Bath head coach Steve Meehan paid tribute to his side's 'mammoth' defensive performance after beating Leicester 25-21.
Bath coach pays tribute after awesome rearguard
Bath head coach Steve Meehan paid tribute to his side's 'mammoth' defensive performance after they pulled off a thrilling 25-21 victory over great rivals Leicester at the Rec.
The Tigers were on the attack for long periods of the game and got their heads in front for the first time inside the final minutes, only for Butch James to score a match-winning try with the last play.
But it was stand-in skipper Alex Crockett who got the gold star from Meehan as Bath stretched their lead at the top of the table.
"Alex is a very under-rated Premiership player. He's got an enormous heart - he's always solid in attack, very aggressive," he said.
"He's our defensive captain and he was our team captain today - he's got more responsibilities than I have!
"We've certainly played better rugby than that this season but having said that, I don't think we have ever defended so well. It was just a mammoth example of belief this squad has got.
Enormous contacts
"This is a great reference point for us - in the second half our defence was outstanding and we rarely got the right side of the halfway line."
Meehan also defended Wallaby lock Justin Harrison, who has come under fire recently but was a huge presence in the Bath pack.
"When he arrived a few people around here wondered if he was really up for it," said the coach. "He has proved that he is not here for a holiday. Justin has that character you need on days like this.
"It was brutal. There were some enormous contacts at the tackle. It will keep our physios busy for the next few days."
Opposite number Heyneke Meyer also paid tribute to the Bath rearguard, and although he remains upbeat the South African believes there is plenty of improvement to come from his side.
"There were a lot of positive things out of the game. We played brilliantly in the second half and showed character against a quality side.
"It was the best Premiership match I've seen in a long time - unbelievably quick. It was a battle out there.
"At half-time I told them I wasn't happy with their discipline and I wanted to see their character. This Leicester team is 50% of what I want them to be."
