Leicester Tigers suffer frustrating defeat to Exeter while Harlequins beat Newcastle

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Leicester Tigers suffer frustrating late defeat by Exeter while Harlequins beat Newcastle in entertaining encounter as Gallagher Premiership returns

  • Leicester Tigers were beaten 24-20 by Exeter in the Gallagher Premiership
  • Patrick Schickerling scored a late try as Exeter managed to secure victory
  • Harlequins won 40-31 against Newcastle in a hugely entertaining encounter 

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Leicester Tigers suffered a heartbreaking start to their Gallagher Premiership title defence after Exeter prop Patrick Schickerling’s try consigned them to a last-minute defeat.

In a competitive tussle in which a draw would have been fair, Exeter were rewarded for a strong final 20 minutes — a 24-20 win providing a morale boost after last season’s seventh-placed finish.

Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick expressed his disappointment at the loss, saying: ‘Exeter came out with a specific plan but we missed crucial opportunities.

Patrick Schickerling scored a late try as Exeter Chiefs managed to overcome Leicester Tigers

Patrick Schickerling scored a late try as Exeter Chiefs managed to overcome Leicester Tigers

‘Going down to 14 with a yellow card and losing Freddie Burns to a failed assessment didn’t help.’

Chiefs’ Joe Simmonds and Tigers’ Burns exchanged early penalties before Burns conceded a penalty try and was sinbinned, deliberately knocking over his dead ball line.

Chiefs led 17-6 at half-time but gifted the Tigers a try soon after the break after Hanro Liebenberg capitalised on Simmonds’ charged-down kick. Tigers now had the momentum and took the lead when hooker Charlie Clare crashed over.

But Exeter stormed back and were finally rewarded by Schickerling bundling over.

Harlequins managed to beat Newcastle 40-31 in a pulsating contest at Kingston Park

Harlequins managed to beat Newcastle 40-31 in a pulsating contest at Kingston Park

Harlequins managed to beat Newcastle 40-31 in a pulsating contest at Kingston Park

Meanwhile, Harlequins survived an opening day scare, defeating Newcastle 40-31 in what was a pulsating contest at Kingston Park.

There were 11 tries in total and Falcons had led 31-28 inside the final 10 minutes before England internationals Alex Dombrandt and Joe Marchant crossed late to seal a Quins victory.

And Harlequins coach Tabai Matson lauded his adventurous side afterwards. ‘One of the things I love about coaching this team is that they are so positive.’ he said. ‘We’ve taken five points, so it’s a stunning start and we are happy to be getting on that plane home.’

England international Alex Dombrandt helped Harlequins get the better of Newcastle

England international Alex Dombrandt helped Harlequins get the better of Newcastle

England international Alex Dombrandt helped Harlequins get the better of Newcastle

Although Quins made much of the early running, Newcastle wingers Adam Radwan and Nathan Earle both scored sensational solo efforts for Newcastle, putting them ahead at half-time.

The second period saw momentum swing back and forth. Tries from George Head and Lennox Anyanwu appeared to give Quins breathing space before George McGuigan and Logovi’i Mulipola hit back.

But Harlequins’ international quality shone through. Dombrandt muscled over to restore their lead before Marchant capitalised on a loose ball to wrap up the result with less than a minute left.