Ford kicks Tigers into final

George Ford: Crucial penalties for Tigers

Young fly-half George Ford kicked four crucial penalties as Leicester's young side edged out Bath 17-16 to book their place in the LV= Cup final.

Three of Ford's kicks came in the second half as he showed nerve beyond his years to add to an opportunist try in the first half by lock Graham Kitchener to get the Tigers home.

Bath's own young number ten Tom Heathcote kicked three penalties and converted their only try by hooker Lee Mears as they fell just short.

Bath made most of the running in a frenetic first quarter of an hour but a combination of alert Leicester defence and the odd handling error meant the game remained scoreless until Ford chipped over a penalty.

Almost immediately Ford then unleashed another inch-perfect 60-metre kick to the corner. Bath fumbled and Kitchener pounced for a try which went unconverted.

Leicester had looked the hungrier side to that point but Bath were suddenly stung into action and Heathcote kicked a 30-metre penalty to cut the deficit to 8-3.

First try

On the half hour, they took the lead through Mears after Matt Carraro carved through the Leicester midfield. The move was carried on through Tom Biggs and Fearns before Olly Barkley threw a long pass to the Lions hooker. Heathcote converted from touch with the help of both posts.

The home side could have scored again when Matt Banahan chased his own kick to the posts, only for Ford to scoop the ball up in the giant wing's shadow and clear to touch.

The half-time break provided only temporary respite as Bath went on the attack, helped by a miscued kick from Scott Hamilton.

After just five minutes of the half, Director of Rugby Richard Cockerill had seen enough and changed his props, bringing on Marcos Ayerza and Logovii Mulipola.

That paid off at the next scrum as Bath were penalised and Ford kicked the penalty.

That was immediately cancelled out as Heathcote put his side back in front at 13-11 with a fine touchline kick but Ford replied just as quickly with his third penalty to restore Leicester's one-point advantage.

Bath barrage

After another barrage from the hosts, Bath had to be content with a third Heathcote penalty to edge them back in front at 16-14 but he was wide with a long-range effort on 65 minutes.

Leicester showed they were far from out of it as Steve Mafi broke away from a ruck, forcing Bath to scramble back desperately until referee Dave Pearson awarded a relieving penalty.

Pearson was not so popular when he awarded Bath a penalty at a collapsed scrum only then to reverse it on the advice of his touch judge. Ford's kick was spot on again, with just nine minutes remaining.

Heathcote was quickly given another long-range opportunity after Banahan and Cuthbert launched a counter-attack but could not find the direction.

Instead it was the Tigers who almost scored again, Horacio Aguila fielding Michael Claassens' high kick and speeding down the left touchline before being forced into touch by Cuthbert.

But the visitors had done enough to earn a place in the final at Worcester on March 18 when they will face either Northampton or Scarlets.