Finn Russell wins Handre Pollard battle, card karma and Bath fan fervour – storylines of the Gallagher Premiership final

Bath ended 29 years of hurt by beating Leicester Tigers to win the Gallagher Premiership title with a consummate, hearty performance at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Saturday. The West Country side came close in last year's final, but went one better this time around, with Finn Russell guiding his side to their triumph with a memorable intercept try assist, and a flawless display from the boot.

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Russell wins Pollard battle

It was an encounter that – at fly half – billed double World Cup-winner Handre Pollard against Scottish magician Finn Russell – and it was the latter who emphatically outshone his illustrious opposite number on the Twickenham grass.

It had been tempting to write off Pollard’s goal-kicking woes in Leicester Tigers' play-off win over Sale Sharks as a blip, but they continued against Bath, with the South African missing – by his standards – a straightforward penalty early in the second half that would have brought his side back to three points behind.

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Worse was to follow though, as he passed the ball straight into Russell’s hands shortly afterwards for the Scot to streak away and put in Max Ojomoh for an intercept try.

With Russell exemplary from the tee, the Lion edged his No. 10 rival and – coupled with a typically creative game with ball in hand – set his side on the way to their triumph, despite a late charge from Leicester.

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Card karma

Last year, it was Beno Obano’s red card that changed the complexion of the final. This year, was it perhaps Julian Montoya’s first-half yellow – in his Tigers farewell – that swung things Bath’s way? Johann van Graan’s side appeared energised by suddenly facing 14 men, charging towards the Tigers’ tryline and almost getting their second score of the first half – not once but twice just before the break.

Montoya returned before the half was out, but with his side spending much of his 10-minute expulsion defending, did that sap crucial energy reserves on a warm Twickenham day?

Then, in the second half – just as Leicester were finding some rhythm and threatening a fightback – it was Dan Cole’s turn to hit the sin bin.

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Having not long come on to a big reception on his final professional appearance, the Leicester prop went from hero to zero by barging into Russell, and incurring a yellow card.

He made his displeasure clear on leaving the pitch, with his coach Michael Cheika sharing an ironic laugh when his face popped up on the big screen.

Bath fans will have felt some happy karma after last year to be on the right side of the big disciplinary calls.

Bath fan fervour

With the following they brought to south-west London, you have to wonder how many times Bath could sell out their home ground of The Rec. Their fans were – to the naked eye – everywhere, with Twickenham a sea of blue and white.

It felt like – especially after last year – a visceral desire to finally take the crown after nearly 30 years was in the air, with their fans sucking the ball into the North stand tryline at times in the first period.

And that continued in the second half, with raucous support echoing all around the stands and Russell’s intercept try being met with a guttural Rec roar.

Player of the match Guy Pepper even jumped on board the train in his post-match interview, bellowing 'come on you Bath' to the adoring support, on a memorable day for their club.

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Farewell to legends

The Gallagher Premiership bade an emotional farewell to some of its finest stalwarts on Saturday, with Ben Youngs and Cole playing their final professional games.

The Leicester legends were crestfallen on the whistle as their team fell to defeat, and it was especially tough for Cole, whose yellow card stunted the comeback his team had begun late in the second half.

But it was a painful reminder that not all sporting careers can end on a high.