George Ford stars as Leicester Tigers revival continues with defeat of Gloucester

Leicester Tigers 34-16 Gloucester: The visitors were their own worst enemies during a first half in which Leicester had the lion’s share of possession and territory

George Ford celebrates scoring a try for Leicester (Getty Images)

Leicester’s revival after a poor start to the Gallagher Premiership season continued as they roared past Gloucester to a bonus point victory.

The 34-16 success was their second league win in a month – and they turned on the style at Welford Road.

England wing Jonny May glided over for two tries, while full-back Jonah Holmes got another and fly-half George Ford scored a try, two penalties and converted all four touchdowns in a kicking masterclass.

Gloucester were always chasing the game and, with former Leicester centre Billy Twelvetrees kicking three penalties and converting their only try of the match from flanker Gareth Evans.

The visitors were their own worst enemies during a first half in which Leicester had the lion’s share of possession and territory.

Jonny May touched down twice for Leicester Tigers (Getty)

The visitors were error-strewn as the home side took a grip on the game.

Ford started the ball rolling for the Tigers as he landed a 22 metre penalty which came after a burst up the middle to the Gloucester danger zone from lock Graham Kitchener.

The England fly-half was nudged Gloucester back with some fine touchfinders, while the pack gained the hard yards to keep the visitors on the back foot.

Holmes was the creator of the first of May’s tries as he floated a ball wide inside the Cherry and Whites’ 22 for the England star to fly over in the corner.

Ford landed a superb conversion and kicked a 25-metre penalty soon afterwards as Leicester stretched their lead to 13 points.

Matt Banahan tries to break through the Tigers defence (Getty Images)

Gloucester finally got themselves out of the mess and found some territory to get back into the game.

Twelvetrees landed a 26-metre penalty, before Leicester pulled away to grab their bonus point – only to see Gloucester battle to close the ever-increasing gap.

Holmes scored a beauty when Ford broke, gave it to centre Matt Toomua who flipped it inside for his full-back to go over from five metres.

Resourceful Ford landed the conversion but only a barnstorming stop five metres out prevented an immediate Gloucester try as wing Charlie Sharples drove for the line.

Gareth Evans dives over for the visitors (Getty Images)

The Tigers extended their lead to 21 points as May raced in from the 22 having been put away by scrum-half Ben Youngs with an inside pass. Ford converted.

Moments later, the Tigers were behind their own posts as Evans stole the ball from Ford on the home 22 and ran to the line, making Twelvetees’ conversion simple.

A Twelvetrees penalty from 30 metres brought the visitors to within 11 points – but their hopes of victory were dashed by Ford.

May intercepted a loose pass on his own 22 and, when stopped in the Gloucester half, the ball eventually found its’ way to Ford to deceive the defence and go over for the Tigers’ fourth touchdown and the bonus point – before the same player added the extras.

EXETER CHIEFS 14-9 BRISTOL BEARS

Exeter moved back to the top of the Premiership table with an unconvincing 14-9 win over battling Bristol at Sandy Park.

The victory took them four points clear of second-placed Saracens, but fierce tackling from the visitors frustrated a Chiefs' side which lacked creation.

It was not until the final 15 minutes that the hosts were able to get their noses in front and get the win.

Santiago Cordero and Sean Lonsdale scored Exeter's tries with Gareth Steenson and Joe Simmonds each kicking a conversion.

Ian Madigan kicked three penalties for Bristol to earn his side a deserved bonus point.