Bath
The Way We Were
Vesty downs Alesana
By Ed Scott
March 9 2012
If you looked at the fixture this Friday, you'd be forgiven if you felt you were in a time warp. Bath v Leicester in the semi-finals of the English (ok, and Welsh!) knockout cup could be a scene plucked out of the late 80s or early 90s. I can't recall the two teams ever meeting in the semi-finals of the John Player/Pilkington Cup (quick look through the back of "After the Lemons" needed!) but the match still has the same charm about it for me. (NB - I've not had a chance to check that fact, so happy to be corrected!)
Sadly the competition has lost some of the kudos that it once had, but for these two teams, this is a game that really does mean something. Leicester are still in a good position for the Premiership, but when silverware is in sight, you could bet your life that they will come out all guns blazing. This is a team that has never entered anything with less than 100% commitment, especially when it comes to a clash with Bath.
Last weekend must have put a smile on all our faces. After a shaky start, Bath cruised to a bonus point victory over Worcester at the Rec, on a day seemingly designed for running rugby. It wasn't the perfect performance, but it was one of our best displays this season and more evidence of the team finally moving in the right direction. Pleasing for me was the foundation set by the pack and the dominance of the lineout, two areas where the doubters felt we would suffer considerably.
The Warriors at home on a sunny Saturday afternoon is one thing, but the Tigers on a Friday night is another. I can't help but feel that the conditions may suit the rumbling Leicester pack rather than the running and off-loading of Bath. That's not to say that Leicester are incapable of throwing the ball around, simply that dry daytime weather is better suited to our strengths. Leicester have only had a five day turnaround from the Gloucester game so various players have been moved to the bench or rested. We know that Richard Cockerill has said their focus is the Premiership, but they have so many quality options that even with players not in the squad, we are playing against a very dangerous team.
I can't help but feel that the LV Cup has been something of a saving grace for Bath this year, an ironic fact considering the bashing we have all given it over the last few seasons. This is not just because of the chance of silverware or the place in Europe (both clearly highly important) but because the wins have come at a time when confidence has been at a real low. Bath have been able to build on these performances, and although against often weakened teams, we have put in the knife and finished things off in style rather than stumbling to clumsy victories. I feel the impetus has spurred us on to performing far more effectively in the Premiership, with the wins against Irish and Exeter (total contrasts in many ways) a sign that we are not a lower tier team.
Much is bound to be made in the build up of this game about the fact that Bath are at full strength (of those fit to play) and Leicester are not. The view is that if they sent their "first" team to Bath we couldn't win. I simply don't agree. Leicester lost 19-11 away to Exeter a few weeks ago with almost their first choice line up; a team which included Manu Tuilagi and Toby Flood. A few weeks later Bath themselves produced a hard fought win at Sandy Park. Ultimately, Bath (and their supporters!) need to forget about the names on the teamsheet and focus on what's in front of them, as there are no reasons to 'expect' a result either way.
With Toby Flood rested, the highly rated George Ford will play fly half, producing a potentially mouth watering clash with our own prospect, Tom Heathcote. Both back rows focus will undoubtedly be to hassle their opposing young tens into mistakes. Although Ford has more first team and U20s experience than Heathcote over all, Tom has the advantage of a couple of years in age, as well as more first team game time this season. It should be great to watch.
I was expecting Thomas Waldrom to be smashing into the Bath defence tomorrow, but he instead sits on a bench which also includes the likes of Julian Salvi, Matt Smith and Marcos Ayerza. One thing is for sure, if we're not up by the time these guys come on, it's going to be a tough finish to the game. The Tigers possess a big backrow and the running talents of Twelvetrees and Agulla in the backs, so Bath cannot afford to do anything but play their hearts out and concentrate at all times.
This game is a huge opportunity for Bath because even with a rotated Leicester squad it will be a real war of attrition. The key once more this week will be whether the pack can deliver the ball quickly and regularly to Claassens in order to release the backs. Up front I am pleased to see Duncan Bell rewarded for his strong performance against Worcester, with Charlie Beech given the huge challenge of handling Julian White in the front row. I've never been a fan of White, but one thing he can do is scrummage so Beech is going to need all the strength and guile that he can find to match him. The battle between Mears and Hawkins will be an interesting one, with Hawkins probably hoping to spend a bit more time on the field than he did in the LV Cup meeting last season!
In some ways it's a shame not to see a full game of Salvi vs Louw, but from a Bath perspective, a fast game will suit our backrow in particular, with Craig Newby more of a ball carrier than a fetcher. Steve Mafi has been immense for Leicester of late however so it's time for Simon Taylor to pop in a couple of his big hits and nullify the impact of the big Tongan. At scrum half Grindal is a fine player to have as your third choice, but I believe he is more likely to struggle when targeted than perhaps George Ford will be. If Claassens and Louw can pressurise him then they could make things very difficult for the Tiger backs.
It's great to see that Bath can name an unchanged team this week and I really hope they carry the momentum from the Worcester game into this clash. The chance of a cup final is just reward, not only for the fans, but the players who have clearly worked so hard to improve. Now it's just the small hurdle of Leicester to go......Personally though, I wouldn't want it any other way.
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Discussion started by BathRugbyEre.co.uk , 09/03/2012 09:54
BathRugbyEre.co.uk
09/03/2012 09:54
09/03/2012 09:54
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:03:10:14:55:27 by Susanne.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:03:10:14:55:27 by Susanne.
I hope Bath progress and give all us supporters something to look forward to - ideally a Rag Doll encounter with Llanelli!
Tigers have had a transformation in performance and attitude since, and probably because of the loss at Exeter. If that carries through to the reserves that we have tonight Bath will find it very very difficult. If it doesn't, Bath's in form first string should win I think.
I think TITB the context of some of the preview is missed as my point about the Exeter game was aimed at those pessimists on the board who believe that Bath could NEVER beat the Tigers team from last weekend.
Now I'm not saying that Bath WOULD win that game, but especially at home if we played to our potential I think we could be in with a shot.
The Exeter game was an example of the fact that almost any team can beat another in this league and then lose to someone else the week after. Saracens losing to Worcester and then beating Northampton is a perfect example of this.
I'm just looking for a bit more faith essentially!
Now I'm not saying that Bath WOULD win that game, but especially at home if we played to our potential I think we could be in with a shot.
The Exeter game was an example of the fact that almost any team can beat another in this league and then lose to someone else the week after. Saracens losing to Worcester and then beating Northampton is a perfect example of this.
I'm just looking for a bit more faith essentially!
Agree with that T=L. There are a number on here who seem to think that we just have to turn up to lose.
5th April 1986 Leicester 6 Bath 10. John Player Cup Semi-Final. Simon Halliday scored the only try of the afternoon. Two Stuart Barnes penalties. Fantastic day!
Nice one. Some things haven't changed. Leicester's scrum half was a Youngs then too!
Quote:Tiger in the Bath
Tigers have had a transformation in performance and attitude since, and probably because of the loss at Exeter. If that carries through to the reserves that we have tonight Bath will find it very very difficult. If it doesn't, Bath's in form first string should win I think.
Look forward to the match and seeing you in your Bath Shirt on the 18th at Sixways!!!
BTW on the fixture list it's Bath 1st v Leicester 1st.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:03:09:13:42:07 by pingg5.
Click the pyramids (or are they mountains) icon in the message box. Insert an URL with the .jpg or .gif image. The image has to be on the internet e.g flickr etc!
Quote:Old Egg Chaser
How do I post a picture?
Bubble wrap, strong brown paper, plenty of string and a shed load of stamps!
thanks CC
I scanned a couple of pictures of the Bath v Leicester 1986 semi final, from the program of the 1986 final. Looks like I cannot post them on here
Bod
Is that the missing Turner from the Tate your wrapping!
I scanned a couple of pictures of the Bath v Leicester 1986 semi final, from the program of the 1986 final. Looks like I cannot post them on here
Bod
Is that the missing Turner from the Tate your wrapping!
OEC
You need to upload them on the net e.g. picasa, flckr or some other host then point the link to the URL where the images are.
You need to upload them on the net e.g. picasa, flckr or some other host then point the link to the URL where the images are.
Another happy memory from the season of our last semi-final meeting with Leicester, our regular Welford Road fixture the previous September when we inflicted one of the heaviest defeats in Tigers history beating them 15-40. Our team that day Martin, Trick, Palmer, Halliday, Trevaskis, Barnes, Hill, Chilcott, Bess, Sole, Morison, Redman, Hall, Simpson and Egerton. Too good on the day for the likes of Hare, Dodge, Woodward, Youngs, Wheeler and one Dean Richards!
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