Match Preview - Will the Mighty Fall?


By Ed Scott
November 4 2011

On Saturday Bath play host to the unbeaten Harlequins in round eight of the Aviva Premiership. Although far from a season defining moment, we cannot escape the fact that this is a huge game; not only in respect of points in the table, but the fact that it's a key opportunity to put down a marker for success in this competition.

On Saturday Bath play host to the unbeaten Harlequins in round eight of the Aviva Premiership. Although far from a season defining moment, we cannot escape the fact that this is a huge game; not only in respect of points in the table, but the fact that it's a key opportunity to put down a marker for success in this competition.
 
Last weekend we were treated to another stressful one point victory at the Madejski Stadium. This time it was a 78th minute penalty kick to secure the win, but my did we try hard to still lose in those last two minutes! I was going nothing short of spare at the end. I swear supporting Bath over the years is going to shorten my life! The parallels between this game and the fixture last season are there to see, but the facts are that a win on the road against a top six side is a good sign moving forward.
 
Concerns over our scrummage continue, but I felt that we didn't always get the rub of the green in this area. I worry that we have developed a reputation of having a weaker scrum and therefore officials are looking more closely then they may do to other sides. I'm not saying that we were unfairly treated all game, after all, we won a penalty at the death from a scrum, but I believe that it's an area so open to interpretation, if a referee gets it into his mind that we are struggling, then as soon at it hits the deck the decision is only going to go one way.
 
Against Harlequins, we cannot afford to give away stupid penalties or take any backward steps up front. They are consistent all over the park, with the genius of Nick Evans running the show at fly-half. Quins have had a team of youngsters over the last few years who they have chosen to trust and allowed to develop. With the odd experienced campaigner such as Nick Easter tying them together. They are a group of players greater than the sum of their parts and are no longer a team wet behind the ears, but a savvy, slick outfit who play a good variety of rugby.
 
This is not to say that we've no chance on the weekend, just that we will need to play for the full 80 minutes and ensure that we take our chances. My major disappointment is the number of first choice players we still have missing. Olly Barkley is not quite ready yet and Stephen Donald only arrives this week. Carl Fearns is definitely still out, with Biggs, Banahan, Louw, Moody, Williams and Heathcote all considerable injury doubts. It is fair to say that this weekend could very much determine how much strength and depth there is in our current squad.
 
I'm not sure what to expect from the game, but know that our defence is the best in the Premiership (least tries conceded) and hopefully home advantage will really count. we need to play an attacking brand of rugby and get Quins defending rather than absorbing pressure. I believe if we allow them too much ball they are highly capable of breaking through. One thing is for sure, this should be a great battle and I for one can't wait for it to commence.

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Match Preview - Will the Mighty Fall?
Discussion started by BathRugbyEre.co.uk , 04/11/2011 19:10
BathRugbyEre.co.uk
04/11/2011 19:10
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:11:07:09:28:10 by Glen The Ed.

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hamptons
04/11/2011 20:07
what's happened to Matt Banahan? not in the starters or the bench? injury?

Other than that we have our best hope. I trust problems kicking and @#$%& have been resolved otherwise Evans will take advantage.

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TallRugbyGirl
05/11/2011 10:07
On honeymoon in Malta apparently.

http://i32.tinypic.com/wswoqp.jpghttp://i19.tinypic.com/5xemudv.gif

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Peasedown Exile
05/11/2011 16:52
No they will not.

http://i46.tinypic.com/p3b4x.jpghttp://i47.tinypic.com/3354bvb.jpg

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