Super-subs Martin Johnson and Neil Back masterminded a Leicester late show as
Tigers tightened their grip on the Zurich Premiership.
The pair, Six Nations heroes for England in Cardiff three days ago, helped
stave off a determined Bristol outfit.
Tigers boss Dean Richards sent them both on towards the end of a third quarter
when three Tim Stimpson penalties had virtually wiped out Bristol's 10-0
interval lead.
And there was no stopping leaders Leicester - now nine points clear of
second-placed Bath - after that, with Stimpson booting another penalty before
wing Winston Stanley scored a match-clinching 65th-minute try.
Leicester's England stars were handed varying work commitments as Tigers set
about protecting a 36-match unbeaten home league record.
Johnson and Back - colossal figures during the record 44-15 victory over Wales
- were on bench duty, but Austin Healey and Dorian West enjoyed complete rests.
England back-row reserve Martin Corry skippered the home side in Johnson's
absence, celebrating his 100th Tigers appearance on a fitting note.
Argentinian star Agustin Pichot led a Bristol outfit seeking their first-ever
league success at Welford Road following nine failures, stretching back more
than 13 years.
Leicester suffered their last league defeat when they visited Bristol more
than four months ago, and set about revenge by establishing early territorial
supremacy.
But a gluepot pitch thwarted Tigers' attacking ambitions, and Bristol relished
the muddy close-quarter combat as both packs battled for supremacy.
Fly-half Felipe Contepomi, Pichot's fellow Puma, booted the visitors in front
through a 15th-minute penalty, but then missed from 20 metres when handed an
opportunity to double that lead.
He rapidly made amends though, capitalising on a cross-field kick by gathering
the loose ball when it bobbled free, courtesy of wing Luke Nabaro's tackle on
Fereti Tuilagi.
Contepomi also slotted the conversion, giving Bristol an impressive advantage
and leaving Richards with plenty to ponder at half-time, despite Stimpson
rifling over a 40-metre penalty that belatedly opened his team's account.
Richards sent on midfield catalyst Pat Howard for the second period, hoping
that he could inject life into a back division devoid of spark or invention.
Stimpson's second successful penalty suggested a power-shift, and that impetus
continued through another strike which set alarm bells ringing in the Bristol
camp.
Johnson made his entrance on 53 minutes, replacing Louis Deacon amid a huge
roar from the Welford Road faithful, and Back quickly followed suit.
Pichot gifted Stimpson a fourth penalty chance, hacking the ball clear from an
offside position, and Tigers' renowned matchwinner made no mistake.
Leicester had waited an hour to take control - both on the pitch and
scoreboard - but their patience and perseverance paid off.
Canadian international Stanley continued the revival by rounding off a
sweeping move that belied appalling conditions, sending Bristol home the same
way as so many other Welford Road visitors - beaten.
Teams:
Leicester: Stimpson, Tuilagi, Smith,
Gelderbloom, Stanley,Goode, Hamilton, Rowntree, Cockerill, Nebbett, Deacon, Kay,
W. Johnson, Moody, Corry.
Replacements: Howard for Gelderbloom (40),
M. Johnson for Deacon (52), Back for Moody (55).
Not Used: Murphy, Jelley, Freshwater, O'Reilly.
Tries: Stanley.
Pens: Stimpson 4.
Bristol: Best, Nabaro, Simone,
Mayer, S. Brown, Contepomi,
Pichot, Johnstone, McCarthy, Crompton, Archer, A. Brown,
C. Short, Vander, Salter.
Replacements: Williams for McCarthy (64),
Fullman for Crompton (67), Sheridan for A. Brown (59), Sturnham for Salter (75).
Not Used: Baber, Reeves, Marsden.
Tries: Contepomi.
Cons: Contepomi.
Pens: Contepomi.
Att: 8,124
Ref: Brian Campsall (RFU).
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