By RtR
November 17 2004

The mid point of the ZP season draws near (already!), its round 10 of the ZP, and this weeks visitors to Headingley are Bath, on Friday night at 7:45pm. Bath are above the Tykes in the table, but only just - the gap is only 5 points.

Bath were to some extent the surprise package of the ZP last season, finishing on top of the table, and missing out to Wasps in the ZP final. That Bath were the surprise package by finishing so high is a reflection of the depths to which a once great club had sunk on the pitch. Remember that they only just avoided the potential disaster of dropping out of the ZP altogether two seasons ago.

But under the guidance of coach John Connolly, Bath took full advantage of last seasons WC interruption, and fashioned a side of seasoned pros and exciting new blood. Bath had two visits to Headingely last season, winning the first (league) encounter at a canter, as their big pack, with the likes of journeymen pros Rob Fidler and Duncan Bell in the front 5, pummelled a lightweight Tykes unit to take the honours - both sides were depleted by WC call ups that day.

However, revenge was to be the Tykes, as they won a Powergen cup Quarterfinal at Headingley later that season. The Bath side that day was lacklustre, and contained many of their World Cup returnees - this star-studded side appeared much less proficient than its less heralded brother at the start of the year.

In the other two Headingley encounters from previous seasons, the Tykes won both times, including a memorable victory in the Tykes first ever ZP game.

So, what price a Tykes victory on Friday? Where will the key battles be fought?

It is an old rugby wisdom that forwards win matches, and backs decide by how much. Bath will be without their engine room, with Grewcock and Borthwick on England duty, but have able deputies in the likes of Fidler. There is rumour of a front row crisis in Bath too, but your humble author has few details, other than the absence of David Flatman. The backrow is an effective unit, with ex-Tyke Zac Feaunati likely to be on duty, in addition to No7 Lipman, who has been heralded as the future of English open side play. So, it's difficult to know what to make of a pack who will be weakened. The only form guide here is that this Bath unit dominated an understrength Sale 8 last week.

The Tykes pack as been inconsistent at best this year, but is still a superior unit to last year. The lineout has dramatically improved in recent games, and the Tykes faithful will be hoping that Rayno Gerber can provide solidity in the front row - the scrum has been creaky this year, and Bath will look to attack here. Backrow competition is fierce, but it is arguable that Phil Davies does not yet know his best combinations here. You author suggests that (if fit) Dan Hyde should play, as he remains the closest thing the Tykes have to a genuine openside.

The forward battle will be closely fought, with the potential two packs looking quite evenly matched.

The battle of the backs will be close too. Snyman and Bell will look to recapture the form they showed against the Saints, but will need quality service from the half backs to be able to do so. Bath are likely to field Matt Perry, once rumoured to be a Tykes target at 15, and have pace out wide with Brendon Daniel and new SA boy Frikkie Welsh. For the Tykes, the extent of Ian Balshaws injury is unclear, and we have yet to see the best of Tim Stimpson at 15, so the backs still have plenty to prove.

The main problem for the Tykes will be at flyhalf - Ross will be on Scotland duty, Hodge is long term injured, and new signing Gareth Wright broke his nose last week, so who will play at 10 is not yet clear. Forwards may win matches, but only if there is control at flyhalf. The Tykes territorial game needs to improve if they are to continue their reasonable start to the season.

In the opinion of your humble author, the game is a close one to call. Bath may start as marginal favourites, but if the Tykes can get the set pieces working well, and get some control at the problem half-back area, another home win could be possible. With plenty of ex-Bath men in the Tykes set-up, there will be plenty of motivation to do just that.

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