Bath had nothing to play for but pride, while Tigers fielded a weakened team, keeping some powder dry for the greater test to come against Saracens in the playoffs, but a splendid attacking game ensued. It was somewhat sporadic, because Bath were oddly lethargic in the opening half, but there was much to enjoy, much to admire, including nine tries.
Even the weather seemed to mock Bath’s most disappointing season. All was sunny and promising until time came to kick-off. Then it rained. Shortly before half-time, smoke emanating from the catering area behind the temporary Dyson stand began to blow across the ground. By that time, Leicester had scored three tries to further underline Bath’s present demise.
Since the Tigers had brought a scratch team, with only half a dozen of those expected to okay in the semi-finals of the playoffs in two weeks’ time, Bath, at full strength, should have been ascendant.
For a few minutes, they were, as Semesa Rokoduguni took a slick pass from Jonathan Joseph and sprinted to the line. But it was soon clear that the Leicester team, especially those unaccustomed to starting in the first XV, were playing with the incentive of forcing their way into contention for the semi-finals.
The Tigers’ forwards were really up for a scrap and each of those first-half tries was made by their ferocity. First, Fraser Balmain, a prop, concluded a sustained forward assault on the home line by forcing his way over to score. Since he was only being impeded by Bath’s slight scrum-half, Will Homer, that was not difficult.
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The next try came after a scrum, an area in which Leicester were generally dominant. Ben Youngs gave a perfect pass to the ever-dangerous Peter Betham, who crashed over to score. He came late and fast from his position at centre, but forced his way over like a forward.
Even worse from the Bath point of view was the way that Ellis Genge, Leicester’s other prop, trundled forwards and almost scored, with at least three Bath defenders hanging on to him and failing to halt his advance. Leicester retained possession and the ball was moved fast to Mathew Tait, another outstanding contributor, who scored by simply falling over the line.
The sun returned at the start of the second half and so did hope for Bath. A quick attack, first engineered by a splendid break by Anthony Watson, enabled Ollie Devoto to score his final try for Bath. A fine centre, still in his early twenties, he will play for Exeter Chiefs next season.
Substituted soon after his score, Devoto was given a generous round of applause. Nevertheless, his departure is another sign that West Country rugby power is moving further west.
Still, on this day at least, Bath found some fulfilment. Further tries from Francois Louw and Rokoduguni gave Bath some breathing space. They needed it, for Leicester mounted an energetic finale that included their fourth try but Rhys Priestland, on as a substitute had the final word by scoring wide on the left.
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Bath: Watson, Rokoduguni, Joseph, Devoto, Banahan, Ford, Homer, Catt, Webber, Wilson, Ewels, Attwood, Garvey, Louw, Denton
Leicester Tigers: Tait, Thompstone, Betham, Roberts, Catchpole, Williams, Young, Genge, Ghiraldini, Balmain, Slater, de Chaves, Croft, Evans, Crane