By Markc (23/10/02)
October 24 2002

The Tykes return to ZPL action this Saturday with a trip to Bath. They will be looking to avenge last season’s dismal 23-12 defeat at the Rec., which was generally reckoned by the travelling Tykes fans to be one of the poorest away performances of the season. The team will be geed up by the 52-13 seven try drubbing which was dished out to Petrarca Padova at Headingley last week.

Bath also easily disposed of their Italian opposition, Parma, last week. Bath turned in a 57-13 win in what was easily their biggest (and only their second) home win of the season, London Irish being the other side to leave the Rec. pointless. Their other two home matches have both finished tied, but the quality of the opposition must not be overlooked as they picked up a point against both Wasps and Gloucester. They also ran Leicester close at Welford Rd too. The West-country men will be strengthened by the return from injury of Matt Perry and Steve Borthwick, and buoyed by the fact that Danny Grewcock has escaped a ban for stamping.

Tykes look to field their strongest team, with two-try Alan Dickens looking to start at scrum-half after an impressive match last week. His co-occupier of the no 9 jersey, Derek Hegarty, is at present the only Leeds injury scare after suffering an ankle injury right at the end of Sunday’s game. In fact, Phil Davies’ selection of both starting line-up and benchwarmers will be very interesting, as other ‘Squad’ members made significant contributions to the Shield match, notably Martin ‘Legs’ O’Keefe, and try-scoring debut-making Hernan Senillosa.

Despite having gained only a solitary ZPL away win at lowly ‘Quins, Leeds must surely look at this fixture as ‘one to win’, and gain face in the West Country after last seasons show.

But this all pales into insignificance, as it will be the first return of Callie and Ronnie to their former home. Surely this on its own will motivate the Tykes to gaining further away success…..