This was a tough and uncompromising game which saw both sides in contention right up to the final whistle. In the dying moments, with the score at 19-16, Bath had one last attack to snatch the game following a break by Shaun Berne, supported by the Bath forwards. 

Within touching distance of the Tigers' try-line the ball flew out of the visitors' grasp as Danny Grewcock was tackled but Jonny Fa'amatuainu couldn't grab it. Winger Matt Smith saw his opportunity and fly-hacked the ball upfield and chased at lung-bursting speed. Try as he might, defensive cover Andy Higgins couldn't get across to smother the attack and Smith managed to touch down for a late and somewhat fortunate try. Within moments Bath went from a position of winning the game with a late try to conceding seven points and losing their bonus point.

Despite the loss it was an exciting game from start to finish. Matt Banahan saved a try at the end of last week's game and he did something similar at the start of this game as he hammered, Bath heartbreaker, Matt Smith before he could off-load to create an overlap for Leicester in the opening minutes and this set the tone for a fast, furious and bruising affair. From the resulting scrum Leicester both lost Julian White to a very early injury and conceded a penalty which saw Shaun Berne grab an early lead for the visitors.

Leicester hit back immediately as they drove their pack over the Bath try line and although they failed to score five points they had secured a penalty on-route and Andy Goode soon evened up the score, 3-3.

Bath retaliated on the next play after Claassens took the ball from a lineout, fed Tom Cheeseman who broke through the defence but was held up short of the Tigers' line. On the next attack Zac Feau'nati drove within a metre of the line only for the home defence to concede a penalty which enabled Shaun Berne to slot home the kick, fifteen metres in from the touchline. Feau'nati appeared to pick up an injury during his attack on the Leicester line. Replacement Daniel Browne was initially sent back to the bench as the Bath skipper tried to soldier on but within a few moments Feau'nati limped off the field.

Leicester failed on their next attack when it seemed they would score. Ollie Smith had his pass to Varndell intercepted which allowed Shaun Berne to clear with a big boot. Nick Abendanon then picked up a knock and was replaced by Jack Cuthbert after 20 minutes. Three injuries after the first quarter demonstrated the intensity of the game. Another penalty in front of the posts after 25 minutes saw Shaun Berne add to his tally to make the score 3-9.

A penalty was awarded to Leicester for Claassens playing too hard with his shoulder ten minutes before half-time when the Bath pack had their opponents on the ropes and Goode duly punished the Bath scrum half to make the score 6-9. Bath almost hit back immediately but Cuthbert was pushed in to touch when the 20 year-old was held up short of the goal line.

Bath then lost three of their line-outs and this placed them under immense pressure but they secured their fourth attempt with a long throw over the top which was cleaned up by Daniel Browne. This was a very risky ploy given this play was in their own twenty-two whilst they were on the back foot however it was Bath who finished the half the stronger with Matt Banahan again challenging as he chased the ball deep in to the Leicester red zone to give them a late scare.

Jack Cuthbert failed to appear for the second half and was replaced by Jonny Fa'amatuainu, with Higgins moving to full back. Within moments Ryan Davis too was injured and was replaced by Nick Walshe. Suddenly Bath found themselves with a forward on the wing and a scrum-half at stand off. Not the ideal scenario at Welford Road!

Andy Goode was odds on to level the score with a penalty after 46 minutes but he sliced the ball past Bath's right hand post, a real let off for the visitors. The injury problems for both teams continued after 48 minutes when Boris Stankovich was knocked senseless and replaced by Jordan Crane which meant the lottery of uncontested scrums.

Following the first uncontested scrum Leicester caught the Bath defence cold as Johne Murphy ran through the tacklers like a hot knife through butter. A Goode conversion saw the home side take the lead for the first time, 13-9. Two minutes later Andy Goode followed up his conversion with a 45 metre drop-goal to make the score 16-9.

Shaun Berne missed his fourth attempt at goal as his penalty kick struck the right hand post after 57 minutes but Bath followed up with an attack which resulted in a five metre scrum. Despite losing the momentum with the set piece being uncontested Bath still managed to attack round the right of the scrum with (replacement) Rob Hawkins crossing for the try. Shaun Berne's conversion levelled the scores 16-16.

Matt Banahan saved another (almost) certain try as he tackled Marco Wentzel in to touch after the Tigers' forward made 45 yards up the wing. Banahan is fast becoming an expert at this defensive cover work. Bath gave away a penalty just inside their half near the touchline and Andy Goode hit the posts after swiping the ball some 55 metres. Banahan was on hand a moment later to sweep up once again and prevent another scoring opportunity.

Referee Rose gave Leicester a simple penalty in front of the Bath posts to take the score to 19-16 with eight minutes to go. Goode had another attempt, this time from 52 metres after Bath lost their discipline, pulling down a maul, but he missed to keep Bath in the match with four minutes left.

Then the excitement of Berne's break and Smith's retaliation closed out the game and the Bath players will have a long drive home thinking about what could have been.

Referee: David Rose

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