Tigers scrape past Bath
By Mike Hill
October 6 2002
Tigers recorded their 50th consecutive Premiership home win against the old enemy Bath in a niggly and ultimately close encounter. The final score of 22 - 20 doesn't reflect the dominance Leicester enjoyed for much of the second half as Bath made a late comeback.
By Mike Hill
October 6 2002
Tigers recorded their 50th consecutive Premiership home win against the old enemy Bath in a niggly and ultimately close encounter. The final score of 22 - 20 doesn't reflect the dominance Leicester enjoyed for much of the second half as Bath made a late comeback.
Bath competed well in the first half and led 6 -5 going into the break courtesy of two Olly Barkley penalty goals against a try by Martin Corry. Corry's try followed a high crossfield kick from Austin which dropped just short of the goal line with Back tapping the ball back for Corry to dive over.
Stimpson was uncharacteristically off form with the boot and missed the conversion along with two penalties. Faced with a much more difficult kick inside his own half Tim of course whacked it straight down the middle - he is the only kicker I have known whose chances of scoring increases proportional to the difficulty.
With Healey kicking more (and quite well in my opinion) and playing for territory Tigers more conservative game plan paid off as forward pressure led to two tries from driving mauls as first Dorian West and then none other than NB scored. At this point Bath were down to 14 men with Catt sinbinned for a swinging arm on Corry. Tigers took full advantage and looked a good bet for another bonus point at home. Then Catt returned and Kevin Maggs powerful running led to two late tries to the visitors.
22 - 6 and cruising soon became 22 - 20 and serious concern at the prospect of defeat. Thankfully Tigers held out but the side looked distraught at the final whistle to have almost thrown it away. This may turn out to be a blessing in disguise, the thrashing of Newcastle flattered us, this result will keep the lads focused on Neath and the defence of their crown.
The expected news that Josh is off to Wasps will only reinforce the view that something is awry in the Champions camp. I personally wish him well at Wasps, it has been torture to watch such a good player struggling to settle in to the team and find anything resembling form.
It was always going to be an impossible task to edge out Leicester legend Neil Back and with Lewis Moody in exceptional form Josh was often consigned to the bench. He looked faintly embarrassed at the European Cup final to be awarded a medal having played so little. It whiffed of overkill at the time to sign another open side when other areas of the side were more in need of strengthening.
My choice of Man of the Match this week is Martin Corry for his all round dynamism and tremendous tackling, he is truly back to his best after a post Lions slump last season. Neil Back was a close second and I thought Austin was much improved. Even though a few of his early kicks were wayward he controlled the game much better.
So it's on to Wales on Friday and a chance to record our first win there in ages. If ever there was a good time to turn the season around it is this game. To win at the Gnoll given our current form would be amazing but this team has been written off before so here's hoping the guys come good once again.
Stimpson was uncharacteristically off form with the boot and missed the conversion along with two penalties. Faced with a much more difficult kick inside his own half Tim of course whacked it straight down the middle - he is the only kicker I have known whose chances of scoring increases proportional to the difficulty.
With Healey kicking more (and quite well in my opinion) and playing for territory Tigers more conservative game plan paid off as forward pressure led to two tries from driving mauls as first Dorian West and then none other than NB scored. At this point Bath were down to 14 men with Catt sinbinned for a swinging arm on Corry. Tigers took full advantage and looked a good bet for another bonus point at home. Then Catt returned and Kevin Maggs powerful running led to two late tries to the visitors.
22 - 6 and cruising soon became 22 - 20 and serious concern at the prospect of defeat. Thankfully Tigers held out but the side looked distraught at the final whistle to have almost thrown it away. This may turn out to be a blessing in disguise, the thrashing of Newcastle flattered us, this result will keep the lads focused on Neath and the defence of their crown.
The expected news that Josh is off to Wasps will only reinforce the view that something is awry in the Champions camp. I personally wish him well at Wasps, it has been torture to watch such a good player struggling to settle in to the team and find anything resembling form.
It was always going to be an impossible task to edge out Leicester legend Neil Back and with Lewis Moody in exceptional form Josh was often consigned to the bench. He looked faintly embarrassed at the European Cup final to be awarded a medal having played so little. It whiffed of overkill at the time to sign another open side when other areas of the side were more in need of strengthening.
My choice of Man of the Match this week is Martin Corry for his all round dynamism and tremendous tackling, he is truly back to his best after a post Lions slump last season. Neil Back was a close second and I thought Austin was much improved. Even though a few of his early kicks were wayward he controlled the game much better.
So it's on to Wales on Friday and a chance to record our first win there in ages. If ever there was a good time to turn the season around it is this game. To win at the Gnoll given our current form would be amazing but this team has been written off before so here's hoping the guys come good once again.
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