IT’S JONNY CASH

May shows Leicester just what he’s worth

JONNY MAY scored twice to ease Leicester’s relegation worries — and give himself a bigger bargaining chip in his current contract negotiations.

May touched down in either half as Tigers drew level on points with 10th-placed Wasps, who play today, and kept shamed Saracens at arm’s length.

Bristol were 21-6 down at halftime after prop Jordan Lay and wing Alapati Leiua were sin-binned, but gave Leicester a scare with two scores straight after the break.

But May’s second try, when he finished off full-back Telusa Veainu’s pass, sealed the contest and what could be a crucial bonus point.

World Cup finalist May’s deal at Welford Road expires at the end of this season – but reminding Tigers of his deadly finishing skill won’t have done the winger any harm. Leicester boss Geordan Murphy said: “Jonny is world class, isn’t he? Give him the ball in space and he does a good job.

“I thought Veainu could taken the full-back out – he gave Jonny a bit more work to do... but he enjoys that.

“The conversations I had with Jonny from the start of the season, he seemed really keen to stay – it is about trying to get the balance right for both parties.”

Bristol’s day finished on a sour note when Kiwi full-back Charles Piutau broke his nose and injured his knee, ironically in a challenge from May.

Bears boss Pat Lam said: “It ebbed and flowed, we got ourselves back and blew it at the end.

“Charles is not great – that makes it doubly worse, I think it is his knee and a broken nose. It doesn’t look good for a few weeks now and Johnny Afoa has done his ribs too.”

Two players who have signed new contracts at Welford Road, Ellis Genge and George Ford, helped Tigers to their 15-point lead at the interval.

Prop Genge (left) powered over after just five minutes, before May’s first try, then fly-half Ford cut the Bristol defence to shreds.

That looked game, set and match but flanker Dan Thomas scored off a driving lineout on 45 minutes then Bristol manufactured a wonder score from the kick-off.

Fly-half Callum Sheedy made a break from his 22 and chipped for centre Piers O’Conor to score.

But then came May’s killer blow.