Flood kicks Tigers to victory

3:12pm Sunday 12th October 2008

Toby Flood ensured Leicester's bid for a record-equalling third European title began in successful fashion with a 12-6 win against Ospreys at Welford Road.

The England international went off nursing a leg injury 20 minutes from time, but his four first-half penalties were enough to ground the Welsh region.

Shane Williams scored a drop-goal, with James Hook adding a penalty for Ospreys - he also missed two shots at goal - as Tigers avenged their Twickenham defeat in last season's EDF Energy Cup final.

With a potentially try-laden trip ahead of them to Pool Three whipping boys Treviso next Saturday, Leicester are up and running in pursuit of a third Heineken Cup triumph that would match French giants Toulouse.

The Ospreys though must beat Liberty Stadium visitors Perpignan in six days' time, or risk a possible pool stage exit.

Tigers were hungrier and quicker at the critical breakdown area, and it took Ospreys 14 minutes to break into Leicester's 22, by which time they were 3-0 behind.

Flood completed his penalty hat-trick early in the second quarter, landing one kick from a metre inside Leicester's half, but Tigers also blew three clear try-scoring chances.

Flood's fourth successful penalty put Leicester 12 points clear, and it took the Ospreys 39 minutes to open their account through a Williams drop-goal.

Williams' left-footed strike went over via the post, and referee Alain Rolland required confirmation from the video official before awarding it.

A Hook penalty after 58 minutes further cut the deficit but their was to be no further scoring as Leicester made a perfect start to their campaign.

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