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Bath score late to extend home dominance over Leicester

By PA
PA

Leicester were denied a first Gallagher Premiership success at the Recreation Ground for 10 years after Ben Spencer’s late conversion gave Bath a dramatic 21-20 victory.

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The Tigers’ last league win on Bath soil came in March 2011 but fly-half George Ford’s five penalties and a try by centre Matias Moroni looked to be enough.

Bath wing Will Muir scored his second try two minutes from time, though, and scrum-half Spencer stepped up to land the touchline conversion and thwart Leicester.

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    Muir touched down early in the action and there was also a try for replacement flanker Miles Reid, with Spencer kicking three conversions.

    Leicester had dominant spells based on strong forward foundations, with England prop Ellis Genge shining at the set-piece and in the loose and South African number eight Jasper Wiese hitting hard in attack and defence.

    But they could not put Bath away and the home side showed strong resilience to ultimately edge an intense contest that was highlighted by a man-of-the match performance from home number eight Zach Mercer.

    Bath showed three changes from the side that beat European Challenge Cup quarter-final opponents London Irish eight days ago, with Josh Matavesi featuring at fly-half while Muir and flanker Sam Underhill also started.

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    Leicester boss and former Bath captain Steve Borthwick recalled Ben Youngs, Ellis Genge and Dan Cole, with Ford featuring against his old club as Tigers looked to maintain an impressive run of form.

    Bath Rugby v <a href=Leicester Tigers – Gallagher Premiership – Recreation Ground” />

    Bath made the early running, going through phase after phase in an attempt to knock Leicester out of their stride, but Tigers took a 12th-minute lead through an angled Ford penalty.

    It was against the run of play, yet Leicester continued to grow into the game and Ford kicked a long-range penalty after Bath lost their England centre Jonathan Joseph through injury.

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    But the home side regrouped strongly and they ahead after Joseph’s fellow England international Anthony Watson counter-attacked from inside his own half. Bath kept the momentum going following Watson’s adventure and Muir crossed wide out before Spencer converted from the touchline.

    Bath Rugby v Leicester Tigers - Gallagher Premiership - Recreation Ground

    Leicester were back on the front foot as half-time approached, helped considerably by wing Kini Murimurivalu’s strong running, and Ford put Tigers back in front when he completed his penalty hat-trick.

    Bath pressed for a second try as the opening 40 minutes drew to a close, but they sacrificed a kickable penalty and Leicester preserved a 9-7 interval advantage.

    And the Tigers increased their lead within five minutes of the restart after Bath failed to deal with a spiralling Ford kick. Watson could not get near it and Leicester quickly recycled possession before Murimurivalu delivered a scoring pass to Moroni.

    Bath Rugby v Leicester Tigers - Gallagher Premiership - Recreation Ground

    Ford missed the conversion but Leicester were good value for their lead midway through a third quarter that they dominated in terms of territory, while questions were being asked of Bath around the attacking fringes.

    And when Bath asked defensive questions, Leicester were up to the task by snuffing out danger after Taulupe Faletau, who had earlier received treatment for a shoulder knock, intercepted a Ford pass and found Mercer in support.

    A fourth Ford penalty gave Leicester what appeared to be some breathing space, but Bath hit back 13 minutes from time following concerted pressure that ended with Reid claiming a close-range touchdown.

    Bath Rugby v Leicester Tigers - Gallagher Premiership - Recreation Ground

    Spencer’s conversion brought the home side back to just three points behind, setting up a tense finale.

    Ford kicked a fifth successful penalty, which seemed enough to see Leicester over the finishing line, but Muir and Spencer then struck.

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    JW 2 hours ago
    'I feel for the players': Jamie Joseph's reflection on falling short again

    Some great leadership quality from Big Jim, he facilitated for large parts then put the responsibility on himself at the end drive the team forward in the last desperate minutes. He also filled in for Withy extremely well, adding real strength to the maul.


    The Force have been playing very well this year indeed, and their stars did make a couple of key players, the main factor though is definitely what I reported in the previous article “

    Gotta say I’m really enjoying the Highlanders desperation in the last 10 minutes of games, maybe it’s just because theyre having to throw the kitchen sink at it again. Another massive effort to hold the opposition out just like in the Blues game. I’m sure the coach’s will be wanting a little more composure though as the play seems to far more hap hazard (really just the type of footy I like watching) than the picture they bring at the beggining of games.

    Again though they don’t have the refs to thank for anything, being down a man twenty more minutes than they should have been. Most importantly they were without one of they best attackers (not counting Tangitau’s early change) for the final push, with Nareki’s bin.

    Again, I can see where this team is trying to go, I hope they can get their this year as they certainly have the game to be a top four team if they click. They are munch of misfits when you look at it objectively though, they probably have the worst cohesion score of any SRP team. A few more wins, maybe a come from behind upset may be the best theey can hope to acheive this year.

    “. Like Jim I thought the defence stood up strongly for large parts, but they may just have some structural issues, where it’s just not paying off. They had Lawaqa on the wing all day, allowed the Force to make a dozen linebreaks, why? Both there attack and defence look a bit too fancy for me, why? Common Joseph, the youngest team with the least cohesion/most new guys, it look overly complicated.


    I hope it clicks. Manson in particular looked to be trying far too hard when he came on, what’s been said in his ear? Stick to you lane son and don’t make any mistakes, don’t lose the game for your team. Should be a comfortable win next week against Drua if they keep there heads up and come back stronger. Lasaqa might be best to come off the bench, would keep Jim at 12 but I’d like Tele’a to come back to the side, though TUJ hasn’t been bad and style might suit Drua more. Hopefully Renton or someone with some size is at 8 or 6, Lasaqa appears to be more an 8 actually, similar to Sititi and I wouldn’t mind if he was groomed behind him and Sotutu. Lennox I thought could make a good halfback but isn’t ready, I’d hope Arscott, Fakatava, or Pledger could return to the side. Other than Drua theyve got Cheifs twice, though the home game is the last of the round/season so potentially a gimme if the Chiefs repeat previous years tactics. The Crusaders and Moana at home are also very doable. Those four wins could see them crash into the top 6 still.

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