Bath skills coach Brad Davis praised his team's desire after they claimed a crucial 19-15 victory over Harlequins.
Skills coach praises spirit of side after win against Quins
Bath skills coach Brad Davis praised his team's desire after they claimed a crucial 19-15 victory over Harlequins.
Michael Claassens scored the only try of the match while Butch James kicked 14 points, as Bath eased their fears of missing out on Heineken Cup qualification.
Quins had their chances in a hard-fought and tense contest but Davis was delighted that the hosts managed to hold on to victory at the Rec.
"It was always going to be a tense affair with the two sides so closely matched but what you can't fault at all is the desire of our guys. That second 40 was monumental," Davis said.
"We were disappointed with the first 40 but happy to get in at half-time and not to have conceded (a try).
"They targeted us at the ruck and got a bit of change out of that but we spoke at half-time and tightened things up a little bit. After that, our first-up hits were a lot more accurate.
Threats
"You look at their team sheet - Danny Care, Nick Evans, Nick Easter, Ugo Monye, Mike Brown - for us to pretty much nullify those threats over 80 minutes was outstanding."
However the win, which moves Bath up into sixth place in the Aviva Premiership table, may have come at a cost as flanker Stuart Hooper is feared to have broken his arm and lock Peter Short was taken off with a hamstring pull
Harlequins director of rugby Conor O'Shea was quick to admit that his side performed well below their full potential.
He said: "We didn't play as we could. Everyone is very disappointed. For the first 20-25 minutes of the second half, we were average beyond belief. That wasn't a performance level that anyone can be happy with.
"We needed to score a try today and we didn't. We want to be a good side to win, not to watch."
O'Shea still believes that Quins can qualify for the Heineken Cup despite slipping behind Bath in the race for the all-important sixth position.
"We now need to go up to Leeds and a do a job against a side fighting for their lives," he added.
