RUGBY: Saints deserved win, says Davis (From Wiltshire Times)

RUGBY: Saints deserved win, says Davis

12:05pm Saturday 15th September 2012 in Sport

BATH coach Brad Davis admitted his side had got what they deserved as they slipped to their first Aviva Premiership defeat of the season last night.

Stephen Myler booted five penalties while replacement, Tom May, added a late drop goal to give Northampton an 18-14 win.

Bath took the lead in the opening minute through full-back Nick Abendanon's try, while Olly Barkley kicked three penalties.

Skills coach Davis said: "Our overriding feeling is one of massive disappointment. It was a match of two halves as far as our kicking game was concerned.

"To be brutally honest, Northampton deserved to win the match. But Abendanon was outstanding, brilliant."

Scrum coach Neil Hatley added: "We weren't accurate enough at the set piece and we conceded early penalties."

Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder is hopeful that England wing Ben Foden has not broken his leg after being carried off following an otherwise innocuous looking man-and-ball tackle by Bath's Tom Biggs six minutes into the second half.

Referee Andrew Small called for the TV match official to take a closer look at the incident but he confirmed there was no foul play. Foden, though, was in severe pain as he was helped off the pitch. He later left the ground wearing a surgical boot.

Mallinder said: "It's an ankle injury but I don't know a lot more about it than that.

"The doctor thinks that it's not broken. We're hopeful it's just a strain."

MORE BATH RUGBY NEWS & PICTURES IN FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES