Seventeen points from the boot of fly-half Braam van Straaten allowed Leeds to grab the points against Bath at the Rec on Saturday.

Five penalties and a conversion from the former Springbok frustrated the home side, who outscored the Tykes by three tries to one.

The victory allowed Jon Callard to make a triumphant return to his former club, after being sacked earlier this year.

The Bath fans gave their former coach a rousing welcome when he took his seat, but it was another man with West Country connections who had the most say on the field.

The home side, slipping into the bad habits of last season, gave away a succession of penalties which allowed van Straaten to land four successful kicks in the opening half.

Olly Barkley responded with a 45-metre penalty and also converted a try on the half-hour mark when Matt Perry grounded a loose ball from Mike Catt's hanging cross-kick.

Leeds, well organised and clearly aware of Bath's attacking ploys thanks to Callard's inside knowledge, began the second half in much more purposeful mood.

Clever Catt

Van Straaten missed another opportunity from 50 metres but was given an absolute sitter a few minutes later for his fifth successful penalty.

Bath, on the other hand, looked short of inspiration until another Catt chip bounced wickedly to allow Barkley over for an unconverted try.

Little had been seen of Leeds as an attacking threat but on 73 minutes rangy second row Tom Palmer handed off opposite number Steve Borthwick to cross for a try converted by van Straaten.

It was five minutes into injury time before Simon Danielli scored Bath's third try.

Barkley's conversion from the touch line was wide and the home team had to be content with one bonus point for finishing within seven, rather than two for the draw.

Bath: Perry, Danielli, Maggs, Tindall, Barkley, Catt, Cooper, Emms, Humphries, Galasso, Borthwick, Grewcock, G. Thomas, Lyle, N. Thomas. Replacements: Blake, Long, Barnes, Crockett, Mallett, Scaysbrook, Beattie.

Leeds: Scarborough, Harder, Davies, van Straaten, Hall, Ross, Dickens, Shelley, Regan, Kerr, Campbell, Palmer, Mather, Hyde, Fea'unati. Replacements: Holt, Rawlinson, P. Murphy, Popham, Hegarty, Senillosa, Emmerson.

Referee: Chris White (RFU)