4 hours ago
2
The Prem
Leicester (12) 22
Tries: Cracknell, Reffell, Smith Cons: O'Connor 2 Pen: Searle
Bath (17) 20
Tries: Frost, Underhill, Redpath Cons: Russell Pen: Russell
Leicester Tigers gained revenge for their defeat in last year's Premiership final, with a hard-fought last-minute win over old rivals Bath at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
In a frantic opening quarter, Dan Frost and Olly Cracknell exchanged tries before Sam Underhill and Cam Redpath gave Bath a comfortable cushion.
But the Tigers struck back through efforts from Tommy Reffell and Nicky Smith either side of half-time as Bath appeared desperate while conceding a flurry of penalties.
Russell gave Bath a narrow advantage with eight minutes to go, before Billy Searle kicked a penalty to claim the win with the clock in the red after the visitors had been reduced to 14 men.
In the clubs' first meeting since Bath won a closely fought Twickenham showpiece in June, it was the away side who struck first.
Santi Carreras, in his first Bath start, kicked forward in midfield for his team-mates to chase. The ball was spilled by Adam Radwan, allowing the Argentina international to kick ahead once more.
Henry Arundell was first on the ball before off-loading to Frost to score a try on what was also his first start in the blue, black and white.
But that lead was not to last for long.
Bath were penalised in the scrum, giving Tigers a tap and go from the five-metre line.
Following a couple of repelled thrusts, it was Cracknell who forced his way over the line, before James O'Connor added the extras.
Stung, Bath responded in kind.
Following another break from Carreras that drove deep into Tigers territory, the visitors recycled allowing Underhill to pirouette his way over the try line despite the despairing tackle of O'Connor.
Bath then extended their lead further through Redpath, the centre benefitting from the searing pace of Arundell down the touchline.
With Freddie Steward coming across, the Scot produced a perfectly timed dummy to go over untouched.
With the game ebbing and flowing it was no surprise when Leicester responded.
They thought they had converted a counter-attack of their own, Hanro Liebenberg diving over in the corner, only for the try to be ruled out for a forward pass, but it proved to be only a temporary setback.
With Bath struggling horribly in the scrum, Leicester kicked for the corner and the resulting rolling maul proved unstoppable, with Reffell ultimately emerging with the ball.
Leicester kept up the pressure and drew level just after the break, with Smith forcing his way over after an extended period of Tigers pressure as Bath found themselves on the wrong end of referee Adam Leal's whistle.
A midfield stalemate then developed in which neither side were able to pierce the other's 22.
With the game desperately in need of a spark of inspiration, Bath finally managed to wrestle their way back in front.
Leicester were penalised at the scrum, allowing Russell to take full advantage from the tee to put the visitors one point ahead.
As time elapsed, Bath mounted a determined goal-line stand before Thomas du Toit was yellow carded for a high tackle on Searle.
The replacement fly-half duly recovered himself to slot the crucial penalty to end Bath's perfect start to the season.
The result leaves Bath in second place, while Leicester move up to fifth.
Leicester Tigers: Steward; Radwan, Kata, Woodward, Hassell-Collins; O'Connor, Whiteley; Smith, Blamire, Heyes, Henderson, Chessum, Liebenberg, Reffell, Cracknell.
Replacements: Clare, Loman, Hurd, Wells, Ilione, Allan, Searle, Wand.
Bath: Carreras; De Glanville, Hennessey, Redpath, Arundell; Russell, Spencer (c); Obano, Frost, Stuart, Roux, Molony, Staddon, Underhill, Barbeary.
Replacements: Dunn, Van Wyk, Du Toit, Richards, Reid, Carr-Smith, Butt, Green.
Sin-bin: Du Toit (81).
Referee: Adam Leal.
