Steve Meehan described Bath's first-half display in the 22-16 defeat at Harlequins as "the least inspiring half of our season".
Bath coach unhappy with decisive try
Steve Meehan described Bath's first-half display in the 22-16 defeat at Harlequins as "the least inspiring half of our season".
With a chance to leap over Leicester and Gloucester into top spot in the Guinness Premiership Meehan's men failed to use the advantage of the strong wind and went into the break level at 6-6.
"Three things went against us," he said. "We kicked the ball far too often, our line-out didn't function as well as it would normally and we had a penalty count of 7-2 against us.
"We are normally disciplined, but we had a referee that found us at fault.
"In the second half we fought it out until the death and showed character and skill - that got us our bonus point (thanks to an injury-time converted try), but that was three points lost."
Meehan also said he had an issue with the awarding of the decisive try by Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care because of how the turnover came about, but after watching a replay agreed that Matt Banahan's late score was rightly turned down because of some crossing in midfield.
Nervous Richards
Opposite number Dean Richards admitted he was "a bit nervous" before the start after being forced into a number of changes.
"But we had a good chat beforehand about how we were going to play into the wind and I think we did it better," he said.
"We have a good group of youngsters and they are enjoying the rewards of their work. We found Bath a bit niggly on the day, which surprised me considering they have had only two yellow cards all season.
"Danny took his try very well - if you leave a gap he will exploit it. Defences tighten up against him and that opens things up more out wider.
"I wouldn't be surprised if he goes (with England) to New Zealand this summer. On merit you would say he has a shout."
Care has replaced former England number nine Andy Gomarsall in the Harlequins 1st XV and, not for the first time in recent weeks, was named man-of-the-match.
Quins beat leaders Gloucester two weekends ago and today they stopped Bath gaining the win which, if it came with four tries, would have taken them top.
Harlequins lie fifth in the table and Richards added: "I've always said we are looking to improve on our seventh place last season. That's still our objective - top four would be icing on the cake.
"We've won four of our last five. The players are quite level-headed now. We're looking at how we can improve and it's showing in how we are playing."
