Bath still targeting top four position – Hooper
STUART Hooper underlined Bath’s “goal and ambition” to secure a Gallagher Premiership play-off place after they claimed a dramatic victory over Leicester yesterday, writes Andrew Baldock.
Scrum-half Ben Spencer added the extras to Will Muir’s 78thminute try to thwart Leicester’s hopes of a first league win at the Recreation Ground since 2011.
Bath are ten points off the top four with six games left, but they remain firmly in the chasing pack.
“The top four is certainly our goal and ambition,” Bath rugby director Hooper said. “But you cannot control anything other than the game you are playing.
“There are challenges that you don’t foresee and the top four is hard work, but we have got a group of lads who are ready for that.”
Leicester had dominant spells of strong forward play, with England prop Ellis Genge shining at the setpiece and in the loose and South African number eight Jasper Wiese hitting hard in attack and defence.
But they could not put Bath away and the hosts showed resilience to ultimately edge an intense contest that was highlighted by a man-ofthe match performance from home number eight Zach Mercer.
Mercer will leave the West for French club Montpellier in the summer, a move which surprised many when it was announced. His
BATH RUGBY ................... 21 LEICESTER TIGERS ....... 20
Bath team-mate Anthony Watson said: “I questioned his decision to leave the club and I was a bit hostile, but the way he has taken the opportunity to represent this club has made me feel like an idiot.
“He has been world-class and for someone to do that and to be leaving at the end of the year shows what type of bloke he is.
“I didn’t think he was making the right decision, and was stand-offish. I spoke to him about it and I understand his reasons a bit better.
“When his contract is over there (at Montpellier), he will still be less than 25 years old.”
Five George Ford’s penalties and a try by Matias Moroni looked to be enough for Leicester but Muir’s second touchdown, a Miles Reid try and three Spencer conversions edged Bath home.
Bath: Watson; Cokanasiga, Joseph, Redpath, Muir; Matavesi, B Spencer; Obano, Walker, Stuart, McNally, Ewels, Faletau, Underhill, Mercer. Replacements: J Schoeman for Obano (58), Du Toit for Walker (58), Thomas for Stuart (58), Williams for McNally (70), Reid for Faletau (54), Gray for Matavesi (54). Not Used: Chudley, Bailey.
Scorers – Tries: Muir 2, Reid. Cons: B Spencer 3. Leicester: Steward; Potter, Moroni, Kelly, Murimurivalu; Ford, B Youngs; Genge, T Youngs, Cole, Wells, Green, Martin, Reffell, Wiese. Replacements: Wigglesworth for B Youngs (53), de Bruin for Genge (62), Clare for T Youngs (47), Heyes for Cole (47), Wallace for Reffell (62), Scott for Kelly (56). Not Used: Lavanini, McPhillips. Scorers – Tries: Moroni. Pens: Ford 5.
Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU).