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Leicester snatch win at the death as ex-Bath 10 ends their unbeaten start
By PA
Billy Searle’s penalty with the final kick of the game secured Leicester a dramatic 22-20 victory over Gallagher Prem champions Bath.
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The match at Welford Road was a repeat of last season’s final and it looked as though Bath would be celebrating again after Finn Russell’s penalty nudged them 20-19 ahead in the closing stages.
But the Tigers were given one final chance to avenge their Twickenham loss, with the home supporters letting out a cathartic roar as Searle’s kick sailed between the posts to inflict a first defeat of the campaign on Bath.
Bath almost had the game’s first try in the first minute when Henry Arundell was tackled into touch by Adam Radwan just a few metres from the line.
However, they opened the scoring after three minutes when Radwan allowed Santiago Carreras’ kick to run underneath him, with the latter then hacking on and gathering before offloading to send Dan Frost over.
Russell missed what was not a difficult conversion and Leicester soon led 7-5 after Olly Cracknell forced his way over from close quarters for a score improved by James O’Connor.
Bath then went ahead again after 13 minutes when Sam Underhill caught the Tigers napping by picking up from a ruck five metres out and barging his way over – Russell again sending the conversion wide.
The visitors had their third try in the 25th minute following a searing run by Arundell down the left as the winger left two opponents trailing in his wake.
He then passed inside to Scotland centre Cameron Redpath who dummied Tigers full-back Freddie Steward before sauntering over, with Russell this time converting.
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Leicester had a Hanro Liebenberg try disallowed due to Joe Woodward’s long pass out to the right travelling forward by several metres.
But they reduced the deficit to 17-12 at half-time through an unconverted score by hooker Jamie Blamire, who was given an armchair ride to the line via a driving maul.
The hosts then completed the turnaround four minutes into the second half, and again it came through their forwards as Smith burrowed in after a succession of pick-and-goes, with O’Connor’s conversion putting his side ahead.
Errors then crept in on both sides, with Carreras throwing a wild pass into touch inside the Tigers 22 with two team-mates outside him on the left.
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But a scrum infringement from the Tigers gave Bath the chance to retake the lead in the 72nd minute and Russell’s resulting penalty was immaculately struck.
However, Leicester snatched it at the last after Thomas Du Toit – who was yellow-carded as a result – caught Searle with a high tackle and the replacement Tigers fly-half held his nerve.
