Blackadder defends move over co-captain Chudley
Todd Blackadder defended the decision to take co-captain Will Chudley off 13 minutes from time in the defeat to Northampton Saints.
Bath had already lost their other co-captain, Luke Charteris, to a bang to the head in the first half and, as the final ten minutes approached, the Premiership clash was locked at 20-20.
The visitors extended their lead to 26-20 before a calamitous final four minutes.
Max Green put a box-kick out on the full, Bath stole the lineout which followed, then two phases later Green was charged down by Jamie Gibson.
Saints were deep in the 22m and despite brave defending of mauls and pick and drives, Bath succumbed to a quick tap penalty and converted try by lock David Ribbans in added time to lose 27-26.
“We felt we needed some fresh legs and energy out there,” said Blackadder.
“You live and die by these things. I back the decision to change them.
“The game ended, it wasn’t great and one of the boys we put on made a mistake, but it worked last week [when Bath’s bench had a good late impact].
“We could have had a different exit [strategy, when Green was charged down]. Rhys [Priestland] was kicking long and he was back in the pocket.
“It’s just pressure. Young Max will learn from it. He’s devastated by it, but it just comes down to these moments doesn’t it.
“We didn’t exit. We could have, we probably should have, and it would have taken the pressure off. Also, that last try one of the boys turned their backs [Max Lahiff] after all the work had been put in and that was the difference. Bang. Gone.”
Saints have only lost once in the league at home since September and in their previous four matches at Franklin’s Gardens in all competitions they had scored an average of 71 points.
Bath managed to stifle their attack and force mistakes.
The hosts only scored three points in the first half.
Saints still made line breaks and used their offloading game to good effect, but until the match-winning try in added time they only had two to their name.
“The gameplan was solid, it was good,” said Blackadder.
“The whole plan was to really get up and put their skillsets under pressure, which we did for the most part. I thought we played really well.
“Defensively we went up a gear today and our attack was some of the best we’ve had all season.
“We were probably a bit eager when we were down in their 22m, going in ones and we probably should have gone in threes like they did at the end.”
Blackadder said Darren Atkins’ injury looks a serious one.
The full-back went off in the 20th minute and came back to the field after the game on crutches with a big brace on his right knee. Charteris failed an HIA.