THE three-match must-win sequence to keep Leicester in the chase for the Guinness Premiership playoffs began exactly as the Tigers would have hoped. They were polished, ambitious and unrelenting, dominating Bristol to successfully start the hunt for a last-four spot.

Crucially, Leicester made their superiority count when they obtained a bonus point with a fourth try after 57 minutes. It was fitting reward for the Tigers, who put the misery of last week’s EDF Energy Cup final loss behind them by setting too quick a pace for Bristol to challenge them seriously.

On a dry, windy afternoon, Leicester fly-half Andy Goode was put under pressure from the start. Luke Eves, on his debut for Bristol, tackled him in the first few seconds and Andrew Blowers followed up with another hit on the opposite side of the pitch. But Goode, and Leicester, would not be ruffled.

The home side scored their first try after just five minutes. A deflection by Ben Kay from a lineout allowed them to quickly open up play to the left but when Leicester switched the ball to the opposite flank, Aaron Mauger was able to drive on for the score after a considerable surge by Alesana Tuilagi.

Leicester continued to threaten but it was Bristol who missed the first penalty chance of the day when Ed Barnes was wide from 50 metres after 14 minutes. Five minutes later Goode, from much closer range, landed a goal for Leicester.

Leicester scored their second try after 22 minutes. Goode set up a 15m lineout with a penalty from halfway and the Leicester forwards, in complete harmony, put in an outstanding drive from which Ben Herring gained the touchdown.

The last Leicester try of the half came after 26 minutes thanks to good work from Goode, who was now in full flow. He slipped the ball to Tuilagi and the wing set off at speed with Tom Varndell to his left. Together they attacked the lone defender, Luke Arscott, and the transfer to Varndell gave him a clear run for a try which Goode converted.

Bristol, after so much time on the back foot, were more prominent in the final minutes of the half with two set-pieces close to the Leicester line. But when Arscott looked as though he could launch himself over for the try, Tom Croft was waiting, leaving Leicester with a lead of 20-0.

Bristol started the second half well, giving scrum-half Shaun Perry time on the ball to create, and they began to seriously threaten the Leicester line. Both Lee Robinson and Sean Hohneck went close but it was from a scrum at close range that Bristol obtained their first points after 49 minutes. Perry, breaking strongly, burrowed through for the touchdown, holding off Croft.

Leicester made amends in the most convincing fashion with the forwards dominating a sequence of six scrums on the Bristol line. On the final one after 57 minutes they gained a penalty try - after Bristol collapsed the scrum - and that all-important bonus point.

Leicester’s task for the day was effectively over but for good measure they added a fifth try from Goode, who took a long pass from Ayoola Erinle, who had come on for Mauger.

Bristol were determined to end the game with another score and they achieved that in the eighth minute of stoppage time with a try from Graeme Beveridge. Leicester’s next match is away to Newcastle two weeks today and they finish the regular season with a home match against Harlequins. On yesterday’s evidence, they have picked up the pace again and confidence looks restored after their collapse against the Ospreys at Twickenham. They will not expect to falter again.

Star man: Tom Croft (Leicester)

Leicester: G Murphy (I Humphries 63min); T Varndell, D Hipkiss, A Mauger (A Erinle 60min), A Tuilagi; A Goode, H Ellis (F Murphy 69min); M Castrogiovanni (M Ayerza 68min), M Davies (B Kayser 77min), J White, M Corry (capt), B Kay (R Blaze 67min), T Croft, J Crane, B Herring (B Deacon 66min)

Bristol: L Arscott; L Robinson, N Brew, L Eves, D Lemi; E Barnes (J Strange 67min), S Perry (capt, G Beveridge 67min); A Clarke (R Hogan 67min), S Linklater, P Bracken, M Sambucetti, S Hohneck (N Budgett 57min), I Grieve (R Prosser 63min), D Ward-Smith, A Blowers (A To’oala 44min)

Scorers: Leicester: Tries: Mauger, Herring, Varndell, Goode, penalty try Cons: Goode (2) Pen: Goode Bristol: Tries:Perry, Beveridge Cons: Barnes, Strange

Referee: D Richards (RFU) Attendance: 17,324