England international Phil Christophers scored two tries as Leeds caused a Powergen Cup upset to end Bath's hopes of a domestic double.

Christophers struck midway through each half, taking Leeds into their first cup semi-final and an away tie against Sale Sharks in a fortnight's time.

Tykes fly-half Gordon Ross added three penalties and a conversion, leaving Zurich Premiership leaders Bath to reflect on their worst performance of the season.

The only disappointment for Leeds was a poor Headingley crowd of under 4,000, and those who stayed away missed a display bristling with commitment and endeavour.

It was only Bath's fourth defeat this term in all competitions, yet they could have few complaints.

Not even the return of England World Cup centre Mike Tindall could inspire them, and a late Iain Balshaw try, converted by Olly Barkley after he kicked an earlier penalty, proved scant consolation.

Tindall though, played the full 80 minutes, proving his fitness to England boss Sir Clive Woodward ahead of next Saturday's RBS 6 Nations Championship clash against Ireland at Twickenham.

Leeds, way below Bath in the Premiership, made a mockery of league form, and will fancy their chances against the Sharks, with Twickenham beckoning on April 17.

Bath welcomed back Tindall for his first start since suffering a serious ankle injury during the Premiership victory over Saracens two months ago.

Tindall, having been named in Woodward's 26-man squad for the Ireland appointment, was eager to make an immediate impression.

Bath though, lost prop David Flatman through injury - David Barnes deputised - as the Premiership leaders targeted a first cup semi-final appearance since 1996.

Leeds struck the opening blow when Ross landed a 40-metre penalty on seven minutes, but Bath looked more threatening with ball in hand, despite Barkley missing an easy penalty chance to draw them level.

Bath though, were guilty of conceding needless penalties, a fact underlined when flanker Michael Lipman caught Ross late with a trailing arm. It cost the visitors a promising attacking position.

Barkley missed another straightforward penalty chance in the 18th minute, as Bath continued squandering territory.

Leeds fully accepted Bath's generosity, and a raking touchfinder from Ross took them deep into the opposing 22. They did not waste the chance.

Tykes put Bath's defence on the back-foot, and their Argentine wing Diego Albanese created sufficient space for Christophers to outwit his attempted cover-tacklers and claim a quality try.

Ross converted from the touchline, giving Leeds a 10-0 lead after 23 minutes.

Barkley finally found his range in the 33rd minute after referee Roy Maybank penalised Tykes flanker Colm Rigney for tipping Isaac Feaunati out of a lineout, and Tindall got his first real touch a minute later, clearing the ball from inside Bath's 22.

Ross then restored Leeds' 10-point advantage with a 45-metre penalty strike, and Bath had it all to do, trailing 13-3 at the break.

Bath knew they had to make immediate in-roads after finishing the opening period second-best, but they continued making costly handling errors, with Barkley and wing Alex Crockett both proving culprits.

There was no pattern or flow to the game, and Leeds were content just to absorb whatever Bath threw at them.

Bath coach John Connolly made a double substitution on 50 minutes, replacing prop Duncan Bell with young England prospect Matt Stevens and giving Wylie Human a run instead of Scotland wing Simon Danielli.

Bath desperately needed inspiration from somewhere, and fly-half Mike Catt's lengthy touchfinder pinned Leeds in their 22. Typically though, weak back play proved the visitors' undoing, as Tindall dropped a straightforward pass.

Bath had not produced even a glimmer of their Premiership form, and entering the final quarter, they remained 10 points adrift.

Leeds looked to have made the game safe on 64 minutes, with their second try.

A long-range Ross penalty attempt dipped towards Balshaw, but when Bath tried to clear the danger, Tindall saw his clearance charged down and Christophers dived over for his second try.

With seven minutes left, the Leeds defence was finally breached, as Bath claimed a well-worked try for Balshaw that Barkley converted.

The score frayed a few nerve ends in the Leeds camp, but the Tykes knew that they were still more than a converted try ahead.

Bath went for broke during the closing stages, but it was not to be, as Ross completed his penalty hat-trick during injury time and the Tykes were home and dry.

Teams:

Leeds: Cardey, Scarbrough, Christophers, Snyman, Albanese, Ross, Stuart-Smith, Shelley, Regan, Kerr, Hooper, Palmer, Rigney, Hyde, Popham.

Replacements: Dickens for Stuart-Smith (74), Powell for Kerr (58).

Not Used: Murphy, Salter, Davies, Hodge, Holt.

Tries: Christophers 2.

Cons: Ross.

Pens: Ross 3.

Bath: Balshaw, Crockett, Tindall, Barkley, Danielli, Catt, Wood, Barnes, Humphreys, Bell, Borthwick, Grewcock, Beattie, Fea'unati, Lipman.

Replacements: Human for Danielli (50), Mears for Humphreys (59), Stevens for Bell (50).

Not Used: Martens, Malone, Scaysbrook, Fidler.

Tries: Balshaw.

Cons: Barkley.

Pens: Barkley.

Att: 3,740

Ref: Roy Maybank (RFU).