Leicester Tigers 24 Newcastle Falcons 13: match report Wells and former England defence coach Mike Ford, who has also been recruited by Gold, have their work cut out. Newcastle are nine points adrift of Wasps and a squad that lacks obvious star quality has been depleted by injuries. Having trounced Sale last week, Newcastle might have hoped for another cup run â€" they were runners-up last season â€" to divert attention from their league struggles. But Leicester were in no mood to do Wells, who captained and coached them during a distinguished career at Welford Road, any favours. An early exit from the Heineken Cup and a slow start in the Premiership while most of their frontline players were at the World Cup has increased the importance of this competition for Leicester. Leicester's win, which took them through to the semi-finals, was comfortable enough but it was a scrappy and low quality affair, partly excused by the numbing cold and second half blizzard.. Thomas Waldrom, fresh from a try-scoring debut for England Saxons against Ireland Wolfhound s and training with England's senior squad, got more excited than the crowd about his seventh minute try. There was little else for a deep-frozen crowd to enthuse about in a dire first half dominated by the kicking of Jeremy Staunton and Jimmy Gopperth, who has ended speculation about his future by signing a new three-year contract with the Premiership strugglers. Things perked up slightly after the break when George Skivington drove over from close range and Gopperth responded with a well-taken try after a sniping run by Will Chudley. Match details Scoring sequence. 5-0 Waldrom try; 7-0 Staunton con; 10-0 Staunton pen; 13-0 Staunton pen; 13-3 Gopperth pen; 16-3 Staunton pen; 16-6 Gopperth pen; 19-6 Staunton pen; 24-6 Skivington try; 24-11 Gopperth try; 24-13 Gopperth con Leicester: N Morris; H Agulla, M Smith, A Allen (A Forsyth 72), S Hamilton; J Staunton (T Flood 54), S Harrison (J Grindal 28-35 and 72)); M Ayerza,G Chuter (R Hawkins 57), J White (L Mulipola 59), G Skivington, G Kitchener, S Mafi, (J Salvi 64) B Woods (captain), T Waldrom (C Newby 59). Newcastle: G Goosen; R Shortland, C Uys (J Hodgson 29) (J Helleur 62), J Fitzpatrick (Helleur 28-40)), S Hufanga; J Gopperth (captain), C Pilgrim (W Chudley 57); J Golding (A Wells 40), R Vickers (R Vickers 69), J Hall (D Fearn 64), A Fondse (R Boyle 69), T Swinson, A Hogg, R Mayhew (T Tu'ifuna 50), M Wilson. Referee: Mr D Rose (Plymouth) Attendance: 19,767