In a heart-stopping clash that kept fans on the edge of their seats, Leicester Tigers clawed back a dramatic 22-20 victory over Bath with a last-gasp penalty kick, settling an old score from last year’s Premiership final. But here’s where it gets controversial—was it Bath’s penalties or Leicester’s resilience that truly decided the game? Let’s dive in.
The match, held at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, was a rollercoaster from the start. Dan Frost and Olly Cracknell traded early tries, setting the tone for a fiercely contested battle. Bath seemed to pull away with tries from Sam Underhill and Cam Redpath, but Leicester refused to yield. Tommy Reffell and Nicky Smith responded with tries of their own, capitalizing on Bath’s mounting penalties—a point that’s sure to spark debate among fans. And this is the part most people miss: Bath’s discipline, or lack thereof, played a pivotal role in their downfall.
With eight minutes left, Finn Russell nudged Bath ahead, only for Billy Searle to snatch victory in the dying seconds after Thomas du Toit’s late yellow card. The win lifts Leicester to fifth, while Bath remain second, left to rue what might have been.
But here’s the real question: Did Bath lose this match, or did Leicester win it? Bath head coach Johann van Graan lamented the ‘sickening feeling’ of defeat, attributing it to the penalty count. Meanwhile, Leicester’s Geoff Parling praised his team’s grit, highlighting their ability to stick to their process under pressure. What do you think? Was it Bath’s mistakes or Leicester’s determination that sealed the result? Let us know in the comments.
Adding an emotional layer to the day, former England captain Lewis Moody, recently diagnosed with motor neurone disease, joined ex-teammates on the pitch at halftime. Moody, who played for both clubs, received a standing ovation, uniting both sets of fans in a moment of solidarity. It was a powerful reminder of rugby’s ability to rally around its own, transcending rivalries.
Looking back, the game mirrored June’s Premiership final, with another two-point margin and a fierce set-piece battle. Bath’s Santi Carreras and Henry Arundell shone in their first starts, but it was Leicester’s maul and scrum dominance that ultimately tipped the scales. As van Graan noted, ‘Sometimes you win it like that, sometimes you lose it like that.’
Final thought: Is this the start of Leicester’s resurgence, or a wake-up call for Bath? Share your take below—we’d love to hear your perspective on this thrilling encounter!
