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LEICESTER TIGERS v SALE SHARKS
– LAST TIME OUT – LEICESTER TIGERS 36-31 BATH RUGBY Sunday January 3, 2021 / Gallagher Premiership Round 5 Attendance: Closed doors / Referee: Mr Wayne Barnes LEICESTER TIGERS 15 Freddie Steward 14 Kobus van Wyk 13 Jaco Taute 12 Matt Scott 11 Nemani Nadolo 10 George Ford 9 Ben Youngs
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3C / 5P
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Ellis Genge Tom Youngs (c) Dan Cole Harry Wells Calum Green George Martin Hanro Liebenberg Jasper Wiese
Leicester Tigers fought back from an early 14-point deficit to beat Bath Rugby with tries from Freddie Steward, Harry Wells and Cameron Henderson, plus 21 points from George Ford. A bizarre score from Beno Obano, when Tigers thought they had possession from a defensive lineout, and a solo score from Ben Spencer gave the visitors a perfect start and Tigers a mountain to climb. But two penalties from Ford and a clinical finish from Steward provided fresh hope and a long-range kick brought the half to a close with the Bath lead cut to 16-17. The second half began with a try from Wells, finishing on the left after smart work from Nemani Nadolo, to put Tigers ahead for the first time but the scores were level at 26-26 entering the final quarter of an enthralling game before Henderson stretched out to score from close range. Bath were still not done, adding a third try of their own from Cameron Redpath before Tigers closed the game out to seal the points to move up to seventh in the table.
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16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Charlie Clare Nephi Leatigaga Joe Heyes Cameron Henderson Luke Wallace Jack van Poortvliet Zack Henry Kini Murimurivalu
NOTEBOOK… The 201st meeting of the clubs… Both clubs returned from Covidenforced breaks, with Tigers having the trip to Newcastle cancelled at Christmas and Bath unable to play their last two games… Steve Borthwick was among the absentees as he continued isolating at home… First start of the season for
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BATH: Watson, Rokoduguni, Joseph, Redpath, McConnochie, Priestland, Spencer; Obano, Dunn, Stuart, McNally, Ewels (c), Faletau, Underhill, Mercer. Reps: Walker, Schoeman, Judge, Stooke, Bayliss, Reid, Chudley, Matavesi
George Ford, Ellis Genge and Ben Youngs… George Martin’s return from injury. QUOTE... “We didn’t help ourselves early on but the resilience and mental application to get back into the game was great.” George Ford