Leicester Tigers secured their first victory of the season with a late try against the Newcastle Red Bulls in a fiercely contested Premiership Rugby match held at Kingston Park. Will Hurd’s quick tap penalty five metres from the line proved decisive, allowing him to power over for the winning score in front of a sell-out home crowd.
Newcastle opened the scoring early through debutant wing Obi Ene, who capitalized on the Red Bulls’ fast-paced, offloading style to cross the line after a well-executed long pass from fly-half Brett Connon. Despite this early setback, Leicester responded with composure. Hooker Sam Moli crossed for a try following a ten-metre lineout drive, converted by Billy Searle, as Tigers maintained control through careful game management from captain Jack van Poortvliet.
Leicester’s Adam Radwan, formerly with Newcastle, added a try just before halftime after collecting a clever kick from fullback Freddie Steward. Searle converted and added a penalty to bring the Tigers’ lead to 17-5 at the break. Newcastle showed signs of mounting pressure late in the first half, with Max Hicks and captain Tom Christie leading strong forward surges, but the home side’s defense held firm.
The second half featured numerous substitutions, which briefly shifted momentum to Newcastle. Joe Heyes’ departure from the Leicester scrum resulted in the Tigers conceding possession and allowing the Red Bulls to mount a sustained attacking spell. The home side’s resilience paid off when hooker George McGuigan scored a try, converted by Connon, narrowing the gap to 17-12.
Newcastle continued to press, with Ollie Leatherbarrow and Simón Benítez Cruz forcing their way deep into Leicester territory. A sustained assault eventually culminated in a late try by Cameron Jordan, converted by Zack Henry, putting the Red Bulls within striking distance.
However, Leicester’s van Poortvliet orchestrated a clever break that led to a crucial five-metre penalty, which Hurd quickly tapped to himself to power through defenders for the match-winning try. Despite another late score from Newcastle, the Tigers held on to win.
The final scoreline read Leicester Tigers 22, Newcastle Red Bulls 24, with the Tigers earning their first win of the campaign and Newcastle securing a losing bonus point. The match demonstrated Newcastle’s growing competitiveness at home, while Leicester’s tactical discipline and composure under pressure proved decisive.
Referee Chris Ridley oversaw a physical encounter marked by intense collisions and strong defensive efforts. Both teams showed promising signs early in the season, with Leicester demonstrating calm leadership in the form of captain van Poortvliet and Newcastle indicating their capability to challenge established sides through pace and dynamic ball movement.