Steve Meehan was fuming with his Bath players for letting a 17-0 half-time lead slip in their draw with London Irish.
Bath coach disappointed with second half display in Exiles draw
Steve Meehan was fuming with his Bath players for letting a 17-0 half-time lead slip, as their game against London Irish ended in a 20-20 draw.
Bath stormed into the lead after three tries in 31 minutes, but after the break they took their foot off the gas and the Exiles levelled with 15 minutes left to play.
The home side were on top at the Recreation Ground in a frantic finish, but they could not break down the Exiles defence and the visitors escaped with a draw.
Meehan left his players in little doubt as to what he felt about them allowing London Irish back into the game.
"It is not the happiest afternoon," he said.
Lead
"I said to the players how do you have a 17-0 lead and turn it into a 20-20 draw? At times, we just strolled through the game thinking someone would take care of it.
"Irish's first try was a good one, but their second and third tries should never have come about. It was about mental application and the willingness to work.
"Irish are a very good side and you cannot go to sleep against them. To allow them the holes we did was criminal."
The Exiles would have wanted more from the game too, after three defeats on the bounce, but after the first half performance coach Toby Booth was happy with the result.
"After being 17-0 down, that is definitely two points gained," said Booth.
"We were fairly average in the first half. We were too passive, and you get punished by good sides.
"We are striving to be a consistent side, and I believe we are now a competitive force in the Premiership."
Geraghty worry
Booth could have more trouble on his hands, with England International Geraghty attracting interest from home and abroad, and with a get-out clause in his current Irish contract.
"We are doing everything we can to keep him," Booth added.
"If Shane decides to go, in my mind, it won't be a rugby decision. We are doing everything we can on the rugby side to keep him."
