Leicester Tigers 22-20 Bath Rugby result – Billy Searle penalty gives home side victory at death and ends visitors' unbeaten run

PREM / Regular

Mattioli Woods Welford Road / 18.10.2025

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SEARLE PENALTY GIVES LEICESTER WIN TO END UNBEATEN RUN

Billy Searle kept his composure to kick a late penalty to secure Leicester Tigers a 22-20 victory against reigning Gallagher PREM champions Bath Rugby.

The Tigers were beaten by two points in June’s Gallagher PREM final by Bath, but got some redemption with Searle’s late penalty ending the visitors' perfect start to the season.

Following three consecutive wins, Bath started full of confidence and Dan Frost scored his first try for his club with just two minutes played.

However, Bath were guilty of giving away too many penalties and after being forced back 10 metres by the referee, Olly Cracknell replied for the Tigers.

The defending champions then turned on the style with Sam Underhill and Cameron Redpath scoring tries to give the visitors a comfortable advantage.

Tigers capitalised on an ill-disciplined Bath side with Tommy Reffell and Nicky Smith scoring either side of half-time.

Finn Russell looked to have salvaged the win for Bath with a penalty nine minutes from time to give his side a slender lead.

But it was Leicester who triumphed after their late pressure resulted in Thomas du Toit being penalised and Searle kicking the winning points with the last play of the match.

Image credit: Getty Images

17:11

‘WE STUCK TO PROCESS,’ SAID PARLING

Leicester head coach Geoff Parling told TNT Sports: "Looking at personality, the main thing for me was that when things were going against us, which they did at times, we stuck at it and stuck to the process.

"The reality is that game could have gone either way, we could have missed the kick. But we put ourselves in that position. We've just got to believe in ourselves a little bit more."

17:08

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17:07

‘WE DID BASICS WELL,’ SAID O’CONNOR

Following his first start for Leicester, James O’Connor told TNT Sports: "It was a mixed bag, I’m proud of my efforts because there was a lot of toing and froing in the second part of that second half.

"I’m proud of our group. We stuck in there, did the basics well and found a way to win."

16:58

VIDEO: RUSSELL TERRORISES DEFENCE

It was not to be today for Finn Russell. However, the Bath talisman caused havoc for the Leicester defence throughout.

'Magic from Russell' as Bath star terrorises Leicester

Video credit: TNT Sports

16:56

BATH DOWN TO SECOND

The late drama at Welford Road has resulted in Bath suffering their first defeat of the season. Northampton remain two points above them after four matches.

Leicester move up to fifth position with victory.

FT'

PEEP

Searle’s penalty is the winning moment and Leicester end the unbeaten run of Bath with the last moment of the match.

80'

PENALTY! LEICESTER TIGERS (SEARLE) 22 BATH RUGBY 20

The kick from out wide by Searle is a good one and Leicester seal victory with the final kick of the match.

80'

HIGH TACKLE

Wave after wave of Leicester pressure, but Searl is held up. The ball eventually comes back out to Searl who receives a high tackle from Thomas du Toit and a late penalty is awarded.

78'

CRUCIAL SPENCER TAKE

Hassell Collins kicks the ball down the wing and almost takes what looked a certain try. However, Spencer is on hand to get his body on the ball and deny his opponent.

76'

CARRERAS KICKS BATH BACK FORWARD

An excellent piece of play by the full-back who kicks deep into Leicester territory. With most of his side off-side the full-back chases his kick and then makes a solid challenge.

72'

PENALTY! LEICESTER TIGERS 19 BATH RUGBY 20 (RUSSELL)

A pressure kick on Russell who calls the tea after being awarded a penalty. He kicks it straight down the middle to put Bath a single point ahead.

70'

FURTHER CHANGES

Leicester- O'Connor off for Searle; Whiteley off for Allan.

Bath - Reid off for Staddon

68'

STEWARD ALMOST CREATES TRY

Leicester quickly break out wide with an acceleration around the corner of a tackle. However, Stewards kick through to Hassell Collins is slightly wayward.

64'

LEICESTER REPLACEMENTS

Hurd on for Heyes; Blamire off for Clare

63'

CHANGES FOR BATH

Butt on for Hennessey; Barbeary is off for Reid; Roux is replaced by Richards; Du Toit comes on for Stuart; Van Wyk comes on for Obano.

60'

BARBEARY PROVIDES SPARK

The number eight brings his side forward following a surging run deep into the Leicester half. Momentum continued to build until Carreras miss-placed a pass out wide after receiving aa killer ball from Russell.

58'

GAME FINELY BALANCED

This game is finely balanced as Bath have tightened up their discipline in the last five minutes and started to build a response.

The last five minutes has been played just inside the Leicester half and the hosts are struggling to gain ground.

54'

VIDEO: UNDERHILL TRY ONE TO REMEMBER

Bath’s second try was pleasing on the eye from Underhill. However, momentum is currently with Leicester early in this second half.

‘Stealing sweets and scoring the try!’ – Underhill extends Bath lead at Leicester

Video credit: TNT Sports

52'

VIDEO: EMOTIONAL HALF-TIME MOMENT FOR MOODY

Lewis Moody felt the warmth from the rugby community at half-time after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease

'You feel that warmth, that love' - Moody reacts to support after MND diagnosis

Video credit: TNT Sports

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