Sale head coach Mike Brewer criticised his side's tackling after Bath won 32-16 at the Recreation Ground.
Bath run in four tries to crush visitors
Sale head coach Mike Brewer criticised his side's defence after Bath scored a late bonus-point try to win 32-16 at the Recreation Ground.
Bath's impressive home record against the Sharks continued and their day was made even better when young centre Ben Williams stepped off the bench to touch down late on a claim the bonus point for his side.
Sale were left to reflect on another Aviva Premiership reverse at the Recreation Ground - they have won just once in their past nine trips to Bath - and Brewer was left fuming with his team's defence.
"We got what we deserved," said the former All Black, who was brought in during the summer to revive the Sharks' fortunes.
"If individuals go out on to the field and they're not committed and haven't got the attitude to tackle then at this level the opposition will run through you.
Riot act
"The first two tries that Bath scored were down to two incredibly poor missed tackles. I certainly read them the riot act at half-time and they turned it around but, in all honesty, we played like we trained during the week.
"There was not enough intensity, not enough accuracy.
"I was just incredibly disappointed. There's no substitute for attitude and it doesn't matter what defensive system you work from, at the end of the day, the tackle is king.
"If you are not prepared to make a tackle then it doesn't matter how long you train and how hard. Defence is 90 percent attitude."
Bath head coach Steve Meehan was not entirely satisfied with his side's showing either, saying: "We are not playing anywhere near as well as we can. But they'll grow in confidence from this result and we'll be even more positive on Friday night against Gloucester."
Meehan was pleased with the showing of Tom Biggs on the left wing.
"That's certainly the best display we've seen from him in a Bath jersey," he said.
"We've been wanting him to trust himself and back his speed. That's why we got him down here. Today he showed the home supporters the kind of player he is."
Strapping
He also indicated that Williams might see action in the Heineken Cup campaign.
"He's a big, strapping young bloke - I didn't know how big until I saw him standing next to Shontayne (Hape) in the dressing room today," he added.
"He'll see a lot more time in a Bath shirt and I'd be happy to take him away and start him in some of these European matches. He's a quality player."
Meehan revealed he expected David Flatman, David Wilson and Matt Banahan to be available for selection against Gloucester.
