Tigers shake off Bath

Fly-half Derick Hougaard kicked 14 points on his debut as Leicester got off to a winning start in the EDF Energy Cup with victory at Bath.

The 25-year-old kicked three penalties and a drop goal in addition to converting Ben Youngs' try.

The hosts showed their attacking intent from the second minute when Kydd led a counter up the left wing and just three minutes later they opened the scoring through right-wing Andrew Higgins after Michael Stephenson came across from the left to open up the Tigers defence. Kydd was wide with the conversion.

Hougaard kicked his first points in English rugby almost immediately as Bath were penalised at the breakdown and he added a second penalty on 15 minutes from longer range.

Before Bath had time to regroup scrum-half Youngs scooted through a spread-eagled defence after Ben Hemingway had stolen a line-out.

Bath continued to move the ball wide at every opportunity and Ayoola Erinle performed heroics to prevent Higgins scoring again, turning over possession into the bargain.

Storming

Hougaard was off-target with another long-range penalty and then a last-ditch tackle by Kydd halted a storming run by lock Sam Raven.

Although Bath lost second row Justin Harrison to a shoulder injury on 27 minutes then continued to attack from all parts of the field, Hape impressing with some subtle touches.

The Kiwi was twice involved in a thrust from deep but the try, when it came, had a touch of farce as Sam Vesty scuffed his clearance kick to Higgins, who touched down in the corner.

However, Kydd could not convert and Leicester held a 13-12 lead at the break.

As the weather worsened in the second half, scoring opportunities became increasingly at a premium.

Bulldozed

The one-point margin was maintained as Kydd and Hougaard exchanged penalties and the closest Leicester came to a try was when Alesana Tuilagi bulldozed his way just short of the line, only to be penalised for holding on.

Any Tigers nerves were eased when Hougaard stretched the lead to four points with a drop goal in the 70th minute and they were able to hold on to their lead without any further major alarms.