Four first-half tries helped Leicester to a 13-point win over traditional rivals Bath in the New Year’s Eve clash at Welford Road.
The under-strength visitors had a dream start when Louis Schreuder intercepted a Handre Pollard pass and ran over half the field to put them in front.
From this point onwards, Bath and Pollard’s fortunes went in opposite directions, as the Leicester number 1src was perfect from five conversions and the away team didn’t score another try until the 74th minute.
The chief source of Bath’s woes was giving away penalties and then not being able to thwart the Tigers’ drives from line-outs and quick rucks.
Matt Rogerson and James Cronin both dove over from close range, and in between Mike Brown gleefully ran untouched a few metres down the wing for the second.
Gerrit van Velze being given a yellow card was a precursor to Cronin’s try, and shortly afterwards George Martin also powered over the line taking three defenders with him.
A penalty on the stroke of half-time shortened the lead and allowed Bath to plot a comeback in the second half.
However, after a couple of questionable calls, the Tigers were awarded a penalty try four minutes in with Jaco Coetzee also being given a yellow card, effectively ending the contest.
Second-gamer Louie Hennessey scored a consolation try after a good run and offload from Max Ojomoh and Ewan Richards dove over after the 8src minute mark to put a kind reflection on the scoreline for Bath.
Talking Point – Were Bath right to play a second-string XV
Only Ojomoh, Gallagher and GJ van Velze started
…. to be continued
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