Leicester would require some extent from their remaining Gallagher Premiership recreation in opposition to Newcastle to verify a play-off place after dropping 43-15 in opposition to title favourites Bathtub.
And victory for Leicester over the Premiership’s backside membership on Could 31 would additionally safe a house semi-final.
Leaders Bath claimed their 14th league win of the marketing campaign in what may show a gown rehearsal for the Premiership remaining in mid-June.
Tries from Ben Spencer, Beno Obano, Tom Dunn, Quinn Roux, Will Stuart, Joe Cokanasiga and Will Butt – plus 4 Finn Russell conversions – gave Bathtub the send-off they required into subsequent Friday’s EPCR Challenge Cup remaining appointment with Lyon.
Leicester have been in competition for a lot of the Recreation Floor conflict and led simply earlier than half-time.
However regardless of tries by Joseph Woodward and Adam Radwan, plus a Handre Pollard penalty and conversion, they might not make strain depend regardless of prolonged spells inside Bathtub’s 22.
Michael Cheika’s staff would undoubtedly have wished to get the play-off job performed within the West Nation, but it will be an enormous shock if they don’t get there.
Bathtub flew out of the blocks and went forward after simply 4 minutes when flanker Sam Underhill gained a lineout ball earlier than discovering Spencer, whose 30-metre run noticed him outstrip Tigers’ defence for an excellent solo attempt.
Pollard opened Leicester’s account by way of a 35-metre penalty shortly afterwards, however the guests quickly went all the way down to 14 gamers when England lock Ollie Chessum was yellow-carded following a excessive problem on Bathtub wing Will Muir.
The hosts appeared to take cost, however Leicester had different concepts and so they went forward when scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet’s cross-kick was caught by Woodward, who completed strongly.
Bathtub regained the benefit 4 minutes later courtesy of a close-range effort from Obano that Russell transformed, and a vigorous opening quarter ended with the house facet 12-8 in entrance.
Referee Anthony Woodthorpe and the tv match official have been in common dialog, and Bathtub hooker Dunn obtained a yellow card after head contact with Tigers flanker Hanro Liebenberg.
And the guests cashed in, stretching Bathtub’s defence earlier than full-back Freddie Steward floated an extended cross to Radwan, who scored his eighth attempt in eight Premiership video games since becoming a member of the membership from Newcastle.
Pollard transformed – and Radwan was denied a quickfire second landing by Bathtub flanker Ted Hill’s sensible cowl sort out – earlier than Hill turned supplier for Bathtub’s third rating.
His highly effective touchline run virtually took him away from Leicester’s defence, however the residence facet rapidly recycled possession and Roux collected Russell’s cross to attain, with the fly-half changing for a 19-15 interval lead.
Dunn put Bathtub additional in entrance when he claimed their bonus-point attempt eight minutes after the restart, earlier than Stuart went over with 12 minutes left to depart Leicester floundering.
There was no means again for the Tigers after that and Bathtub nonetheless had time for 2 extra tries when Max Ojomoh intercepted a cross deep inside his personal 22 earlier than sending Cokanasiga sprinting clear to attain, then Butt took his staff previous 40 factors.
However a play-off spot continues to be firmly in Leicester’s management when Newcastle arrive at Mattioli Woods Welford Highway in two weeks’ time.
