Venter commends bravery

Premiership leaders honoured for determination

By Lizzie Rose   Last updated: 31st October 2009  

Venter commends bravery

Venter: Pleased with bravery

Everything that could have gone wrong did go wrong in the second half, but the guys kept going. It was courage and determination - they fought it out.

Brendan Venter
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Saracens coach Brendan Venter praised his side for their courage after they picked up their seventh successive victory in the Guinness Premiership.

The unbeaten leaders beat struggling Bath 12-11 at the Recreation Ground but a late surge from the home side meant it wasn't the easiest of wins.

Saracens looked to be in control for the majority of the match but Bath, who haven't won at home in any competition since April last season, fought back late on.

A try for skipper Michael Claassens three minutes from time created a tense ending to the game but Saracens held on to claim the victory and record the best start to a Premiership season since Newcastle managed 12 on the bounce in 1997.

"That game could have gone either way, but whatever the result, it wouldn't have changed how courageous our approach was," said Venter.

Determination

"Everything that could have gone wrong did go wrong in the second half, but the guys kept going. It was courage and determination - they fought it out."

Saracens prop Rhys Gill was sin-binned just before injury time, after appearing to knock the ball out of Claassens' hands having not retreated 10 metres.

"It was not a sin bin at all. They milked it, and you can lose a Premiership game like that," said Venter.

"I spoke to Rhys afterwards, and he said he didn't touch the Bath player."

Saracens go in to a short break for the Anglo-Welsh competition guaranteed to remain at the top of the table but Venter knows there is still a long way to go this season.

"The moment you look ahead, you cannot see the stumbling blocks and you fall flat on your face," he said.

Talent

The defeat for Bath, however, was another in a torrid season which has seen them gain just one victory from nine games in all competitions.

"A couple of missed tackles lost it for us," said Bath head coach Steve Meehan.

"But it was very pleasing to get an effort like that. We worked really hard, and while we are disappointed with the result, we are a lot happier with the effort and attitude.

"We are disappointed with where we are in the table, but we came across a team undefeated in the Premiership today, and that game could have gone either way.

"The talent is there, and if we can repeat that effort on a weekly basis, then it will turn into wins."