Leicester were forced to dig deep for their win as they kept their four-year
unbeaten home league record intact with victory over Bristol at Welford Road.
The Shoguns turned in a stirring performance - marshalled by Argentina
fly-half Felipe Contepomi who finished the match with 17 points - but were
undone by a 71st-minute try from Tigers winger Steve Booth.
Booth's score ended Bristol's dogged resistance, putting an end to their hopes
of claiming Leicester's prize scalp.
Defeat will be hard for Shoguns coach Dean Ryan to swallow, but ultimately it
was the Tigers' extra class in all departments of the game which proved to be
the difference.
The home side were forced to weather an early storm as Bristol surged forward
from the kick-off but they soon settled and began playing their rugby in the
visitors' half.
However, the Tigers were unable to make their dominance of the opening 10
minutes pay as the Shoguns launched a rare attack, winning a penalty which
Contepomi stroked over.
Full-back Tim Stimpson levelled matters in the 16th minute with a sweetly
struck three-pointer but his side came under intense pressure shortly after
following a towering cross-field bomb from Contepomi.
Four Bristol players chased the kick with skipper Jason Little catching the
ball and driving on before being held up just short of the line.
The visitors continued to batter Leicester's line and after some strong
running from number eight Ben Sturnham, the ball was fed to Contepomi who
slotted over a drop goal.
Leicester were awarded a penalty following a scuffle between Ben Kay and Craig
Short which Stimpson gratefully excepted, although the England international
missed the opportunity to nudge his side ahead moments later when he pushed his
kick wide.
Both teams came out fired up after the interval with some thunderous exchanges
taking place between the two packs.
The usually reliable Stimpson squandered another penalty opportunity before
Contepomi snatched an opportunistic try for Bristol in the 51st minute.
He intercepted a floating pass from Tigers outside half Austin Healey and
sprinted home unchallenged. Full-back Lee Best slotted the conversion while
Contepomi recovered from a minor knock.
Bristol's try seemed to spur the Tigers on and they stepped up a gear,
replying with a Lewis Moody touch-down after some robust forward play.
Stimpson added the two points but Leicester slipped behind once more - with
Contepomi's boot again doing the damage.
But the home side took the lead for the first time in the 71st minute when a
Stimpson penalty was followed up by Booth's blistering solo try which substitute
Andy Goode improved.
Contepomi and Goode went on to exchange penalties but despite a late surge
from Bristol they were unable to score again, allowing the home fans to breath a
sigh of relief.
Teams:
Leicester: Stimpson, Murphy, Lloyd, Kafer, Booth, Healey, J. Hamilton, Rowntree, West, Nebbett, M. Johnson, Kay, Moody,
Back, Balding.
Replacements: Goode for Stimpson (65),
Ellis for J. Hamilton (56), Freshwater for Rowntree (58),
Cockerill for West (53), W. Johnson for Balding (74).
Not Used: Smith, Short.
Tries: Moody, Booth.
Cons: Stimpson, Goode.
Pens: Stimpson 3, Goode.
Bristol: Best, Rees, Christophers, Little, S. Brown, Contepomi,
Pichot, Johnstone, Nelson, White, Sheridan, A. Brown, Short,
Vander, Sturnham.
Replacements: Crompton for White (27).
Not Used: Clark, Brownrigg, Lipman, Blake, Drahm, Carrington.
Tries: Contepomi.
Cons: Best. Pens: Contepomi 3.
Drop Goals: Contepomi.
Att: 15,519
Ref: Tony Spreadbury (RFU).
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