Rugby Union: Gouging denied by Bath

AFTER a meeting that lasted five hours at the Recreation Ground yesterday afternoon, which should at least help to avoid accusations of them not taking the affair seriously, Bath denied claims by Harlequins of eye-gouging and biting in last weekend's Courage league match at The Stoop.

It was Troy Coker, the Australian lock, who complained about damage to an eye and Rob Glenister, the scrum-half, who said that he had been bitten on a finger. Jamie Salmon, the Quins general manager, then sent Bath a letter and asked the club to study a video.

John Hall, the Bath captain, was one of those present yesterday with officials to watch the BBC 2 Rugby Special film and afterwards the club stated: 'Bath officials and senior players have examined the video sent to us by Harlequins. As a result of our investigations, we have no evidence that any foul play took place. We have explored every possible angle about the allegations and can add nothing further.'

After hearing that Bath's view of events at The Stoop differed from theirs, Colin Herridge, the Quins secretary, said that the matter was now being dropped: 'We asked Bath to watch the tape. They have done that. We have no further comment to make.'

Reports and results, page 28