By Olie Mitchell
January 31 2011

After a recent mini-revival picking up wins in the Aviva Premiership and Heineken Cup, Bath Rugby today turned their attention to the slightly less-glamorous LV Cup - a convoluted competition which has numerous fans perplexed at its complicated format. Bath have registered back-to-back wins in the Premiership (albeit unflattering ones) in January against London Irish and Leeds. And despite the loss to Biarritz in the HC, the second-half performance in that game, twinned with the demolition of Italian side Aironi in the same competition the previous week, gave Bath fans cause for optimism going in to this less-anticipated clash.

It could be argued that since its change to the much-maligned Anglo-Welsh competition (and in doing so depriving National League division sides of some large gate receipts and the chance of a giant-killing) the LV Cup has suppressed this country's appetite for a domestic cup competition. However, with the prize of an automatic entry in to Europe's premier club competition on offer, winning the trophy cannot be something to be scoffed at. 

Some of the country's bigger clubs seemingly have a more light-hearted approach when it comes to starting XVs in the LV, and Bath continued their trend of blooding youngsters in this competition by ringing the changes; eleven in all from the side that started at the Parcs Des Sports Aguilera a week before. In came Jacques Boussuge, hoping to repeat some of his fine try-scoring displays in the United team and youngsters Ben Williams, Aaron Jarvis and Josh Ovens were also given their chance to shine. John Van Der Giessen had the opportunity to cap his final game in Bath Rugby colours with a win before heading back across the pond, partnering Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe in the second row. Mark McMillan, Sam Vesty and Ben Skirving were also included in a much changed Bath team. As for the visitors, New Zealand lock Andrew Van Der Heijden looked set for a long-awaited debut, the former Auckland player has been sidelined since November while on duty for his former team. A strong Newcastle team including the likes of Euan Murray, Jimmy Gopperth and former Bath boy James Hudson made it look like the Falcons were 'in it to win it' and a competitive, exciting game looked to be in store.

Unfortunately for us, that prediction proved horribly wrong. Some of Bath's performances this season have tested my resolve and at times made me question whether the 200 mile round trip from Berkshire to the West Country is worth it. This game did little to justify the 4 soul-searching hours spent in the car, with the only comfort being the old sporting cliché - 'a win is a win'.

Bath set the tone for a turgid, error-strewn encounter, complimented by suspect refereeing, from the off. A charged down Nick Abendanon kick gifted Newcastle possession in the opening minutes, and they were quickly awarded a penalty when a Bath player was adjudged to have pulled back Falcons number 12, Tane Tu'ipulotu. Jimmy Gopperth duly converted the penalty for the games first points. 0-3, first blood to Falcons.

The scrum was the main talking point throughout this match, cue grumbles and groans from the discerning Bath faithful. From the off the Falcons props could be seen committing numerous offences in the front row. Driving in sideways, bringing down the scrum and most poignantly continuing to drive when referee Rob Debney had halted play. The latter offence was obvious to all inside the Rec - apart from the man in the middle. Five minutes in and Newcastle loosehead Jon Golding was penalised for bringing down the scrum, 'argie bargie' and 'kisses' were traded before Olly Barkley set about trying to level the scores. Barkley missed the resulting penalty, a mixed day with the boot for the mercurial Bath centre after some impressive place kicking displays.

Both teams were struggling to maintain possession in the early part of this match, with few openings calved out. Seldom was there a game-line broken or an exciting run worth noting, and in trying to rectify this Jacques Boussuge was turned over in the tackle. In the resulting ruck, Bath were penalised and Gopperth had the opportunity with the boot to make it two from two. He dispatched the kick with minimal fuss and made it 6-0 to Newcastle.

All in the West Stand were hoping this would signal a change in Bath's fortunes and kickstart the game in to life. This wasn't quite the case, but we did see some improving phases of play, with some powerful running and vital yards gained from youngster Ben Williams. However, the game was halted shortly after some improving waves of Bath attacks by an unfortunate and serious injury to young openside, Josh Ovens. An innocuous looking ruck left Ovens in a heap on the floor, and there was nearly a 10 minute break in play while the flanker received treatment. Both teams were attempting to keep warm in the bitterly cold conditions with passing exercises while the physio team administered treatment, ironically they were some of the best passages of play we were to witness.

With Ovens leaving the field on a stretcher to a sporting applause, the game recommenced. Luke Watson was Ovens' replacement, a slightly earlier introduction for Bath's outgoing skipper than many perhaps expected. Watson's arrival signalled a change in Bath's fortunes, he offers an energy and presence that is seldom matched, and also a rather unorthodox kicking option. More haphazard scrummaging ensued, this time Bath penalised for collapsing the scrum. Jimmy Gopperth missed the resulting penalty. But then, on 32 minutes the game momentarily sprung in to life. Sam Vesty kicked a penalty kick in to the heart of the Falcons 22. A good, clean line-out followed with a rare glimpse of quick ball from Bath Rugby. After four or five phases, the ball was passed out to the left and after some good work from Lobbe, Watson broke free with a powerful run, teetering on the edge of the sideline. The replacement flanker then passed for prop Aaron Jarvis to go over in the corner, perilously close to being tackled in to touch, no need though for Debney to go to the fourth official. 5-6 to Falcons. Barkley missed the conversion attempt, with the ball hammered against the post. Unlucky, but the general consensus in the stands was that the try would be a platform for Bath to go on and start to play an expansive and adventurous brand of rugby after a lethargic start. Sadly, this was not to be the case.

However, Bath were now on the front foot and just before half-time came the main talking point of the game. Again, Newcastle were guilty of some dubious scrummaging tactics. They were penalised for an infringement in the scrum, continuing to drive forward after the referee's whistle had been blown. This time however, it came with serious consequences. Aaron Jarvis failed to emerge after the players dispersed and stayed down, writhing around clutching his shoulder. Jarvis' unfortunate injury did provide debutant Kane Palmer-Newport with an opportunity to impress in the second half. 

Half-time Bath 5 Newcastle 6

The second-half began in the same nature as the first. More scrappy play with a succession of knock-on's and dubious penalties. And the scrums were still highly contentious, despite the serious injury suffered by Jarvis in the first-half. The first 10-15 minutes produced little in the way of action that was worthy of noting. After Andrew Van Der Heijden replaced Mark Wilson on 55 minutes, Bath found themselves camped on Newcastle's line after a good break from Mark McMillan. The scrum-half justified his selection with a solid passing game and his ingenuity created Bath's best passage of play in the second-half. Finally, a ruck on the Newcastle line saw their ill-discipline finally punished by referee Debney. Euan Murray was sin-binned for an illegal move in the ruck, and was deservedly given a ten minute 'cooling down' period. He could have had little complaints. 

With Newcastle down to 14, it seemed Bath were destined to score having been camped on the Falcons try line for some time. On the contrary, Bath sloppily surrendered possession. Turn over ball that was cleared by scrum-half Dickson, and after a sustained period of pressure Bath had nothing to show for their endeavours.

The pace-laden Bath back three of Abendanon, Biggs and Boussuge had little chance to shine, but were getting more than their fair share of the rough stuff. Bobo put a bone-crunching hit on Biggs, moments before Nick Abendanon was callously taken out by...the fourth official. A cynical foul that sent the full-back into the advertising hoardings, went unpunished by Debney. It was nice to see the assistant finally get involved in the game however. This moment was a ray of light and a welcome distraction from the excruciatingly dull rugby we were forced to endure.

On 60 minutes Olly Barkley missed a penalty that would have seen Bath take the lead for the first time in the match. A woeful effort that fell well-short was representative of the game as a whole. Euan Murray was released from the naughty chair and allowed back on to the field of play, and the evergreen Danny Grewcock replaced Lobbe making an immediate impact in the line-out.

With 68 minutes gone, Bath finally took advantage of all the possession they had been enjoying. Falcons were pinged for an infringement in the maul, and Barkley atoned for his earlier miss by making the score 8-6.

Newcastle offered little in the way of attacking rugby. Their best chance of a try came from a move started by Tait at full-back that went down the left-wing. Gcobani Bobo's probing break was thwarted by indecisiveness in the Falcons back-line. A penalty to Bath for crossing summed up Newcastle's day.

A physical performance by the young centre was epitomised by a big hit, and moments later Bath fans witnessed an all too brief glimpse of Jacques Boussuge's pace, set free after an initial Nick Abendanon break. Bath came agonisingly close to the line and after good pressure from resulting penalties, spurned possession once again as they were penalised for accidental offside. If ever we needed a moment to summarise Bath's frustrations today, that was it.

Barkley added a penalty moments from the end after Newcastle conceded a penalty for yet another illegal act in the scrum. 11-6, and the game was now almost safe. Bath only 2 minutes away from ensuring they remained in the LV cup. The remainder of the game caused Bath fans some worry, after Falcons put together a few encourages phases of play. Somewhat inevitably, Newcastle ended the game with an unforced error. Another act of sloppy play, this time a knock on put an end to the dross as the referee blew for full-time. 

A freezing cold day in the West Country, Bath failed to turn up the heat and play the scintillating brand of rugby they have been known to play. With the herd of supporters quickly heading for the exits, listening to the barely audible post-match interview with Man of the Match Mark McMillan it was evident that this wasn't a game that would live long in the memory. I could almost be heard thinking that old sporting cliché, 'a win is a win...a win is a win.'