Resurgent Tigers overpower Saints in derby downpour

The PremLeicester (28) 3Tries: Blamire, Henderson, Carnduff, Steward Cons: Searle Pens: Steward, Searle Northampton (7) 7Tries: Pater Cons: Smith Leicester Tigers gained revenge for their defeat in last season's Prem playoff semi-finals to defeat rivals Northampton Saints in torrential conditions at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.In a first half played at the mercy of the weather, neither team was able to find a rhythm, with James Pater's early opportunist try and Freddie Steward's long-range penalty the only scores on the board.But, inspired by a major scuffle on the verge of half-time, the Tigers subsequently dominated. First, Jamie Blamire drove over from a rolling maul, before Cam Henderson barrelled his way through Saints tacklers to slide over in the corner.Faced with the onslaught, the shellshocked Saints were unable to prevent further tries from Finn Carnduff and Steward, as the visitors' wait for a league win at their near rivals stretches to four years.Seemingly inspired by the tussle, the Tigers came out with a renewed purpose after the break.Within minutes, Blamire was able to find his jumper five metres out and with the backs adding their weight, the Tigers powered over. The hooker ultimately emerging with the ball.Having attained dominance in the scrum, the Tigers then struck again. Following strong running from Solomone Kata, Gabe Hamer-Webb and Henderson combined down the wing, to send the lock over the whitewash.The Tigers were in the ascendancy and soon had a third through Carnduff, who drove over after a short-range pass from the imperious Joe Heyes as the Saints' defence tired.Steward then put the gloss on the victory. The full-back stepping Archie McParland to grab what had appeared an unlikely try bonus point, to the delight of the home fans.The result leaves the Tigers in second behind Gloucester, while Northampton drop to fourth. Leicester: Steward; Radwan, Wand, Kata, Hamer-Webb; Searle, van Poortvliet; Van der Flier, Blamire, Heyes; Henderson, Chessum (c), Wainwright, Carnduff, Cracknell.Replacements: Asiata, Haffar, Hurd, Thompson, Moro, Whiteley, Bailey, Pearson.Northampton: Pater; Freeman, Hutchinson, Dingwall (c), Hendy; Smith, Mitchell; Iyogun, Langdon, Kundiona; Coles, Prowse, Kemeny, Pearson, Pollock.Replacements: Smith, Fischetti, Neculai, van der Mescht, Lockett, Chick, McParland, Sleightholme.Yellow Card: Lockett (69).Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys