Leicester weathered a howling gale at Welford Road to blow away Bedford and move ahead at the top of the table.

The Tigers went three points up before the visitors touched the ball thanks to a Tim Stimpson penalty when Bedford strayed offside.

Bedford came back and for the 15 minutes were camped in Tigers' Half. Winger Darragh O'Mahony made several penetrating breaks but without any success.

Leicester recovered and when centre Pat Howard chipped over the defence he was impeded and Stimpson kicked another three points.

More Tigers' pressure brought a series of penalties and from a resulting lineout Martin Johnson caught the ball and the forwards drove over to give Neil Back his ninth try of the season.

Tim Stimpson: Boxing Day winner

From another lineout the same move brought a try for Leicester hooker Richard Cockerill but as with the previous try Stimpson failed to convert.

Immediately after the break Stimpson landed a penalty when Bedford infringed close to their line.

Healey's kicking was spot on and gained Leicester territorial advantage.

The replacement of Tigers' centre Pat Howard by Jon Stuart gave them more penetration in the centre and if Stuart had passed outside to Potter soon after he came on to the pitch, a try would have been certain.