Meehan - Massive result

Bath boss delighted after Warriors are put to the sword

By Joe Drabble   Last updated: 19th April 2008

steve meehan bath rugby

Meehan: Sixways success

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Bath head coach Steve Meehan branded his side's 23-20 win over Worcester "a massive result" as his team edged closer towards securing a place in the Guinness Premiership play-offs.

Centre Tom Cheeseman scored three tries as Meehan's men dug deep for victory, but Worcester refused to lie down as the visitors were forced to withstand relentless pressure during injury-time before claiming the win.

The victory keeps Bath second in the table, three points behind leaders Gloucester, and Meehan admitted his delight with a win which gives his side momentum going into the final stage of the season.

"Worcester are a good side, so this was always going to be a difficult game," he said.

"We are delighted with the win - it is a massive result for us and has provided good momentum for our next Premiership match against Saracens.

"The defensive effort was fantastic. Those last few minutes were all about how big the players' hearts were, and it took a huge disciplined effort."

Worcester view

Worcester rugby director Mike Ruddock had no complaints about the result after the Warriors suffered their first home defeat for two months.

"We made crucial errors far too often, and our skills weren't as good as Bath's over the 80 minutes," he said.

"We lost the game, and that hurts. We felt we should have won after getting 20-16 ahead, and we have got to learn to shut the gate and stop teams coming back at us.

"Bath are a quality team and I like the way they play with their width and tempo."

Superb Benjamin

Ruddock also saluted the display of two-try hero Miles Benjamin, and the Warriors coach believes the 19-year-old has a superb chance of working his way into the international set-up in the coming years .

"We have looked to develop young guys like him at the club," said Ruddock.

"He looks a real candidate for England honours in the future.

"Teams are trying to take away our set-piece game in matches and work us out. We have needed a plan B, and guys like Miles, Rico Gear and Marcel Garvey give us that."