Bath Rugby fell to a last-gasp Billy Searle penalty to lose 22-20 for the first time this season away at last season’s beaten finalists, Leicester Tigers.
Despite scoring three first-half tries thanks to Dan Frost, Sam Underhill and Cameron Redpath, the visitors only went into halftime with a five-point lead as the Tigers scored twice with Olly Cracknell and Tommy Reffell crossing.
Leicester claimed the only try of the second half as Nicky Smith scored four minutes after the break while a late Finn Russell penalty looked to have won the game but for Billy Searle to snatch victory for Leicester after he was caught high by Thomas du Toit
It didn’t take long for Bath’s exciting backline to create a try with Santi Carrears delivering a great chip in behind the Tigers’ defence before collecting the ball and setting up Dan Frost for the opening try.
Leicester hit back instantly after they tore Bath’s scrum apart before Olly Cracknell dotted down from close range.
Bath hit back with two quick tries with Sam Underhill scoring from close range before Cam Redpath finished a great counter-attack move started by Henry Arundell.
Leicester’s scrum once again gave them easy access into the 22 before Tommy Reffell dotted down from the back of a driving maul.
With Bath leading by only five points at the break, the first score was crucial but it didn’t go the way of the visitors with Nicky Smith scoring from close range after the hosts applied some serious pressure.
Both sides made a raft of errors in the final twenty minutes as neither side could build momentum, but when Bath won a rare scrum penalty 10 minutes from time, it looked like Russell had snatched victory for the Champions.
However, a Spencer kick straight into touch with three minutes to go allowed Tigers one more chance in the Bath half and when Thomas du Toit caught Searle high with a tackle, the fly-half stood up and took his chance to seal a last-gasp win for the hosts.
Rugby writer Sam Jess takes a closer look at the individual performances of the Bath players….
15 Santi Carreras – 7
In his first start for Bath, the Argentine full-back was lively with a neat chip in behind the Tigers’ line before picking up the scraps left by Adam Radwan to help Bath score in the opening minutes. The new signing was adding a lot of electricity to the Bath attack and helped his side once again break into the Leicester 22. After a bright opening 40, Carreras struggled to make much impact in the second, which included a poor pass which missed Arundell with the try line in sight.
14 Tom de Glanville – 6
In a rare start on the wing, De Glanville was solid but not at his best as he was caught slightly too narrow in defence on a few occasions.
13 Louie Hennessey – 6
A rare start, Hennessey was more than solid keeping the Tigers centre pairing at bay with some great hits in the midfield.
12 Cameron Redpath – 7
The centre had an industrious game with some tackles and carries in a congested midfield while also running a cracking support line for his try.
11 Henry Arundell – 7
The winger had limited touches but the ones he had were incredible, including setting up Cameron Redpath’s try with an incredible counterattack. The wingers’ kicking game however was poor as it allowed Leicester to build momentum with counters.
10 Finn Russell – 6
Russell was below bar for the most part as he fumbled some easy catches while also missing his first two conversions but when he got it right, Russell was very influential as he kept the ball alive on many occasions, including for Redpath’s try. Well below his best.
9 Ben Spencer – 5
Back alongside Russell, Spencer was not at his best with plenty of poor kicks which kept Leicester in their half and gave his side little to no momentum, this was highlighted in the final few minutes as a clearing kick went straight into touch which gave Tigers one final passage to steal the win.
1 Beno Obano – 5
The prop struggled in the scrum time while also was pinged for a high shot as his side struggled at the start the second half.
2 Dan Frost – 6
Making his first PREM start for Bath, the hooker was on hand to touch down for a very early try. While Frost was abrasive in the loose, he again struggled in the set-piece and let a pass go right pass him after a fine Bath break.
3 Will Stuart – 5
The British and Irish Lion did not make the best of starts as he was torn apart in the scrums, by Nicky Smith, allowing Leicester easy territory, with the prop not at all happy with the decisions against him. A few free kick at the scrum went against him as well.
4 Quinn Roux – 5
The lock added some power around the fringes while also doing a decent job at the lineout on his return from injury.
5 Ross Molony – 6
The lock was a key leader around the park but struggled at the lineout particularly when Dunn was throwing.
6 Ethan Staddon – 8
In a rare start, the flanker was incredible at the breakdown. He made a very bright start with an early breakdown turnover which set the tone for his match as he made another two further jackals to frustrate the hosts while also being a nuisance in his defence.
7 Sam Underhill – 7
The number 7 had a brilliant marauding game and he collected a very easy score picking and going from just a few metres out, and while he was as physical as ever, he was not at his best at the breakdown.
8 Alfie Barbeary – 7
Despite giving an easy 10 meters away for delaying a Leicester penalty, Barbeary had a strong opening half with some brutal carries and collisions and an even better first 20 of the second with some more monster carries. One of his best games, but that silly moment at the start will linger.
Replacements:
16 Tom Dunn – 5
On his 250th, Dunn was great in the loose but the arrows went missing as Bath’s lineout collapsed and Leicester were able to snatch victory while the visitors could never build momentum.
17 Francois van Wyk – 5
The prop helped turn the scrum but it wasn’t enough for victory
18 Thomas du Toit – 4
The prop added power from the bench in the scrum but gave away the penalty, which cost them a win at Welford Road
19 Ewan Richards – 6
The lock added some great energy off the bench but could not turn the game.
20 Miles Reid – 6
Reid didn’t have much time to influence the game but he did sadly knock on a simple catch and pass when Bath looked to build momentum.
21 Tom Carr-Smith – N/A
22 Will Butt – N/A
23 Arthur Green – 5
In a rare PREM appearance for the backrower, Green was not able to show his attacking talents.
