Searle hat-trick keeps Tigers knockout hopes alive

Investec Champions Cup

Leicester Tigers (24) 57

Tries: Radwan 2, Reffell, Henderson, Searle 3, Chessum, Ilione Cons: Searle 5, Woodward

Bayonne (0) 14

Tries: Spring, Tumania Cons: Spring, Boyle-Tiatia

Fly-half Billy Searle scored a second-half hat-trick as Leicester Tigers kept their knockout hopes alive in the Investec Champions Cup with a dominant win over Bayonne.

Qualification remains difficult as a positive result will likely be required over Stormers, who are undefeated this season, in South Africa next Saturday.

Geoff Parling's side had the bonus point secured before half-time, with Searle, captain Ollie Chessum and Emeka Ilione scoring in a one-sided second half.

Adam Radwan continued his fine scoring form with two early tries and Tommy Reffell also crossed in the first half.

Lock Cameron Henderson then showed his athleticism to score after a sharp break by England full-back Freddie Steward.

Parling's side, like Bayonne, lost their opening two games in Europe but had tricky games in La Rochelle and Leinster.

The Top 14 side can no longer qualify for the knockouts and only managed two tries through full-back Tom Spring and prop Emosi Tumania.

More to follow.

Leicester travel to South Africa to play Stormers next Saturday (15:15 GMT), while Bayonne host Leinster at the same time.

Line-ups

Leicester: Steward; Radwan, Wand, Bailey, Hamer-Webb; Searle, Van Poortvliet; Smith, Clare, Heyes, Henderson, Chessum (capt), Thompson, Reffell, Cracknell.

Replacements: Blamire, Haffar, Hurd, Moro, Ilione, Whiteley, Woodward, Pearson.

Bayonne: Spring; Lapegue, Martocq, Tuilagi, Hannoun; Boyle-Tiatia, Tilloles; Calles, Martin, Cotet, Iturria (capt), Garcia Iandolino, Leota, Marchesin, Ariceta.

Replacements: Bosch, Tumania, Tagi, Johnson, Traversier, Jantjies, Thompson, Rasal.

Match officials

Referee: Hollie Davidson (Sco)

Assistant referees: Ru Campbell (Sco) and Jonny MacKenzie (Sco)

TMO: Mike Adamson (Sco)