With Tigers keen to avenge the defeat inflicted by Bath at the same stage of the competition in 2006, Lions’ selectors to impress and a recent resurgence of the Midlands club that has seen them top the Guinness Premiership with an expansive style full of verve and guile, the scene was set for an a game of epic proportions.

As is often the case with such a grand billing, the reality never quite lives up to the hype. Though it was an entertaining spectacle for the partisan crowd that filled the Walkers Stadium, strong defences, handling errors and constant infringing ultimately prevented the game hitting full stride.  Instead it built steadily towards a triumphant crescendo for the Tigers in the 80^th minute when their roguish French scrum half, Julien Dupuy, managed to deceive the onrushing Bath defence, who were expecting a drop goal attempt, and scamper under the posts for the winning score.

The post-match confirmation that Dupuy would be staying at the club next season, in response to reports surfacing in the French press that he was looking to move back to his home country, will be welcomed by Tigers fans just as warmly as the announcement by chairman, Peter Tom, that Richard Cockerill’s position as Head Coach has been made permanent. Strong words indeed, but deserved recognition for the influential contribution of the unfashionable scrum half not only in this match but throughout his first season at the club.

Bath will understandably feel disappointed that they were never able to convert their slight territorial superiority throughout the game into winning points.  As the game started under murky skies, it was perhaps ominous for the West Country club that their enigmatic fly half, Butch James, kicked straight into touch. James has so often lit up games with his bleached locks and visionary play, but both were missing on a day when an undyed, conservative crew cut matched the South African’s reluctance to kick for goal or oversee Bath’s usually fluid back play.

James’ error from the off preceded a first quarter full of handling errors and turnovers as the two packs tried to assert an early dominance.  Tigers’ young back-row showed some early reminders of their strong recent form with flanker, Ben Woods, a nuisance as ever and the tyro number eight, Ben Pienaar, obviously relishing his Heineken Cup debut with some explosive carries.  At scrum-time the contest was little messy but it was perhaps Bath who just had the edge, the absence of Julian White undoubtedly a factor. It was from a collapsed scrum that Bath won their first kickable penalty, though James was unable to convert as he scuffed his kick low and to the left.

Tigers began to impose themselves as the game approached the 20 minute mark.  Danny Hipkiss will have impressed the on looking Ian McGeechan in a fine overall performance in which he combined his trademark strong running with some excellently timed offloads. It was good work from Geordan Murphy and Alesana Tuilagi that gave Tigers two penalties in quick succession. Sam Vesty, who had moved to fly half as a result of a late injury to Toby Flood, converted both to give Tigers a 6-0 lead mid-way through the first half. Vesty’s reliable goal-kicking would prove to be crucial on a day when his instinctive attacking prowess, so pivotal in the team’s recent revival, for once took a backseat.

In contrast, James’ wayward kicking continued, forcing him to turn down a kickable penalty and opting instead to go for touch. On this occasion his reluctance proved to be to Bath's gain. The ball was whisked off the top of the ensuing lineout and fed quickly to the classy Shontayne Hape who accelerated through Vesty's clutches, dummied past Murphy and casually slipped a pass to Shaun Berne who ran in under the posts. It was a rare piece of slick back play, which Bath always looked more likely to conjure, though it did precipitate a frantic end to the half as Tigers launched a series of attacks of their own. The Bath defence was able to hold firm until Alan Lewis called for half-time and the 7-6 lead they took into the break was a fair reflection of the game.

This lead was quickly extended in the second half as good work on the floor from their impressive captain, Michael Lipman, gave James an easy kick at goal. As fatigue and substitutions affected the early rhythms and structures of each team, so the game began to open out. Tigers began to gain some dominance up front with Jordan Crane, who had replaced Pienaar early in the half, providing gain line-breaking stomp and the likes of Marcos Ayerza and Woods seemingly everywhere at once. Dupuy’s introduction in place of Harry Ellis, who was more abrasive than he was creative, was also making a noticeable difference. His sharp passing and quick thinking helped to push Tigers into the Bath half and two more penalties, kicked by Vesty, left the score at 12-10 and the match tentatively poised as it entered the final quarter.

Bath's second try, and what proved to be their final score, resulted from a careless drop out by Murphy which was charged down and pounced on by Lipman. The ball was quickly moved left and, following two powerful surges towards the posts from Lee Mears and Matt Banahan, Bath shipped the ball to the right where Berne’s quick hands put Kiwi, Joe Maddock, into space to beat Ben Kay and touch down in the corner. Leicester responded with a penalty almost immediately as George Chuter turned Bath’s James Scaysbrook in the tackle encouraging their forwards to go off their feet to try and secure the ball. Vesty duly converted the resulting penalty leaving the game level at fifteen points apiece to ensure a nail biting last ten minutes.

Bath went through a number of phases in the Leicester half but were unable to get into a position for a drop goal. A superb turnover by Crane gave Leicester possession and soon after he almost found himself in the clear on the left hand side only to be caught by the Bath defence. The game’s dramatic denouement came after more forward grunt left Leicester in front of the Bath posts with a drop goal appearing to be only the option. Dupuy turned as if to pass to the awaiting Murphy, but then spun around to find himself in the clear to sprint toward the Bath line, side stepping past Andrew Higgins before scoring under the posts.

In a tight encounter, that was certainly not lacking in entertainment value, it was Leicester’s hard graft, exemplified by the likes of Ayerza and Woods, along with the steady boot of Vesty that prevailed. Cardiff Blues at the Millennium Stadium await in the semi finals and, on the basis of this performance, the return of the likes of Aaron Mauger, Toby Flood, Lewis Moody et al could be very timely indeed.

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