Bath match-winner Peter Stringer grateful for game time
Peter Stringer says he is just glad to be playing after Bath Rugby's new scrum-half recruit produced a match-winning performance against Exeter Chiefs.
The Ireland international arrived at The Rec last week to start a short-term loan from Munster, with head coach Gary Gold drafting him in as cover for the injured Michael Claassens.
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Peter Stringer is all smiles after scoring his second try. PICTURE: Mervyn Clingan - takingpictures-sport.co.uk
Although the 35-year-old had an instant impact, coming off the bench to score two second-half tries in Bath's LV= Cup win over Chiefs, simply getting on the pitch was Stringer's priority.
"For me it's still about playing rugby. I still have that ambition and drive to play at the highest level," said Stringer, who enjoyed a similar loan spell under Gold at Newcastle Falcons last season.
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"You can do all the training you want during the week but unless you get a run out at the weekend you get frustrated.
"That's one of the reasons I was looking to go out on loan somewhere and thankfully Bath came up with that opportunity to play.
"I was in touch with Gary and he was keen to get me over once they knew they had an injury.
"It's great when a coach who you've worked with before does that. He was very positive about getting me over here, which gives the confidence a boost as well."
Bath had been on the back foot throughout the first half at The Rec but Stringer's introduction for the injured Mark McMillan two minutes before the break turned the game around.
The home side got to the interval level before taking control in the second half, courtesy of Stringer's double.
"We know Exeter are a side that like to play from anywhere and they are a serious threat with ball in hand if you don't defend properly," added Stringer.
"I think everyone knew what we had to do. We had to keep the ball and starve them of possession.
"We did that way better in the second half. We kept them pinned back in their 22 and were more patient with the ball.
"That's all it needed – a bit of coolness, calm heads and to be patient when we got into their zones to make sure we came away with points."
Comments
by Proud2beBath
Monday, January 28 2013, 6:04PM
“His class was evident, but it could have been so different if Exeter had finished their chances! OK we defended well (for the most part) but if it were not for 'that' forward pass in the first half, with a gaping hole in Bath's defence, things could have been very different. More luck than judgement Bath and just shows why we need a quality scrum half to replace Claassens!”