Connolly: We locked 'em out (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Connolly: We locked 'em out

Bath boss John Connolly hailed "world class locks" Danny Grewcock and Steve Borthwick after his team secured a dramatic Guinness Premiership victory over west country rivals Gloucester at the Recreation Ground.

Bath had centre Andrew Higgins sent off in first half injury time for a second yellow card offence tripping England star Mike Tindall but they dug deep to grind out an 18-16 success.

Gloucester would have gone top of the Premiership had they won but they have still to beat Bath in 15 attempts away from home since English league rugby began in 1987.

Grewcock and Borthwick were at the heart of Bath's efforts, with Grewcock producing an irresistible case for England selection against Australia at Twickenham next month.

Bath skipper Borthwick has not even made England's 30-man autumn squad, but Gloucester could not cope with him or Grewcock during a full-blooded tussle.

"They are world-class locks, and I wouldn't want to swap those two for anyone else," said rugby director Connolly.

"Borthwick and Grewcock were strong. We had to dig it out. It was a case of working hard and stopping Gloucester from getting momentum, which we did."

Connolly also paid tribute to England squad hooker Lee Mears, adding: "I have no doubt that he is ready for England. Some of the rugby out there today was of Test match intensity."

For Gloucester, it was their first defeat this season following five victories and a draw in league and cup competitions.

And coach Dean Ryan said: "Fifteen of the 18 points that we conceded came from penalties, so we will have to look at our behaviour which produced that."