Leicester edge Bath 22-20 as Searle seals late penalty

Leicester Tigers edged Bath Rugby 22-20 at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Saturday, sealing victory with a last-gasp penalty by replacement flyhalf Billy Searle after Bath were reduced to 14 men by a late yellow card. The result ended Bath's perfect league start and avenged Leicester's defeat to Bath in last season's Premiership final.

Bath struck early with Dan Frost finishing a break created by Santiago Carreras, and extended their lead through Sam Underhill and a spectacular Cameron Redpath try. Bath led 17-12 at half after kicking points from Finn Russell, but Leicester rallied after the interval with close-range efforts from No.8 Olly Cracknell and flanker Tommy Reffell, the latter emerging from a dominant rolling maul following sustained pressure on Bath's scrum. Prop Nicky Smith forced his way over later in the second half to level the scores and set up a tense finale.

With eight minutes remaining Russell nudged Bath back in front with a penalty, but a high tackle by Bath prop Thomas du Toit late in the game resulted in a yellow card and a penalty opportunity. Searle slotted the 25-metre kick on the left with the clock in the red to complete Leicester's comeback and leave...