By Glen Leat
October 18 2009

Bath Rugby effectively ruled themselves out of this year's European Cup with a second consecutive defeat, this time 27-29 to Stade Francais, at the Rec. No team has ever gone on to qualify from the pool stages after losing both their opening games so it looks like being a long old season for the wrong reasons.

What the ****! For the first time in many a long time I actually swore out loud at a rugby game in frustration at how Bath once again threw away a great chance of bringing home the spoils. With just over two minutes of the game remaining, one point ahead and holding possession all Bath had to do was drive forward to run down the clock and take a well deserved victory. However this is the Bath team that likes to frustrate its supporters. If ever there were a group of players seemingly incapable of keeping control at the death of a match, we have them. On this occasion Nicky Little attempted a a ludicrously unnecessary drop at goal and was easily charged down. Bath regained possession but because they were not in a position to organise their next drive the referee penalised them for holding the ball for two long. A straightforward penalty kick for Dupuy grabbed the game for Stade and we all trudged off into the watery sunshine with slumped shoulders and heavy heart.

You do not have to be a professional coach or player to understand the concept of closing out a game. Every other team I know, including those of a Junior nature from around the City know how to do this so why can't our highly paid professionals? They gave us a clue as to their mindset at the end of the first half when, instead of ending the half after snuffing out a Stade attack by kicking the ball in to the crowd, they counter-attacked and then lost the ball which meant another Herculean defensive effort was required to stop the visitors from scoring. In American Football they have completely separate tactics for the final two minutes of a game and it appears to this observer that Bath Rugby need a similar approach.

Bath generally played really well in the first half, scoring two tries and enjoying a 21-12 lead at the break, but they should have built on that position throughout the second forty minutes but instead allowed Stade to chip away at their lead through a series of penalties. Bath's great success in the first forty minutes stemmed from their approach, keeping possession and attacking with purpose and pace: it was exciting to watch and appeared to be the style of play that suits the players. I love it but I also want to win. No we don't need to return to the days of John Connolly but a bit more pragmatism is required.

Bath's attacking play kept Stade continuously on the back foot and some of our running out of defence was exhilarating. The pack played well, stealing French ball on several occasions at rucks and lineout and I still can't believe that we've come out second best. There were times when the Stade bench looked really worried as they appeared to struggle to halt the Bath attacking plays and the stunned looks on their faces when they stole victory  at the end said it all.

Things changed in the second half, with Stade intensifying the physicality of their play and giving Bath less time to run at them. This forced more of the dreaded kicks up-field which set up far more French counter-attacks than had been seen in the first half. What I don't understand is that when Bath are forced to clear their lines we seem to have more success when hitting touch. This tactic ensures the opposition is forced to re-group and lose momentum so why don't we do this more often? Our clearance kicks seemed to seek out as many opposition catchers as the Somerset batsmen earlier in the day. Let's understand the reality of modern rugby, there is not very much space in to which to kick the ball so why do it time after time?

The Bath backs looked strong and fit and countless time they were just one snagged tackle away from breaking through the Stade defence. Not withstanding the drop-kick debacle at the end, I thought Nicky Little played really well and his place kicking is as reliable as we used to enjoy through Olly Barkley. I still see Nick Abendanon as Bath's weak link in the backs, I can't explain why but he just looks lost and Joe Maddock also looks to have lost the confidence that made him such a special player last year. If  I were Steve Meehan I'd take Bendy down to the Rec on Monday and explain to him the concept of touchlines - get the effing ball out for Gawds sake!

Like most Bath fans I can't wait for the return of Butch and Olly and welcoming Luke Watson to the Rec. Unfortunately we may be out of the reckoning of any sort of silverware by the time they start playing..

Today I was joined at the Rec by my oldest friend, Kevin, who's never been to a club match like this before and he really enjoyed the game, the atmosphere and the surroundings. The beautiful hills and honey-stoned buildings as a backdrop, blue sky and hot air balloons to provide more colour is a wonderful environment in which to enjoy a Sunday afternoon but I'd give this all up for a piece of contaminated land down river if only we could win the games we dominate.

Can I be bothered to watch the recording on my Sky-Plus box? Hmmm, not sure, there is only so much frustration I can take in a day.

Steve Meehan - pin this picture on the dressing room wall as a reminder to all the players of what happens when they don't manage out a game!

Bath: Abendanon; Maddock, Carraro, Hape, Banahan; Little, Claassens; Flatman, Dixon, Bell, Hooper, Grewcock, Faamatuainu, Salvi, Skirving.
Replacements: Cuthbert for Maddock (77), Barnes for Flatman (69), Hawkins for Dixon (60), Wilson for Bell (60), Short for Grewcock (77), Cracknell for Faamatuainu (70).
Not Used: Bemand, Davis.

Sin Bin: Banahan (53).

Stade Francais: Southwell; Arias, Bousses, Messina, Gasnier; Beauxis, Dupuy; Roncero, Szarzewski, Attoub, Palmer, Pape, Haskell, Rabadan, Parisse.
Replacements: Phillips for Arias (50), M Bergamasco for Messina (30), Blin for Szarzewski (67), Gerber for Attoub (55), Kayser for Rabadan (50).
Not Used: Weber, Marchois, Oelschig.

Sin Bin: Pape (44).

Att: 11,700

Ref: George Clancy (IRFU).