Cockerill hails spirit as Tigers snatch draw
The Tigers had already been decimated by injury when the loss of four key players before kick-off forced Cockerill into a backline reshuffle.
Harry Ellis, Matt Smith and Aaron Mauger failed fitness tests and Dan Hipkiss was ruled out with a virus after failing to come through the warm-up. The Tigers were left with just one back on the bench and flanker Craig Newby played the whole second half at inside centre in place of the injured Anthony Allen.
The Ospreys surged into a 26-8 lead shortly before half-time with tries from Shane Williams and Tommy Bowe and a perfect kicking display from Dan Biggar, who ended up with 22 points.
But man of the match Billy Twelvetrees inspired the Tigers comeback, adding to Johne Murphy’s early try with a score just before half-time. Argentinian winger Lucas Amorosino and Ireland’s Jeremy Staunton earned Leicester the four-try bonus point and Twelvetrees sealed the draw with a late conversion.
Cockerill said: “We had players unavailable and pulling out at the last minute. The attitude to just go out and play and not give up is what this side is about. The players have to take credit. The spirit of the players today was fantastic.
“We pride ourselves on having people who want to play for us and not for the money. You can buy a team but you can’t buy spirit. The club demands the boys play and work hard. We don’t have people here who don’t put in the work.”
Twelvetrees was promoted into the side after Hipkiss was ruled out and shone on his full debut for the Tigers.
“He did some good things in pre-season after being on loan at Bedford but everyone has to earn the right to play in the side – he got in by luck today and took his chance,” said Cockerill.
“He missed a few kicks and tackles but held his nerve at the end to kick the conversion.”
The Tigers were forced to throw caution to the wind and ended up scoring more tries in 80 minutes than in their five Guinness Premiership games so far. Leicester have not lost at home in over a year and the Ospreys left Welford Road kicking themselves after wasting a golden opportunity.
“Our discipline at times was shocking,” said Williams. And Ospreys boss Scott Johnson added: “If you had offered us two points prior to coming here we’d have taken it but we are totally disappointed.
“We controlled the scoreboard for large parts of the game but it came down to the fact we couldn’t get quality ball to play off often enough. Without quick ball you can’t play football.”
The Ospreys had stormed ahead with tries from Shane Williams and Tommy Bowe – plus a faultless kicking performance from teenage fly-half Dan Biggar, who finished with 22 points.
Leicester have not lost at Welford Road in more than a year, and the Ospreys will be kicking themselves at letting such a golden opportunity slip through their fingers.
A Biggar penalty opened the Ospreys a 26-8 lead – before the Tigers found their claws again and staged a spirited comeback, with Allen again playing a key role.
The former Gloucester centre managed to squeeze a pass outside for Twelvetrees, who crashed over in the corner and then dusted himself down to assume the kicking duties from Staunton and land the conversion.
Biggar’s seventh consecutive place-kick extended the Ospreys’ lead to 29-15.
But the Tigers responded by throwing caution to the wind and worked an excellent third try for Amorosino.
From a Tigers scrum near half-way, James Grindal attacked the blind-side – and Hamilton slipped the scoring pass for the Argentinian winger to tee up a dramatic finale.
Biggar eased the pressure for the Ospreys with another penalty, but Twelvetrees responded for the Tigers and then sparked the vital attack with five minutes remaining.
Staunton’s run took him within two metres of the line. It appeared he had wasted the chance when he failed to pop the pass to Murphy on his outside, but he drove on for the line – and Twelvetrees kicked the conversion to earn a dramatic draw.
Leicester scorers – Tries: J. Murphy, Twelvetrees, Amorosino, Staunton. Cons: Twelvetrees 3. Pens: Staunton, Twelvetrees.
Ospreys – Tries: Williams, Bowe. Cons: Biggar 2. Pens: Biggar 5. DG: Biggar.
LEICESTER: S Hamilton, J. Murphy, A Allen, B Twelvetrees, L Amorosino, J Staunton, J Grindal, M Ayerza, G Chuter, J White, L Deacon, B Kay, T Croft, L Moody, J Crane.
Replacements: C Newby for Allen (40), B Youngs for Grindal (66), B Stankovich for Ayerza (78), M Castrogiovanni for White (47), G Parling for Kay (52).
OSPREYS: L Byrne, N Walker, T Bowe, J Hook, S Williams, D Biggar, M Phillips; James, H Bennett, Griffiths, AW Jones, J Thomas, J Collins, M Holah, R. Jones.
Replacements: J Bishop for Byrne (51); R Hibbard for Bennett (61); I Gough for Thomas (61); F Tiatia for Collins (54).
Attendance: 20,029
Referee: A Rolland (Ireland).
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