RUGBY: Ford pleased with Bath spirit (From Wiltshire Times)

RUGBY: Ford pleased with Bath spirit

9:30am Sunday 24th February 2013 in Sport

BATH defence coach Mike Ford praised his side's spirit as they fell just short of a superb coemback in their Aviva Premiership clash at Northampton yesterday.

With 20 minutes to go, Northampton looked to be heading towards a routine home win at 20-9 in front, but young referee Luke Pearce sparked the game into life by awarding a controversial penalty try and when centre Semesa Rokoduguni followed up with an another, Bath led 23-20 with 10 minutes to go.

But England discard Ben Foden sent Elliott over for his second try with seven minutes left and Northampton clung on for a vital win.

Ford was pleased with how his side came back from 20-9 down to lead with 10 minutes to go and felt the spirit was tremendous in an exciting finish.

"We were 20-9 down but the lads never gave up," said Ford. "We knew the players wouldn't stop fighting and we got two tries to go in front.

"It was pretty disappointing to concede a second, but it was a great game, the breakdown was a real contest and it is small margins in the end."

Northampton coach Alan Dickens says England discard Ben Foden is getting back to his best after he set up the winning try at Franklin's Gardens.

Foden has struggled to regain his top form since needing an operation on an ankle injury earlier in the season and he was rested by England two weeks ago.

Dickens, acting backs coach and academy manager, said: "Ben is better, he is looking after himself during the week and was good today.

"The backs looked better today, the pitch was hard, it was a good surface and that is what backs like.

"Ben is training, but he is looking after his ankle as well. He is looking good, but I think it is one of those injuries that has needed managing along the way."

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