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Bath ended their 29-year wait for the English title with a narrow win over a Leicester Tigers side that pushed them to the final whistle.
Toit (26'), Ojomoh (49')
Tries
Poortvliet (5'), Kata (67'), Ilione (75')
Russell (27', 50')
Conversions
Pollard (5', 68', 76')
Russell (9', 41', 70')
Penalties
Bath ended their 29-year wait for the English title with a narrow win over a Leicester Tigers side that pushed them to the final whistle.
Johann van Graan’s have been the class act in the Gallagher Premiership this season.
They had already won the EPCR Challenge Cup and Premiership Cup, but the title was the one they really wanted and in truth the one they needed after they lost to Northampton Saints in last year’s final.
Leicester were never going to roll over, especially with coach Michael Cheika leaving, club legends Ben Youngs and Dan Cole retiring, and world class acts Julian Montoya and Handre Pollard moving on.
Leicester’s Jack van Poortvliet and Bath’s Thomas du Toit scored first half tries. Max Ojomoh crossed for Bath in the second, before Solomone Kata and Emeka Ilione added a second and third try as Leicester rallied late on.
The difference came with the boot. Bath’s Finn Russell added two conversions and two penalties, while Handre Pollard knocked over three penalties for Leicester. What might it have been if Pollard hadn’t missed a penalty early in the second half?
For Bath’s Ojomoh and Tom de Glanville victory means they can compare winners medals with their dads Steve and Phil, who were part of the 1996 champions.
While Bath captain Ben Spencer, celebrated his fifth title having won four with Saracens.
EARLY MARKER
Leicester didn’t take long to lay down an early marker. Pollard sent a penalty to the corner flag, the pack rumbled and after Montoya was stopped short, van Poortvliet sniped over.
Tigers’ line speed was stopping Bath’s flow, and the league winners didn’t help themselves with seven handling errors in the first 20 minutes.
Eventually Bath went direct, rather than wide into Leicester’s defenders, and Thomas du Toit crashed through after a strong carry from Beno Obano.
A penny for Obano’s thoughts a few minutes later when Montoya was spared a red card after a careless high tackle on Ted Hill, which wasn’t too dissimilar for his offence in last year’s final which warranted a straight red.
STRETCHING THEIR LEAD
The Bath errors continued but two Russell penalties meant they went in at halftime with a six-point cushion.
Pollard had the chance to close the gap with a penalty early in the half but sent it wide. Joe Cokanasiga then knocked on with a gap beckoning.
Kicking became the order of the day for a while, then when Leicester tried to move the ball wide, Russell popped up to pick Pollard’s pocket, race away and give Ojomoh a simple finish.
Bath had the momentum, but unlike their semifinal against Bristol Bears it was a slow change.
Miles Reid led the pack well, Guy Pepper was his usual bothersome self, and Ted Hill charged down Steward’s kick on his line to keep the pressure on.
LATE DRAMA
Pepper had a try chalked off for a Will Muir knock on in the build-up, and when Tigers finally got into Bath’s 22, Kata rumbled over after multiple attempts on the Bath line.
It may have closed the gap to six points, but as the clock ticked past the 70 minute mark, it was back up to nine. Cole was adjudged to have hit Russell late, and after the prop headed to the sin-bin, Russell nudged his side further ahead.
Tigers came again and Ilione ensured Bath had no procession to the trophy.
Leicester needed to get back into the Bath half, but after they secured the ball in their half with a minute to opted to kick.
Bath gathered, and with a minute remaining they weren’t going to do anything with possession other than run down the clock which they duly did to set off the celebrations.
Bath Rugby Starting XV (1-15) Beno Obano, Tom Dunn, Thomas du Toit, Quinn Roux, Charlie Ewels, Ted Hill, Guy Pepper, Miles Reid, Ben Spencer, Finn Russell, Will Muir, Cameron Redpath, Max Ojomoh, Joe Cokanasiga, Tom de Glanville
Bath Rugby Replacements (16-23) Niall Annett, Francois van Wyk, Will Stuart, Ross Molony, Josh Bayliss, Tom Carr-Smith, Ciaran Donoghue, Alfie Barbeary
Leicester Tigers Starting XV (1-15) Nicky Smith, Julian Montoya, Joe Heyes, Cameron Henderson, Ollie Chessum, Hanro Liebenberg, Tommy Reffell, Olly Cracknell, Jack van Poortvliet, Handre Pollard, Ollie Hassell-Collins, Joe Woodward, Solomone Kata, Adam Radwan, Freddie Steward
Leicester Tigers Replacements (16-23) Charlie Clare, James Cronin, Dan Cole, Matt Rogerson, Emeka Ilione, Ben Youngs, Ben Volavola, Izaia Perese
