Richard Hill's side came here almost a year ago in the Championship semi final and showed up well in their final game of the season. It was a different story today.

Bristol were up against it from the off as the Tigers tore into them and only manful tackling and some poor Leicester concentration either side of half time halted the momentum.

Bristol stuck at it and were never disgraced but were second best to a team who desperately wanted to give their flagging season a boost and had more than enough big guns for the job. 

Andy Goode kicked off on a bitterly cold afternoon at Welford Road that felt more like mid December than mid April with a stiff breeze swirling. He hung a wicked kick up into the breeze which Tom Croft claimed but a big hit in midfield from Luke Eves forced Leicester back.

Lee Robinson, back in the first team after an ankle injury enjoyed a good early run but it was mostly tackling duties for Bristol early on with Iain Grieve leading the way.

Lee Robinson makes a half break

(c) Martin Bennett

On six minutes though, Dan Hipkiss made the initial inroads as he broke Neil Brew's tackle and, when the ball came back right, Alesana Tuilagi ran through Luke Eves and put Aaron Mauger in for the score. Goode dragged his kick wide but Leicester were 5-0 up.

Leicester had their tails up but David Lemi almost snatched an interception on the home 10m line but couldn't quite hang onto the ball.

Bristol's luck in these early stages was then summed up as Ed Barnes cleared from deep only for the ball to run dead at the Tigers' end. Barnes had been a metre outside his 22 when he kicked.

The Tigers stormed forward from the scrum and thought they'd scored a second try but were penalised for a double movement. It was great stuff from Leicester although Dan Ward-Smith lifted Bristol with a great 40m run from deep.

Bristol were awarded a penalty as Leicester tampered with the ball at a ruck. Barnes went for goal from distance and had the length but not the direction.

The Tigers responded by coming straight back at Bristol and the tackling had to be top drawer although referee Richards did miss a blatant piece of crossing. Bristol killed the ball near their own line and Goode made it 8-0.

Luke Eves and Scott Linklater team up in defence

(c) Martin Bennett

It was one way traffic and Leicester again marched into the Bristol 22 thanks to a penalty for offside against Mariano Sambucetti. The catch and drive followed and Ben Herring claimed the score. Goode was off target but Bristol were 13-0 down and clinging on.

Even at this stage the tackling was looking willing but tired and the Tigers gleefully exploited this as they worked the blindside to spring Alesana Tuilagi who motored into the 22 and drew Luke Arscott to put Tom Varndell in unopposed. Goode converted from in front for 20-0 after 27 minutes.

Bristol were battered but showed some guts though as they broke from their own line through Iain Grieve and Luke Eves won a moral battle as his hand off left Dan Hipkiss on his backside.

David Lemi then earned a penalty as he skipped through a couple of tackle before chipping haead only for Goode to take him out crudely. Bristol kicked for the corner but were bundled into touch and the chance was gone.

Bristol got the chance to repeat the move a few minutes later after some loose Leicester play and the drive was better this time but the home team held out.

Bristol continued to press as time ticked away and Neil Brew almost put Luke Arscott in but the full back was held up over the line by Tom Croft which told the story of Bristol's afternoon to date with the half time score 20-0.

David Lemi looks for room to run

(c) Martin Bennett

It had been a tough first period for Bristol who had put in lots of tackles and been living on scraps of possession. Leicester were well and truly trying to get their season back on track and only lapses in concentration denying them further reward.

Bristol replaced Andrew Blowers with Alfie To'oala at half time as they sought to turn things around but the Tigers were quickly back on the offensive.

Shaun Perry, leading the team with great spirit on a difficult afternoon, put Bristol back into the Tigers' half with a great clearance and Bristol nicked a rare Leicester lineout only for Sambucetti to spill the ball.

Bristol bounced back and enjoyed their best spell of maintained possession and pummelled the Tigers' defence around the fringes but to no avail.

The pressure eventually told as Ward-Smith broke from a 5m scrum and fed Perry who showed great strength to touch down. Barnes landed a superb conversion from wide out for 20-7 after 50 minutes.

Shaun Perry crosses for his score

(c) Martin Bennett

Leicester responded with a jinking run from deep from Geordan Murphy but a forward pass halted the move only for Leicester to win a penalty at the ensuing scrum and kick for the corner.

Bristol dug deep and held out the catch and drive followed by a 5m scrum. Leicester scrummaging, however, and eventually referee Dean Richards awarded a penalty try. Goode converted for 27-7 and Leicester had their bonus point.

Bristol again came back but overthrew a lineout in the Leicester 22 and the Tigers broke through deep with Herring, Crane and Varndell all involved only for great scrambling defence to save the day.

Bristol won the ball on the floor but were then penalised for holding on so Leicester went back to the corner and the pack. Bristol were further hampered by the loss of Iain Grieve through injury and, with Budgett and To'oala already on, Ryan Prosser went to the flank.

Bristol defended their line gallantly but eventually ran out of numbers and a long floated pass allowed Andy Goode to stroll in untouched on the right. 32-7 with 12 minutes left to play.

Bristol fought to the end but the inevitable flood of replacements slowed both sides and the game dragged to a close with an injury time Graeme Beveridge try lifting the gloom slightly. Strange converted for 32-14.

Graeme Beveridge scores the second try

(c) Martin Bennett

The Welford Road faithful departed having enjoyed their afternoon and Bristol slipped to four defeats in a row.