Monday Round-Up

Tigers get the better of Bath

Leicester Tigers were able to gain revenge for the heavy defeat they suffered against Bath in September and defeat Mike Ford’s side 17-8 yesterday at Welford Road. Leicester knew going into the game it was not going to be an easy task in defeating this Bath side who were looking for their 8th win on the bounce. George Ford was able to give his side the lead with an penalty early on but that was as good as it good for them in first half that was dominated by The Tigers. Owen Williams was able to bring his side level shortly after with Tigers taking the lead in the 16th minute with the first try of the game. From a lineout in the Bath 22 they formed a maul which Bath could not deal with, with England international Tom Youngs going over the whitewash. Williams missed the extras but he made amends for the miss with another penalty to give Leicester an 11-3 lead which they took into the second half. Bath had the better of the second half but they were unable to be clinical in the final third making far too many handling errors aswell as losing their discipline at the breakdown. Williams was able to punish them further with two more penalties to give his side a 17-3 lead and the game was as good as over. However in the final play of the game Bath were able to cross the line with Ross Batty getting a try that on the basis of their second half performance they deserved. With the score at 17-8 George Ford had the conversion that would give his side a losing bonus point but the former Tigers player failed to find the target with Bath leaving Welford Road with nothing. The defeat for Bath now leaves them six points behind reigning champions Northampton at the top while Leicester remain in 5th place with a play-off spot still very much in their grasp.

Clermont return to the top

Clermont Auvergne took advantage of Toulon slipping up against Montpellier and Stade Francais losing to Lyon to return to the summit of the Top 14 defeating Toulouse 24-6. The hosts were well deserved of the win and dominated the game from the start to the end. They led 6-3 with only a few minutes left in the half with Lopez passing outwide to Rougerie on the overlap to give his side a 13-3 lead at the break. The second half did not get any easier for Toulouse with Lopez adding two more penalties to give his side a 19-3 lead with 20 minutes left on the clock. Luke McAlister was able to reduce the deficit with a penalty but it mattered little with Wesley Fofana finishing off a fine move to touch down in the corner to complete a 24-3 win for Clermont. This defeat for Toulouse drops them down to 8th in the table with hopes of a play-off spot still very much alive. As for Clermont they will be delighted to return to the top and will look to keep their place in top spot come the end of the season.