Leicester Tigers Development XV took on England U21's at the Matt Hampson Challenge Match at the Welford Road on 16 May. Alex Wright went along to absorb the atmosphere and most importantly see who would win! Take a look at pics from the match...
| "Nearing the final whistle the England side sealed victory with another try by James Haskell " | | Alex Wright, Guest Contributor |
This was a special match organised in aid of the Matt Hampson Trust Fund. With a crowd of 6,256 and all the money raised on the night, the match proved to provide a substantial donation to the injured player's trust. Alex's Match Report The Tigers defended strongly from the start forced back into there own half keeping England at bay. An early break for the tigers resulted in a try by Will Skinner who started the scoring within the first 15 minutes.
Tigers 5 - 0 England Tigers were driven straight back to their try line where they gave away a penalty about 10 metres in front of the post. This was easily put over by Mike Brown, starting England’s scoring.
Tigers 5 - 3 England The persistent attacks from the England team provided them with their first try within 28 minutes scored by number 7, Michael Hills and converted by Mike Brown to give England the lead.
Tigers 5 – 10 England
 | | Rugby scrum |
Tigers pushed forward and forced their way through but ware yet again pushed back resulting in an England try scored by Paul Diggin. Conversion missed.
Tigers 5 – 15 England In the final few minutes of the first half the Tigers desperately tried to keep England from scoring another try but after a relentless last push from England they broke through to score. It was Michael Hill's second try of the match again converted by Mike Brown that brought the fist half to a close.
Tigers 5 – 22 England Half Time From the start the Tigers turned their game around winning more of the ball and after a tough 13 minutes broke through to score their second try of the match by Vavae Tuilagi and converted by Matt Smith.
Tigers 12 – 22 England
 | | Spectators enjoying the match |
Another five minutes of play and the Tigers managed to score again bringing the England score within reach. Try scored by Ollie Dodge but conversion missed.
Tigers 17 – 22 England The next 10 minutes were very tense with both sides bringing the ball deep inside each other’s half. England had a break and pushed through the Tigers lines to take the score a little further from Leicester’s reach. Scored by Mike Brown and converted by Jamie Leonard.
Tigers 17 – 29 England Nearing the final whistle the England side sealed victory with another try by James Haskell which was again converted by Jamie Leonard, ending a great game with spurts of brilliance from both sides. Full Time: Tigers 17 – 36 England | 
