By Andy Dowthwaite
August 27 2011

Very amusing choice of half time music as we stood on the terrace in a torrential downpour, that started just before kick-off, and continued throughout the game. No flowing try fest here, like the 50 point run out the United team delivered (Belly popping up at fly half to feed Nick Scott for a try) in the earlier game, rather this was destined to be a mistake riddled slog dominated by whoever had the better kicking game.

Bath fielded a squad about as strong as we could muster given international call ups and early season injuries, though with a number of first choice players on the bench. This would however give starts to Nathan Catt, the Kane Train, Will Spencer (a giant of the game) in the second row and a few of the new boys Ryan Caldwell, Carl Ferns and Dan Hipkiss with Dave Attwood putting in a brief cameo in the first half.

The early part of the game reflected a series of errors from both sides. Bath started with better possession, but were too ambitious with ball in hand and in these conditions gifted a lot of possession to Bristol. Both sides traded penalties in a period that saw Bristol gain confidence and frankly dominance. The pressure caused Bath to give away a number of penalties and rather than kick for goal Bristol chose a line out and were held up just short. At the next penalty they chose to scrum and had enough control for Mariano Sambucetti to score, which Roberts converted. 6 – 13 to Bristol and not against the run of play.

As if stung by this reverse Bath were much more direct and played a straighter attacking game, driving up field. Copying Bristol we chose a line out from a penalty and from the drive that followed Carl Ferns drove over for the try. Paul Roberts, on for Sam Vesty due to a blood injury (thought it was Moody leaving the pitch, blond hair heavily tinted by blood red) missed the difficult conversion (he kicked well for United) leaving their half time score 11 – 13 to Bristol.

Bath came out strong in the second half but this was soon dissipated by poor kicking and pressure from Bristol in worsening conditions. Their reward was another penalty. This could have been more but a sustained period of pressure close to our line was kept out by some aggressive defence from across the team. A minor concern was defensive organisation with players have to be called into position rather than automatically knowing where to stand, however, this was minor as a lot of individual Bristol runners were met with co-ordinated two man tackles and around the breakdown we were very strong.

Bath were now taking a more practical approach to attacking. Instead of long miss passes we saw earlier, which were just a disaster (one in particularly to Biggsy stopped a move dead and gave the ball away)  we saw a more direct approach with individual runners taking responsibility and driving forward with two arms securely wrapped around the ball and the back row following up. Nathan Catt had a stand our run and together with Carl Ferns and Dan Hipkiss were much more direct providing better retention and control. Classy chipped in with some better kicks just over the defensive line allowing the back row to pressure Bristol.

This change in tactics was actually reversed by Bristol who decided to run a lot more ball back, and whilst they made some good yards at times, the move inevitably broke down with the ball dropped in terrible conditions. As a result we began to play a lot more rugby in Bristol’s half, Flats and Davey coming on gave the scrum a lot of power allowing Sam to take advantage of Bristol’s mistakes and kick three penalties to give Bath a 20 – 16 lead. Bristol had further chances from a couple of penalties but these were missed and Bath had scraped a messy win in terrible conditions and more importantly kept my winning record intact when I do the match report.

Sam Vesty’s place kicking actually won us the game. On a miserable night for place kicking Sam was perfect whilst Bristol’s replacement kicker missed three kicks late in the game which would have won it for Bristol. This was the difference between humiliation and victory and showed the value of a reliable place kicker. The difference from a couple seasons ago when without Butch we had nothing is marked. We will soon have an embarrassment of reliable kickers with OB1, Sam and Stephen Donald all being very reliable kickers and with better success ratio’s than Butch.

Unfortunately kicking out of hand was very poor and has shown little signs of improvement (Bendy learning OB1’s left foot banana kick excepted). Whilst Bristol’s fly half and full back kicked a lot low skidding diagonal balls into space, we persisted with poor up and unders’ that were too far for chasing runners but too short to gain significant territory. This put us under a lot of pressure, both when defending in trying to collect balls off the floor, generating mistakes and giving Bristol forward momentum, and then in allowing Bristol to attack when we kicked away. Tristan Roberts for Bristol, was the most effective open kicker on the night and well supported by Sean Marsden who had a good long kick. We still need a clearer game plan for wet weather conditions and need to have better tactics when it comes to open field kicking.  

“Do we know what we’re doing, theoretically”. Overall not a good night to draw conclusions for the season ahead but whilst some clear concerns it was good to see the young recent signing s putting in some of the better performances on the night;

Ryan Caldwell – is a lighter second row than some of the others and this allows him to jump quickly in the line. There is a good sharp snap about his line out jumping which when combined with Mearsy’s throwing will make for good clean ball in the middle of the line. Not worried about contact in open play either and fairly mobile.

Carl Ferns – very strong player, aggressive at the breakdown, carries the ball well and has good retention. One run saw him move into space between two defenders, they closed the gap but he still made yards and wrestled out of the tackle to go to ground and lay the ball back.

Dan Hipkiss – little real opportunity but runs straight, stays on his feet and doesn’t give up the ball easily and didn’t miss tackles. Will provide a good target runner from set pieces.

Dave Attwood – had a 20 minute cameo whilst Will Spencer was off the field. A big second row and the obvious replacement for Danny. Didn’t see much line out work but looked mobile and was heavily involved at the ruck.

Will Spencer – big tall second row who didn’t look out of place and certainly adds presence. Adds the fourth second rower to our first team options and given a chance will do well. The perceived gap in second row numbers has someone to fill it. Good to see academy players making the break through.

Josh Ovens – had a full game for Bristol, looked fit and was a threat at the breakdown. One of their better players along with Roberts and Marsden. Will his contract be renewed at the end of the season?

Raindrops keep falling on my head Bath 20 16 Bristol

Discussion started by BathRugbyEre.co.uk , 27/08/2011 12:39

BathRugbyEre.co.uk
27/08/2011 12:39

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:09:01:11:19:08 by Susanne.

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johnnyf
28/08/2011 17:27

Thanks Andy for your report.
Good to hear at least one positive coming out of that game - we may have sufficient 2nd row cover after all !

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Big Five
29/08/2011 16:08

Watched the game lock Will Spencer very strong in the set rucks well good round the park only 19 give this guy game time.

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Peasedown Exile
29/08/2011 19:30

Great report mate. Well done.

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