Johnson takes to the wing as Tigers thrash Ulster

By Mike Hill
January 18 2004

Leicester Tigers marked the end of Martin Johnson's international career with a rousing 49 - 7 thrashing of last week's tormentor's Ulster. The Irish provincial side was completely humiliated by an impassioned and ruthless Tigers side hell bent on vengeance.

It is has been a miserable week for us supporters after last weeks catastrophe in Belfast. I am sure the team didn't enjoy it too much either but they answered their critics in the best possible fashion with Saturday's excellent display. We all know what this team is capable of on their day but they must now string a couple of wins together if we are to make the quarterfinals.

You can tell a lot about the mindset of a team by watching the pre match warm up and last weekend the players seemed distracted and tense. In total contrast this week the players seemed totally focused and hit the tackle bags ferociously. They started the game well and instantly put Ulster on the back foot. Led by Martin Johnson and Henry Tuilagi, the Tigers pack made some big hits and some early scuffles were comforting reminders of a team once more willing to take no prisoners.

Harry Ellis returned to action after his lengthy ban and slotted in perfectly, immediately developing a good understanding with Jacu. Ellis has always displayed pace and tenacity in abundance, on Saturday he showed a far greater maturity and grasp of the essentials of scrum half play. His service was slick and his awareness of runners around him much improved.

Sam Vesty another young player who is starting to shine, excelled in the slightly unfamiliar position of full back. He was entrusted with the kicking duties and didn't disappoint striking two early penalties as Tigers began to build a lead. A powerful surge up the right touch line by Dorian West got Tigers into a good position in the Ulster half but the chance looked to have gone when the ball went loose as Jacu tried to release Leon. However Henry pounced on the ball and drove hard tying in three Ulster players so that when Leon picked up the recycled ball he was able to sprint unopposed through a yawning gap and touch down under the posts.

Vesty converted to give Tigers a 13 point lead which they quickly increased to 19 as Ulster conceded penalties to Tigers rampant pack. An excellent Ellis cross kick bounced kindly to Sam Vesty who shrugged off one tackler regained his feet and got within five metres of the line with his second charge. The ball came back left and Leon threw a long pass to Henry who was stopped inches short. Ellis cleverly drew the cover infield before passing inside to Leon who dived over the line for his second score.

A half time score of 24-0 was all Tigers deserved and Baxter should have made it more as he failed to tap the ball over the line and fall on it after a clever grubber kick by Austin. I expected a second half comeback from the Ulstermen but apart from a five minute spell towards the end of the game they were never in contention. Tigers best try came five minutes after half time and looked suspiciously like a planned move executed to perfection.

Kay took the lineout and fed Johno on the peel who dummied Will on his outside to instead put a rampaging Ricky Nebbett clean through. As the cover finally came across to him he passed to Neil Back in support who went under the posts for his one millionth try for Leicester. Thrilling stuff, Ricky must have had his Weetabix that morning.

A four try bonus point was secured a few minutes later as Jacu van der Westhuysen scored his debut try with a powerful burst and hand off after the pack had mauled almost to the line. Jacu seemed quite delighted and the crowd was delirious as last weeks mauling was well and truly forgotten. The Ulster crowd had quite rightly made the most of their victory with chants of Easy! and ironic (and impressively tuneful) choruses of Swing Low. Well this was our turn and the Welford Road crowd returned the favour giving a rousing rendition of the Twickenham favourite.

Whilst we provide so many England players I think we should borrow their song now and again. After all every Irish side seems to have adopted the Fields of Athenry as their own and singing really adds something to the atmosphere. Topping's try after 72 minutes could prove crucial for Ulster in such a tight pool but it did nothing to dampen the party atmosphere.

None other than the most successful Sweet Chariot driver of them all, the newly retired Martin Johnson MBE, delivered the coup de grace of the afternoon. A more fitting and unpredictable ending couldn't have been dreamed of for this game than for Johno to streak 25 meters down the wing to score the final try in the corner. Jacu had kicked an enormous up and under and following up Vesty nailed the fielding fullback and when the ball came out on the Leicester side Ellis put Johnson away. The jubilant scenes around the ground that greeted this score bear comparison with those following Freddies match winner against Gloucester in December 2000.

Man of the Match this week was an easy decision as Harry Ellis was quite magnificent in all departments. Henry Tuilagi had another stormer keeping the Tigers going forward and Martin Johnson was as usual simply World Class. Clive Woodward is not just losing his Captain Fantastic but also the World's best second row, whoever fills his boots is in for a hard time. My choice would be Richard Hill if there is one English player who can come close to matching Johnson's awesome will to win it is Hill