ON THIS DAY

Tigers History MAY ON THIS DAY 15

2004

Tigers had never even played a game in the opening week of May until 1969 and fixtures during the month remained scarce until the professional era. The team’s first-ever outing on this date was as recently as 2004, coincidentally against today’s visitors who were then playing under the NEC Harlequins branding.

A 12,000 home crowd cheered Tigers to a 43-26 victory in the Zurich Wildcard competition after the team had finished fifth in the table during a turbulent season, which had begun with England’s World Cup victory.

The Wildcard was a play-off event for teams contesting the right to the Premiership’s final place in the following season’s Heineken Cup, with Tigers claiming five tries to set up a final against Sale and the chance to continue the club’s ever-present record in Europe’s top competition.

Jaco van der Westhuyzen scored a try and a drop goal from fly-half in the win over Quins in his final appearance for the club before taking up commitments in Japan and he finished the season as the team’s top tryscorer with 11 in his 18 games.

The Final against Sale two weeks later brought a 48-29 victory in front of a 30,000 Twickenham crowd ahead of the Premiership Final between Wasps and Bath.

Leon Lloyd (2), Neil Back (2), Austin Healey and Daryl Gibson on the scoresheet, and Andy Goode kicking 18 points.

That fixture saw last club appearances for replacements Adam Balding, Steve Booth and World Cup winner Dorian West.

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