Leaders Leicester tightened their grip on the Zurich Premiership but were made
to battle hard by spirited underdogs Bath at Welford Road.
The Tigers, seeking a hat-trick of Premiership titles, fought back after
conceding a 13-11 interval deficit.
Full-back Tim Stimpson recovered from early goal-kicking woes to boot 17
points, while tries in each half from prop Graham Rowntree and centre Pat Howard
proved crucial.
England full-back Matt Perry landed four penalties and a conversion of
scrum-half Gareth Cooper's 28th-minute touchdown for mid-table Bath - but
Leicester's unbeaten home league record has now stretched to almost three
years.
It meant a happy ending to a miserable week for Tigers' England captain Martin
Johnson, cited by Saracens following two alleged acts of foul play during last
weekend's Tetley's Bitter Cup quarter-final clash.
Bath capitalised on a poor goal-kicking performance from Stimpson to shade an
intense opening period.
Stimpson missed two penalties and a conversion, while opposite number Perry
booted eight points from three successful strikes to threaten Leicester's proud
home record.
Leicester required just seven minutes to put Bath on the back-foot though,
cutting them open in midfield with contemptuous ease.
Flanker Paul Gustard's pass found wing Geordan Murphy in space and before Bath
could regroup Tigers sent Rowntree over, Stimpson hitting the post with his
conversion attempt.
Referee Robin Goodliffe was keen to impose his authority, underlined as he
harshly penalised Bath number eight Dan Lyle for an innocuous challenge on Andy
Goode, but Stimpson sent the resulting goal kick wide.
Leicester were reduced to 14 men midway through the first half when scrum-half
Austin Healey received a yellow card for illegally impeding Bath flanker Gavin
Thomas by pulling his jersey, yet Tigers' forwards responded superbly.
They laid siege to the Bath line and that pressure was rewarded when Stimpson
slotted an easy penalty after visiting prop John Mallett strayed offside.
Bath launched an immediate response though, fly-half Mike Catt sending centre
Kevin Maggs surging clear and supporting scrum-half Gareth Cooper dived across.
Perry converted, bringing Bath back into contention, then the England star
exchanged penalties with Stimpson, making it 11-10 in Tigers' favour.
Bath, nine points below Leicester before kick-off and without an away win
since September 9, gave as good as they got, ending the half with territorial
supremacy.
Catt nudged them close to Leicester's corner flag and when Bath lock Martin
Haag was bumped out of a line-out, Perry's second successful penalty put them in
front.
Stimpson blew a chance to regain the lead for Leicester, sending a 30-metre
penalty shot wide, but Tigers were unleashed following manager Dean Richards'
interval team talk.
Stimpson and Perry cancelled each other out with further penalties but
incessant Leicester pressure was rewarded on 47 minutes when unmarked centre
Howard touched down.
Stimpson's wide-angled conversion gave Leicester breathing space before the
immaculate Perry landed another goal, narrowing Bath's arrears to 24-19.
Rival captains Johnson and Ben Clarke received a general warning as an intense
encounter repeatedly threatened to boil over, and it remained anyone's game
entering the final quarter.
Bath pressed menacingly, Catt proving a major attacking influence, but
Leicester's proud home record inspired defensive heroics and another Stimpson
penalty was just reward for that effort.
At 27-19 adrift Bath had to throw caution to the wind, yet Leicester did not
intend shutting up shop and were let down when Stimpson missed his fourth kick
at goal.
Goode also arrowed a drop-goal attempt wide but the Tigers had done enough,
sending Bath packing and reminding their Premiership rivals that another league
title looks inevitable - more than 14,000 home fans would struggle to disagree.
Teams:
Leicester: Stimpson, Murphy, Lloyd, Howard, Stanley, Goode, Healey, Rowntree, West, Garforth, M. Johnson, Kay, Gustard,Back, W. Johnson.
Not Used: Cockerill, Freshwater, Moody, Jelley, Balding,Hamilton, Gelderbloom.
Tries: Rowntree, Howard.
Cons: Stimpson.
Pens: Stimpson 5.
Bath: Perry, Balshaw, Maggs, Tindall,
Thirlby, Catt, Cooper,
Emms, Regan, Mallett, Haag, Borthwick, G. Thomas, Clarke, Lyle.
Not Used: Preston, Long, Berne, Boyce, Lloyd, N. Thomas, Barnes.
Tries: Cooper.
Cons: Perry.
Pens: Perry 4.
Att: 14,452
Ref: R Goodlisse (RFU).
Zurich man of the match: Neil Back
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