The Bath Rugby co-coach had no defence for his side's performance-stating that it was the worst of the season. "It was not a professional performance and it was extremely disappointing. We failed to turn good pressure into points and made too many individual handling errors. If it were a tennis match you would say that there were too many unforced errors."
Mike Catt was a late withdrawal on medical advice prior to kick-off with a hamstring strain and Bath missed his experience from fly half during a match where too many balls bounced off of chests or failed to go to hand-it was a day for bread and butter rugby.
The visitors started well with Olly Barkley, Matt Perry and Simon Danielli coming close to the line as Bath dominated the opening quarter in terms of both possession and territory. However, a single Barkley penalty was all Smith and Foley's side had to show from the opening quarter-after that it was all Quins.
The match swung when Simon Emms was sent to the sin-bin in the 33 minute for pulling down a maul and the home side scored the opening try of the match almost immediately after the Welshman's departure. Stand-in fly half Will Greenwood went over after a good take from Tony Diprose at the lineout and a drive from the Quins pack. Nathan Williams converted.
Bath looked to have repelled further threat before on the stroke of half time Matt Moore touched down in the corner after an electrifying break from Nick Duncombe-who beat three defeanders. Olly Barkley prevented a further score with a try-saving tackle on Williams on the line.
After the interval Barkley landed two penalties to hand the visitiors a glimmer of hope, but the scores served to lift the home side as Quins finished the stronger. Olly Barkley made another try-saving tackle on Matt Moore before Williams slotted over two penalties in the final quarter to close out the match.
Bath Rugby
15 Perry, 14 Danielli (r19), 13 Maggs, 12 Tindall (r20), 11 Barkley 3p, 10 Malone, 9 Cooper, 1 Emms (yellow), 2 Humphreys (r17), 3 Galasso (r18), 4 Borthwick, 5 Grewcock, 6 Scaysbrook, 7 Lyle (r22), N.Thomas (r21)
reps 16 Williams, 17 Long, 18 Mallett, 19 Voyce, 20 Crockett, 21 Lloyd, 22 Beattie
