Leeds coach Jon Callard made a triumphant return to the Recreation Ground,
exacting revenge for his sacking earlier this year.
The Tykes, who finished bottom of the Zurich Premiership last season in a
shoot-out with Bath, held on for the victory despite conceding three tries to
one.
The Bath fans gave their former coach a rousing welcome when he took his place
on the touchline.
But it was another man with Recreation Ground connections who had the most say
on the field - England hooker Mark Regan led from the front in a typically
committed performance.
The home side, slipping into the bad habits of last season, gave away a
succession of penalties which allowed Leeds centre Braam van Straaten to land
four successful kicks in the first half.
Olly Barkley responded with a 45-metre penalty for Bath and also converted a
try on the half-hour mark when the Lions pulled back Matt Perry grounded a loose
ball from Mike Catt's hanging cross-kick.
Leeds, well organised and clearly alive to most of Bath's attacking ploys
thanks to Callard's inside knowledge, began second half in very much more
purposeful mood.
Van Straaten missed another opportunity from 50 metres but then was given an
absolute sitter a few minutes later for his fifth successful penalty.
Bath meanwhile were looking for inspiration and they found it in another Catt
chip which bounced wickedly to give Barkley at try which he was unable to
convert.
Little had been seen of Leeds as an attacking threat but on 73 minutes rangy
second row Tom Palmer handed off his second row opponent Steve Borchwick in
midfield to cross for a try converted by van Straaten.
It was five minutes into injury time before Simon Danielli scored Bath's third
try but Barkley's conversion from the touch line was wide and the home team had
to be content with one bonus point rather than two for the draw.
They have still not won at home in the league this season while Leeds have
cemented their place in the top three.
Teams
Bath:
Tries: Perry, Barkley, Danielli. Cons: Barkley.
Pens: Barkley.
Bath: Perry, Danielli, Maggs, Tindall, Barkley, Catt, Cooper,
Emms, Humphries, Galasso, Borthwick, Grewcock, G. Thomas, Lyle,
N. Thomas.
Not Used: Blake, Long, Barnes, Crockett, Mallett, Scaysbrook,
Beattie.
Leeds:
Tries: Palmer.
Cons: van Straaten.
Pens: van Straaten 5.
Leeds: Scarborough, Harder,
Davies, van Straaten, Hall, Ross,
Dickens, Shelley, Regan, Kerr, Campbell, Palmer, Mather, Hyde,
Fea'unati.
Not Used: Holt, Rawlinson, P. Murphy, Popham, Hegarty,
Senillosa, Emmerson.
Att: 8,200
Ref: Chris White (RFU).
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