Leicester defending.
When Pau did manage to create overlaps there was always one Leicester defender
which in supply.
Austin Healey's tackle on Arrieta was decisive when the Leicester rearguard
did crack.
Leicester responded with a fine run from winger Geordan Murphy down the right
wing and Pau were again lucky to clear their own line.
Stimpson then kicked his second penalty as the Pau forwards tried to block the
ball from a ruck.
The Leicester team came out in the second-half obviously under orders from
their coach Dean Richards to make Pau play catch-up rugby.
Pau became increasingly more frustrated by the pressure and tried to
physically push Leicester back.
Pau had to show their French magic in the other way of breaking the grip of
the visitors.
But Leon Lloyd sniffed out a dangerous Pau overlap in the dying seconds,
before left wing Xavier Cambres dropped the ball on the line, denying the hosts
a consolation try.
Teams:
Pau: Brusque, Bomati, Cistacq, Traille, Cambres, Arrieta,
Carbonneau, Larrouy, Rey, Bria, Charron, Chasseriau, Mallier,
Agueb, Harinordoquy.
Not Used: Bonnemasou, Triep-Capdeville, Etchegaray, Lagouarde,
Combes, Paille, Arbo.
Pens: Arrieta.
Leicester: Stimpson, Murphy, Lloyd, Deacon, Howard, Tuilagi,
Goode, Healey, Rowntree, West, Garforth, Corry, Kay, Moody, Back.
Not Used: W. Johnson, Cockerill, Freshwater, Jelley, Hamilton,
Balding, Smith, Grindal.
Tries: Back.
Pens: Stimpson 3.
Drop Goals: Goode 2.
Att: 7,000
Ref: A Lewis (IRFU).
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