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Leicester Tigers Triumph 35-22 Over Bath Rugby: Key Moments and Heated Debate Over Team Selection
24hscore – In a thrilling Gallagher Premiership Rugby clash on New Year’s Eve, Leicester Tigers secured an impressive 35-22 victory against Bath Rugby at Welford Road. Handre Pollard’s flawless kicking and dominant forward play contributed to the hosts’ success, while Bath faced criticism for fielding a second-string XV. Ciaran Baynes provides a comprehensive review of the match.
Key Moments
1. Leicester’s First-Half Dominance
Leicester Tigers set the tone with four first-half tries, establishing a commanding lead. Despite Bath’s dream start with an early interception try by Louis Schreuder, Leicester’s relentless forward drives and quick rucks resulted in tries from Matt Rogerson, Mike Brown, James Cronin, and George Martin.
2. Handre Pollard’s Perfect Conversions
Leicester’s number 10 new’s, Handre Pollard, showcased exceptional accuracy, converting all five attempts at goal. His flawless kicking performance further solidified Leicester’s control over the match, leaving Bath struggling to mount a comeback.
3. Bath’s Penalty Woes
Bath Rugby’s challenges stemmed from conceding penalties and an inability to thwart Leicester’s drives. The Tigers capitalized on Bath’s errors, with Cronin and Martin crossing the try line. Bath’s penalty troubles culminated in a penalty try awarded to Leicester early in the second half.
4. Questionable Team Selection by Bath
Bath’s decision to field a second-string XV sparked debate and criticism. With only three starters from the previous match against Harlequins, questions were raised about the prioritization of fixtures. Pundits, including Austin Healey, questioned whether playing the first-choice team at Welford Road would have been a valuable experience ahead of high-pressure games.
5. Jasper Wiese’s Dominant Display
Leicester’s number eight, Jasper Wiese, earned the Player of the Match accolade with powerful runs that forced Bath on the defensive. Wiese’s impressive stats included gaining 81 meters on 14 carries, beating four defenders, and achieving seven gainline successes.
Player Ratings:
Leicester Tigers:
- Standouts: Kata, Pollard, Montoya, Martin, Wiese
- Subs: Theobald-Thomas, van Wyk, Hurd, Wells, Hatherell, Cracknell, Powell, Shillcock
Bath Rugby:
- Standouts: Schoeman, Roux, McNally
- Subs: Stewart, du Toit, Jonker, Richards, Green, Carr-Smith, Hennessey, Owen
Match Highlights:
- 4′ TRY FOR BATH (SCHREUDER): Schreuder’s interception puts Bath in the lead.
- 14′ TRY FOR LEICESTER (ROGERSON): Leicester responds with a driven try.
- 24′ TRY FOR LEICESTER (BROWN): Mike Brown’s exceptional run adds to Leicester’s lead.
- 32′ TRY FOR LEICESTER (CRONIN): Leicester’s dominance continues with a close-range try.
- 35′ TRY FOR LEICESTER (MARTIN): Another powerful try as Leicester capitalizes on the numerical advantage.
- 44′ PENALTY TRY FOR LEICESTER: Bath penalized for illegal maul, resulting in a penalty try.
- 74′ TRY FOR BATH (OJOMOH): Bath finally scores with Ojomoh’s well-executed drive.
- 80′ TRY FOR BATH (RICHARDS): Ewan Richards scores a late consolation try.
The clash between Leicester Tigers and Bath Rugby delivered compelling moments and ignited discussions about team selection strategies in high-stakes sports competitions.
