All of sudden things are looking up for Bath. Back-to-back victories, the latest gutsy but every bit deserved, put them fifth going into the new year and with a spring in their step, even if Sam Underhill’s ankle injury ensures optimism must be tempered.
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He made way midway through the second half with his right ankle heavily strapped, leaving Bath and England sweating – for he was again among the standout performers and any prolonged absence would be keenly felt. The Bath director of rugby, Todd Blackadder, revealed afterwards Underhill had rolled his ankle – “serious enough not to continue but hopefully not too serious” – but considering the openside flanker’s luck with injuries over the past year, Eddie Jones, watching from the stands, will monitor his progress closely with England beginning their Six Nations campaign in February.
Underhill was far from alone in catching the eye for Bath, however. Jamie Roberts, Francois Louw and Will Chudley all emerged in huge credit, the latter for the second week running, to help Bath recover from conceding an early try to score three of their own. Perhaps nothing sums up the upturn in mood better than their decision to kick to the corner when seven points ahead and the clock red. Nothing came of it but the intent was obvious. “[Will] was driving our forwards, getting control,” added Blackadder. “His man-management skills were unbelievable. He’s been outstanding for the last few weeks, he just seems to get us on the front foot all the time.”
For Leicester, who today confirmed the signings of Tom Varndell and Leonardo Sarto, it is another step back. They certainly contributed to a match that was still in the balance in the final stages and take a losing bonus point home but they head into 2019 in ninth place and looking over their shoulders. “The league is so competitive,” said Leicester’s head coach, Geordan Murphy. “A result today would have had you in fourth; the point gets us to ninth. It’s a dogfight. You need to keep scrapping.”
It all started so well for the Tigers – George Ford producing a delightful chip over the top for Jonny May to gather and cruise over unopposed after two minutes. It was fine demonstration of Ford’s vision back at his old stamping ground, where he was subjected to a shout of Judas from the crowd. He said: “That was a bit harsh, wasn’t it? I’d rather be out there in the middle of the field playing than shouting that at someone. It’s a bit embarrassing for them, if you ask me. I loved playing at the Rec in a Bath shirt and I loved playing there in a Leicester one today.” Leicester’s downfall thereafter was of their own making. They failed to gather the restart and spent the next half an hour inside their own 22, faced with wave after wave of Bath pressure.
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Leicester, to their credit, defended manfully, even if they rode their luck when Louw thought he had scored against the base of the post, only for the referee, JP Doyle, after consultation with the TMO, to rule his hurdle over Ellis Genge’s attempted tackle dangerous. It was a harsh call because any use of the arms from Genge was minimal, though Murphy was left to lament a number of decisions that went against his side, too.
Bath were undeterred by Louw’s disallowed try and, as they had been playing with advantage, Freddie Burns put them on the board from in front of the posts. They refused to let up – Leicester could not clear their lines for any length of time – and eventually Bath broke the dam with a trademark line from Roberts, bursting up to meet Chudley’s pass before reaching out to dot down. Burns missed the conversion but Bath were in command at this stage and five minutes later they had their second score.
Burns chased his clever chip ahead and made the tackle, allowing the cavalry to force the turnover. From there Nathan Catt bundled over from close range, though not without an element of fortune – Underhill appearing to knock on just before.
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Bath continued in the same vein after the break – only a desperate tap tackle from Matt Toomua denying Louw but Leicester again held firm, evidence at least that they are improving defensively. A Ford penalty brought them back to within five points but Bath’s next attack yielded the try that ultimately proved decisive.
Burns passed to Max Wright on the Leicester 22 and he in turn found Ruaridh McConnochie outside him. The wing slipped by Genge with ease and raced over and, though Burns struck the post with his attempted conversion, Bath led by 10. Ford trimmed the gap again, Rhys Priestland pushed it out to 10 once more before a penalty for the Leicester fly-half ensured a nervous finish to an absorbing contest, if not as high on quality compared with years gone by.