Leicester Tigers have got their Aviva Premiership campaign off to a positive start courtesy of a 28-16 victory over London Irish at the Madejski Stadium.
In a tense encounter which saw just two tries scored, the visitors won a penalty in the first minute for an infringement at the breakdown, with Tommy Bell making no mistake to rifle the ball between the posts.
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Eight minutes later the Tigers further cemented their lead by securing a try that came courtesy of a misplaced pass by Chris Noakes, which allowed Peter Betham to collect and stroll in under the posts, before Bell duly converted.
Noakes claimed his side's first points from a 15th-minute penalty kick, but three minutes later Bell struck again from a dead-ball situation to keep his side well in front.
Irish then went on to claim their first and only try of the game 22 minutes in through Jebb Sinclair, who touched down following a lineout, before Noakes added the extras.
The rest of the game would be determined by a succession of penalty kicks, with two going the way of the hosts and five falling to the visitors, who comfortably held on for a solid victory.
Giuseppe Labellarte
