Bath hold off Leeds

Leeds had to settle for a losing bonus point despite running Bath close at the Recreation Ground.

The visitors - who finally claimed their first Aviva Premiership win of the season against Gloucester last weekend - had their chances to secure a much-needed second four-pointer.

But a spectacular Nick Abendanon try straight after half-time proved the difference between the two sides - although Leeds will at least have had their spirits lifted by another encouraging display.

The try came when Abendanon latched onto a cleverly disguised inside pass from fly-half Butch James and outpaced the cover, rolling over to touch down as he was caught on the line. Olly Barkley converted and added three penalties.

Otherwise, however, it was another patchy performance from Bath, who failed to subdue the Leeds pack as easily as they had overcome London Irish on New Year's Day.

The Premiership's bottom side had plenty of possession and territory and overcame the loss of scrum-half Warren Fury to the sin-bin in the first half to lead 6-3 at one stage.

Bath started with pace and width, but could not force a breakthrough and eventually had to settle for a Barkley penalty from 40 metres.

Leeds survived the onslaught to string together several phases at the other end, until James was able to relieve the pressure by hacking clear and Scott Barrow knocked on.

On 25 minutes, Leeds' persistence - and Bath infringements - earned Ceiron Thomas the chance to level the scores from 30 metres.

Bath nearly scored from the restart as Matt Banahan was brought down inches from the line. Warren Fury was then yellow-carded for killing the ball, leaving his team-mates to defend desperately as prop David Barnes was halted under the posts.

It looked grim for the 14 men of Leeds when Lachlan MacKay was then forced off with an injury but Bath continued to waste try-scoring opportunities.

Reward

Just before Fury returned from the sin-bin, Barrow put his side ahead with a drop-goal - reward for their competitiveness at the breakdown. The lead lasted only six minutes, however, as Barkley landed a penalty on the stroke of half-time.

Within 60 seconds of the resumption, Bath hit back with Abendanon's classy score.

Leeds could quickly have gone further behind but Bath failed to finish off spectacular breaks from long range, first by Ben Skirving and then by Jack Cuthbert.

Instead they found themselves back on the defensive and a knock-on by Cuthbert allowed Leeds to set up camp in the corner and England hooker Steve Thompson eventually peeled off a maul to score.

Thomas added the conversion to bring the sides level at 13-13. Replacement Alfie To'oala nearly created a second Leeds try five minutes later but the cover closed in on Luther Burrell just in time.

Instead it was Bath who regained the lead through Barkley's penalty on 68 minutes.

Leeds attempted to rally yet again but were pinned back by the boot of Barkley. With their forwards starting to tire after their heroic efforts, there was no way back this time and Bath held on for the win relatively comfortably.