A second-half comeback wasn't enough to chase down Bath Rugby in the Gallagher Premiership Final.
Despite crossing for the first try of the match, just five minutes into the game, Leicester Tigers relinquished the lead and trailed 20-7 with just 13 minutes on the clock.
Two late tries for the Tigers bookended a penalty to Bath to make the difference just two points, 23-21, with three minutes to go. However, despite the best efforts of Leicester, who were a man down with Dan Cole in the sin bin, Bath held on to claim the win and the 24/25 Premiership title.
The Final, which was witnessed by a sell-out crowd of 82,000 fans at Allianz Stadium, doubled as a last appearance in Leicester Tigers colours for Julián Montoya, Handré Pollard, James Cronin, and Matt Rogerson, as well as retiring duo Ben Youngs and Cole.
It took just five minutes for the first points, sending the Tigers contingent in Twickenham crazy, when Jack van Poortvliet scored after a patient build-up from the Leicester pack.
On the end of a near 50m touch finder from Pollard, Tigers brought the ball down from a lineout and drove towards the Bath line before, just two phases later, the scrum-half dived over from close range.
Pollard converted the try from out wide to make it 0-7.
A penalty goal to Finn Russell made it a four-point difference, 3-7, in the 10th minute.
Both sides continued to trade blows before Bath had their first try in the 26th minute, through Thomas du Toit, which Russell converted to make it 10-7, which was followed by a further blow when Montoya was shown a yellow card for what was ruled to be high contact.
A man down in the scorching summer sun, Tigers held on in defence during the final ten minutes of the first half before welcoming Montoya back just before the break.
Russell slotted a second penalty just before the break to see his side take a six-point, 13-7, lead into the changing rooms.
Pollard missed a chance to close the gap by three in the opening minutes of the first half before Bath extended their lead when Russell intercepted a Pollard pass and found Max Ojomoh in support to send over for their second try. The Bath fly-half converted to make it 20-7.
Both sides went to their bench to add spark in the final quarter and it delivered an exciting finish for the 82,000 fans, with the injection of energy serving up a stellar finish to the game.
Bath looked to have a third when Guy Pepper crossed but after a lengthy TMO check the score was rubbed out for a knock-on earlier in the attacking play and the difference remained seven points.
Youngs and Cole received standing ovations when brought on, from both sets of fans, for a deserved acknowledgment of their memorable careers for both club and country.
The Leicester comeback began in the 67th minute when Solomone Kata crashed over from close range and Pollard converted to make the difference six points, 20-14.
After Cole received a yellow card for what was deemed late contact in an attempt the charge down a Russell kick, the Bath fly-half slotted a penalty goal to take his side's lead back out to nine points, 23-14, with nine minutes remaining.
A man down and fighting for everything, replacement back rower Emeka Ilione scored in the 75th minute - which Pollard converted - to see the teams separated by just two points, 23-21, which is where it remained despite a tense finish to the game for all watching on.
