Tom Dunn shines on record-breaking look as Bath overwhelm Leicester

It may but be that those two groups will meet once more on this season’s Premiership last at Twickenham. If so Leicester must search for some other answers. This assembly of the leagues’s best two was once in comparison to a “heavyweight boxing clash” through Bath’s head of rugby, Johann van Graan, or even the facility of Leicester’s defence to absorb a ton of punishment was once now not sufficient finally.

Bath emerged victorious on an excellent early summer time night, helped through a memorable check out for Tom Dunn, environment a brand new membership checklist for probably the most Premiership appearances – 184 – within the well-known blue, black and white striped jersey. If the one-handed offload from Finn Russell was once now not crowd pleasing sufficient, the hooker’s extravagant dummy and next 20-metre dash to the road have been actual collector’s pieces.

Friday’s Challenge Cup last towards Lyon in Cardiff is now Bath’s subsequent goal and, apart from a limping Cam Redpath, they have got controlled to sidestep critical harm to their superstar males. Maintain their momentum for any other month and this truly is usually a particular season, with Russell’s high quality and their enviable bench assets as soon as once more conspicuous right here.

Leicester have been additionally denied a dropping bonus level and, for all their bristling competitiveness, have been not able to muster a unmarried level in the second one half of. The Tigers, regardless that, nonetheless have a house recreation towards bottom-placed Newcastle to play and it stays all however sure they’re going to have a house semi-final in subsequent month’s playoffs.

Until the final quarter, it made for a thoroughly absorbing contest. Leicester, under the soon-to-depart Michael Cheika, have been boxing clever in recent weeks and, for the most part, the Tigers’ ability to keep their opponents well marshalled in midfield made them tricky opponents.

It was a real boost for Bath, then, when they enjoyed a start to match the perfect backdrop. Ben Spencer always has a keen eye for a gap but even he must have been surprised at the space that suddenly opened up as he ran 35 metres direct from a lineout to score in the right corner.

Beneath a cloudless blue sky, the Tigers also had to cope with an early visit to the sin-bin for their England forward Ollie Chessum after a high challenge on Will Muir that, on other days, might have been a red card. They remain a resilient bunch, though, and even with 14 men they were anything but cowed.

With advantage being played a lovely chip over the top from Jack van Poortvliet was plucked out of the air by a soaring Joe Woodward who also did well to dot the ball down. The lead proved only fleeting, Bath rumbling over in the shape of Beno Obano with Chessum still off the pitch.

With Dunn also shown a yellow card the momentum soon swung again. Some home fans felt Freddie Steward’s long scoring pass may have drifted forwards but there was absolutely no doubt about Adam Radwan’s flying finish in the corner.

Radwan would have had a second almost immediately but for an incredible cover tackle from the long-striding Ted Hill, enjoying another fine game. It was also Hill who burst clear at the other end to relieve a lengthy period of pressure and set up the position from which Russell put Quinn Roux over for Bath’s third try of the afternoon.

It gave the hosts a four-point half-time lead that, given Bath’s bench intensity, boded neatly for the hosts. So it proved, a thrilled Dunn bringing the home down along with his check out, Will Stuart including a 5th and extra tries for Joe Cokanasiga and Will Butt sealing the win. Bath aren’t champions but however right here was once any other tough second-half observation of intent.