Bath scored their only try in the seventh minute, following a spectacular dummy pass from Fijian scrum-half Niko Matawalu, which found Matt Banahan (on his 200th appearance for Bath). The winger then passed to the supporting Anthony Watson for a breathtaking team try. Fly-half George Ford's conversion attempt was inches wide of the upright. 0-5.

At the next scrum, the penalty went Tigers' way in an advantageous position for Tigers 10 Tommy Bell, who made it 3-5.

Bath were looking in with a strong chance of a try after half an hour, only to throw the winning pass straight into the grateful hands of the onrushing Telusa Veainu; the Tigers wing haring away for the score. Thanks to the chasing Ford, Veainu was only able to touch down in the corner, and the difficult conversion attempt was wide from Bell.

However, Bell saw to it that he was on point with his next attempt at goal after crept offside in their own 22.

Half time: Leicester Tigers 11-5 Bath Rugby

Three minutes into the second act, Ford added three points to the Bath score as the visitors won a scrum penalty. This was was followed up seven minutes later by an excellent penalty kick from the touchline, again by Ford, bringing the scores level. 11-11.

Over an hour gone, Bell atoned for a horribly skewed penalty attempt minutes earlier, making it 14-11 with the tee from a central position.

With fewer than ten minutes remaining, and Tigers' maul rumbling towards the Bath line, debutant David Denton was shown a yellow card as the visitors did all they could to prevent conceding the try.

Whilst Tigers didn't score in the immediate aftermath, it was a Pyrrhic victory as England prop Dan Cole scored a try a couple of minutes that was adjudged by the TMO not to have been knocked on in the act.

Bell was successful with his conversion from an awkward angle and Tigers held out till the final whistle, with Bath botching some good chances in the dying minutes.

Full time: Leicester Tigers 21-11 Bath Rugby

Frustration for Bath Rugby at Welford Road

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