By Tigerstart
September 14 2002

Having already made their mark in the U21 league by beating Worcester (29-28) and Harlequins (10-20) the Tigers U21s faced Sale Sharks at Welford Road. Cheered on by an impressive crowd, who were being updated on the events at Heywood Road, the U21s did themselves proud. Initially, Tigers gave away penalties in profitable positions, where Sale took advantage and built up a lead by the 21st minute of 9 points. In the 34th minute, Sale’s No.7 was sin binned and that gave Tigers an advantage on the pitch – a break from Tigers own 22 saw Coles set off on a run and he breezed past the chasing Sale defence and scored. Another fine piece of play was soon after, as Tigers kicked over the defensive line and the ball went into touch. Sale countered and Tigers turned possession over, kicked over defence and chased after the ball down the blindside, but it went into touch. To round off the first half was a spectacular try from hooker Buckland, as Sale’s centre got through Tigers tackles but Glitherow turned possession over, set off from own 22, passed to Coles who ran the rest of the pitch before he was tackled but Buckland was waiting for the winning pass.

Tigers extended their lead in the second half through a penalty. It was Tigers turn to have a player sin binned. However, that didn’t stop Tigers as from a lineout and drive, captain Gerry scored a try in the 68th minute. Sale hit back and countered down the blindside, kicked across the defence, where their centre gathered and scored. Tigers scored another converted try. Sale hit back with a well orchestrated try, as a slip pass at speed to their replacement saw the player dive in. At the death, Tigers countered and turned the ball, just on Sale’s 22, but the referee gave Sale the decision.

Calls from Heywood Road were monitored all evening and if there has ever been a more profound statement than it was “What was the fly half like because Healey was poor tonight”. If the main team can take a few pointers from the U21s, then it is to go back to basics and get it right – make your tackles, spread the ball wide, use your forwards to drive and take your penalties to build up your score. If this is the future, then it’s looking very bright.

Scoring sequence:
10 mins Sale pen 0-3
12 mins Sale pen 0-6
21 mins Sale pen 0-9
28 mins Tigers pen by Myring 3-9
34 mins Tigers pen by Myring 3-9
39 mins Tigers try by Coles and con by Myring 13-9
45 mins Tigers try by Buckland and con by Myring 20-9

47 mins Tigers pen by Myring 23-9
68 mins Tigers try by Gerry and con by Myring 30-9
71 mins Sale try and con 30-16
74 mins Tigers try by Cook and con by Myring 37-16
87 mins Sale try and con 37-23

Date: Friday 13th September 2002 (superstitious for some!)
Time: 7.30pm k/o
Weather: Clear and bright but slightly cool
Crowd: about 1,000 (probably those who all couldn’t or didn’t want to go to Sale)
Referee: couldn’t hear his name being said as sound system was quiet

Team:
15 Tim Taylor
14 Tom Coles
13 Adam Billing
12 Steve Glitherow
11 James hersey
10 Luke Myring
9 Will Rolt
1 Peter Cook
2 James Buckland
3 Michael Holfrod
4 Rob Cooke
5 Lee Morley
6 Sam Raven
7 Peter Clarke
8 Ben Gerry (capt)
Replacements: Roman Piotroski, David Jackson, Alex Loney, James Henry, Chris Barlow, Ben Chamberlin and Yomi Akinyemi (some were used).