Richards delighted after bruising battle
March 16, 2002

Leicester director of rugby Dean Richards admitted his side knew they had been in contest after watching them move one step closer to their fourth consecutive league trophy.

In a high-tempo physical battle the champions beat second-placed Gloucester 27-10 to ensure their four-year unbeaten league record at home remain firmly intact.

"It was very, very intense," said Richards. "There were some massive hits going in but we always knew it was going to be a hard game and a very, very physical game.

"Some of the boys were coming off saying it was one of the most intense games they have played in."

The former Tigers forward added: "I was pleased with the result but I thought we squandered a few scoring opportunities.

"Before the game if we said we were going to come out with a win with this scoreline we'd be quite happy. So we're delighted."

Gloucester's new director of rugby Nigel Melville, who watched the game from the stands, felt his side had lacked sufficient composure to really trouble the league leaders.

"I don't think we showed enough composure, I don't think we kept the ball well enough," said the former Wasps man.

"They kept the ball a lot better than we did, for many more phases. I don't think we achieved enough phases and when we did we were too deep. We played the first half too deep."

He added: "If you want to play you have got to keep the ball and we lost the ball in contact too many times.

"We gave away two cheap tries early on, probably through poor defensive errors more than anything else. You've got to keep the ball and get the phases going if you want to break them down."

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