Tigers had a long spell in the Bath half, but were unable to come away with any points.
There seemed to be a bit of a misunderstanding about what constitutes a straight line - Tigers line out 1 degree off straight = scrum to Bath, 2 successive Bath scrums with the ball put in the back row = no sanction. Ah well.
(Maybe it's the Large Vole cup?)
Bath opened the scoring with a Ryan Davies penalty - Tigers 0 Bath 3.
Not been the most scintillating game ever - some of the ladies were passing the time by comparing the players legs!
Tigers forced their way back into the Bath half, however a knock on enabled Bath to clear their lines. Bath then missed a penalty. Score Tigers 0 Bath 3, with one of our esteemed message board posters saying that Tigers were lucky to get 0!
A penalty to Tigers enabled Vesty to level the scores at Tigers 3 Bath 3. Thanks to the chap who shouted "come on Bath" as Vesty kicked - obviously it helped!!
Tigers then won a scrum against the head - clearly that's why Bath don't but the ball in straight - they lose the scrum!
(London Victuallers cup?)
Some good work from Tigers lead to a try for Billy "36" Twelvetrees, conversion miss - hit the upright. You don't see that happen often.
Score at half time - Tigers 8 Bath 3
Entertainment at half time was, errrr, somewhat satirical - You're 16 followed by Sweet Little 16. Full marks to Doctor Soul!
An early second half penalty for Bath kicked by Davies took the score to Tigers 8 Bath 6.
A high tackle on a Tigers player near the Bath try-line gave Tigers a penalty - opting for a scrum, Tigers went for the pushover, only for everything to end up in a bit of a mess. "not champagne rugby, more like Asti Spumante" was the analysis from Tiggs!
Another penalty a few minutes later, another scrum was the option, which, several re-sets later, saw the referee under the posts - penalty try. Conversion from Vesty - Tigers 15 Bath 6.
Tigers were then pinged again for a not straight lineout - the lineout wasn't functioning very well at all.
(Lively Vino cup maybe?)
Tigers had plenty of possession & territory, but nothing to show for it, until 36 crossed the line for his second try of the evening. Vesty conversion - Tigers 22 Bath 6.
Bath his straight back with a try by Faammatuainu (crazy name, crazy guy?!). No conversion missed - Tigers 22 Bath 11.
Next came the "Shakespearean" portion of the match - a comedy of errors! No one really seemed to know what was going on, ball flying everywhere, neither team seeming to get ball in hand and do anything with it. Just when it looked like the game would end in farce, Tuilagi came out of nowhere to run the length of the pitch and score a try. Sam tried a quick drop-goal conversion, only for the ball to rebound off the upright. You don't see that happen often.
Final score - Tigers 27 Bath 11.
Gaz's man of the match - Billy Twelvetrees, with an honourable mention for Sam Vesty, who managed the incredible feat of hitting 3 out of 4 uprights.
As to what this means for qualification for the semi-finals, your guess is as good as mine!!!
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