Tigers edge semi-final epic
Leicester will face Wasps in the Guinness Premiership final after the Tigers beat Gloucester 26-25 at Kingsholm.
By Joe Drabble
Last Updated: 19/05/08 4:32pm
Leicester will face Wasps in the Guinness Premiership final after Andy Goode's last-gasp drop goal saw the Tigers overcome a 22-13 deficit to defeat Gloucester 26-25 at Kingsholm.
Goode struck 16 of his side's points as Gloucester, leading the Premiership for eight months, suffered the cruellest of defeats in front of their home crowd.
Ryan Lamb struck 17 points on his 22nd birthday as Gloucester controlled the majority of the contest, however tries from Alesana Tuilagi and Aaron Mauger sprung the Tigers into life in a dramatic seven minute spell in the second period.
James Simpson-Daniel scored in between the two Tigers tries to give the home side a 22-13 lead, but Leicester refused to surrender, and it was Goode who arrived right on cue as his dramatic drop goal 90 seconds from time meant Marcelo Loffreda's men became the first side to record a semi-final triumph on away soil since the play-offs were introduced.
Tindall blow
Gloucester were dealt an injury blow just minutes before kick-off when Mike Tindall was forced to withdraw through injury - Willie Walker stepping in at full-back with Iain Balshaw moving into the vacant centre spot.
Spurred on by the vociferous Kingsholm crowd Gloucester flew out of the traps - a stunning kick inches from the Tigers try-line by Lamb epitomising the hosts exceptional start to the game.
After dominating the early stages, it was the English fly-half who kicked over the first points of the match after former Gloucester prop Mefin Davies was caught offside.
Leicester responded superbly and despite Goode missing a straightforward penalty moments later, he did level the scores at the second attempt after his long-range penalty made its way over via the right post.
The penalties continued to arrive with worrying regularity and Lamb made it two out of two soon after as he clinically dispatched another one through the middle of the posts after former England captain Martin Corry had been penalised.
Lesley Vainikolo was clearly playing with a point to prove after being left out of this summer's England squad to tour New Zealand.
The Gloucester wing made a number of powerful bursts during the first half, and he was instrumental in the play which saw Jordan Crane sent to the sin bin for taking out Simpson-Daniel off the ball.
Indiscipline
Things went from bad to worse for Leicester after Lamb kicked over his third penalty as the visitors were reduced to 13 men when scrum half Harry Ellis was penalised for deliberately killing the ball.
Despite their superiority the home side could not breach the Tigers resilient defence and in the end Gloucester had to settle for another three points from the boot of Lamb after Leicester had conceded yet another penalty.
Neither side made any changes at half time and it was Goode who gave Leicester a fantastic start to the second period as he blasted home a penalty from just inside the Gloucester half to take the score to 12-6.
However, the visitors' indiscipline continued to prove to be their downfall as yet another penalty - three Leicester players guilty of infringing, enabled Lamb to slot over his and Gloucester's 15th point of the afternoon.
As the game looked certain to be decided by the penalty count Leicester delivered a hammer blow with a phenomenal score by Tuilagi.
The 'Samoan Hammer' bulldozed his way through a number of Gloucester challenges before clattering past Lamb to complete a wonderful score in the corner. Goode's conversation brought the score to 15-13 with 25 minutes of appetising rugby still to be played.
As the Tigers sensed a comeback Gloucester delivered the perfect repost through Simpson-Daniel after a superb assist from Akapusi Qera.
Sensational
The Fijian fashioned an opening majestically before slipping the ball into the path of the Gloucester centre who burst under the posts for his 10th score of the season. Lamb's sweet conversion extended the lead to 22-13.
After waiting nearly an hour for the first try all of a sudden there were three in the space of seven sensational minutes of rugby.
Geordan Murphy had crafted a magical break which pushed Gloucester well back inside their own 22. Lamb's attempted clearance went straight up in the air and as the ball bounced awkwardly Balshaw produced a misplaced pass which was picked up by Mauger who had the simple task of grounding the ball under the posts.
Goode's routine conversation made it 22-20 and all of a sudden Leicester were just one kick away from taking the lead for the first time in the game.
And right on cue the penalty arrived. The Gloucester pack were penalised once more and Goode nonchalantly stroked home another from long-range to give the Tigers the most slender of leads with just over 10 minutes remaining.
After Lamb missed a tough touchline attempt the Kingsholm faithful were quickly being drowned out by the jubilant Tigers supporters who sensed yet another final appearance at Twickenham.
However, with just four minutes remaining the game took yet another twist. Gloucester set up the drop-goal play and Walker duly obliged with a perfectly placed kick as Kingsholm erupted again as the hosts took a 25-23 lead.
If there is ever a side who just don't know how to give in it is Leicester. And with 90 seconds to play the ball was set for Goode - and the Tigers No.10 planted his drop-goal through the middle of the posts to seal the most dramatic of victories and a fourth successive final appearance.
