Leicester Tigers edge Gloucester 38-31 to retain Slater Cup
Leicester Tigers beat Gloucester 38-31 at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on 9 October for their first home win of the season.
The Tigers led 21-14 at half-time and held on late to retain the Slater Cup. Gloucester suffered a first defeat of the campaign but stayed top of the Prem, thanks to two bonus points snatched at the death BBC Sport.
Leicester started down a man. Fly-half Billy Searle was sent to the sin-bin — ten minutes off the field after a yellow card — early on, and Gloucester struck twice while he was off. Jac Morgan and Dian Bleuler both crossed to punish the gap.
The hosts hit back hard. Tries from Finn Carnduff, Joe Heyes, Jamie Blamire, Aaron Wainwright and Ollie Hassell-Collins put Leicester in control. Searle made amends with the boot, landing five conversions — the extra kicks awarded after a try — and one penalty.
Gloucester refused to go quietly. Will Trenholm also scored, before replacement hooker Jack Innard barged over late to secure a four-try bonus point. George Barton then slotted an 82nd-minute penalty to add a second bonus point, given for losing by seven points or fewer. Barton finished with two conversions and a penalty, while Englefield added two conversions.
The nine-try contest kicked off at 19:45 in front of the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, with Karl Dickson as referee. It was fast, physical and loud. Fatigue showed on both sides in the final ten minutes.
For fans, this means the title picture stays open. Gloucester arrived in Leicester after winning their first two Gallagher PREM matches, including a 48-0 rout of Harlequins at Kingsholm. Leicester had lost their opener 38-40 to Saracens, so a home response mattered.
There was extra meaning beyond the league points. Leicester retained the Slater Cup, the trophy honouring former Gloucester and Tigers captain Ed Slater, who retired in 2022 after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2022.
