By A Guest Writer
October 16 2011

Rather understandably I waited until I knew the RWC semi finalists before booking the trip to Rodney Parade, the prospect of a trip to Wales after a RWC semi between the two nations was, well you work it out!

Newport must have a terrible crime rate as I had to negotiate around several groups of unsteady males in blood red shirts all complaining they had been robbed that morning!!

For those of you who remember Rodney Parade as a working mans Recreation Ground, the news is that ground improvements have delivered a fantastic new stand; unfortunately the RWC had left the stand rather empty. A small group of Bath supporters sat around us and I thought such a pity more had not made the effort

(Train fare from West Wilts plus tickets = £80 was a bargain)

I had no idea how strong the NGD team selection was however after-match research suggests the backs were mostly first team and the forwards were a mixture of bench and development players.

Bath was dominant throughout the game. First try - controlled possession through a number of phases led to the first try early in the game, excellent handling skills from the backs engineered an Ollie Woodburn try in the corner, which marked an impressive display from the young man.

Banners next up - breaks the line and the steps/swerves two defenders for a try under the posts, Banners at his best. He was playing at 12 and I thought he played really well, always looked dangerous and his physicality brings so much to the game, especially at the breakdown, where his previous life as a second row shows.

Lucky breakaway try to NGD, Bath nearly charge down a clearance kick and superfast Chavhanga gathers for a try under the posts.

Try number three for Bath, scrum on their 22, Biggs clearly shouts the play, a “training ground move” with Cuthbert joining the line creates the overlap and Biggs in at the left hand corner.

Score is Bath 17 (3T 1C) to NGD 13 (1T 1C 2P). Despite the score line Bath are by far the team in ascendance, they look capable of scoring tries at every visit to the NGD half.

30 minutes into the first half and a promising attack by Bath on the NGD 22 ends with an injury to Mark McMillan. We now know Mark is fine, however it is one of those injuries that always leaves one reflective on the dangers of the game. Cook on for McMillan, who had had an excellent game so far. Get well soon Mark.

Understandably the game became a little stunted until half time, which came 60 minutes after it started.

Second half was Bath, Bath, Bath (without the Allez Allez Allez out of respect).

Second half tries for Carraro, Spencer, Cuthbert, Perenise sealed a job well done.

Spencer did well for his try, superb backing up after some fast recycling , he broke though to sprint from the 22m line for a try to cap a very impressive display. Good hands, physical presence, mobile and looking a really good prospect.

Cuthbert’s and Carraro’s try I will not comment on as I cannot remember the build up etc. However both had a good game and Cuthbert was impressive at full back. Carried well and made some good counter attacks.

Both sides made a host of changes and the most expectant from Bath was when Mr A Perenise came on. A really disappointing 20 minutes from Mr P, I know he scored a try and, yes, he did some serious damage to their scrum, but honestly is that all he has to offer!!

Please do not blame the opposition; this was a very good performance from Bath.

Bath Slay the Dragons

Discussion started by BathRugbyEre.co.uk , 16/10/2011 14:35

BathRugbyEre.co.uk
16/10/2011 14:35

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:10:23:08:48:44 by Glen The Ed.

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abendanon-anon-anon
16/10/2011 18:31

Can't wait to see impact of Perenise and Louw for myself

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BBandW
16/10/2011 18:58

Great report thanks.

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Peasedown Exile
16/10/2011 20:33

Thanks for the report mate.

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Go on my sonner
17/10/2011 08:56

Did anyone else watch the highlights programme on ITV4 to see no highlights of this match at all, merely a read out result!
Slightly dissapointing to say the least!

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Mike-s
17/10/2011 09:41

the highlights show seemed to concentrate too much on one match (30 mins almost) to allow highlights of others , disgusting !
think thered be a case of trade discriptions in any other walk of life ?

COME ON YOU BATH
!!!!!!!
BATH, BATH, WHEREVER WE MAY BE WE ARE THE BOYS FROM THE WEST COUNTRY , AND WE'LL BEAT YOU ALL WHOEVER YOU MAY BE , BEAT YOU ALL FOR THE WEST COUNTRY !
Mike-s, in exile in Bridgwater

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Banahanfan
17/10/2011 10:08

First post! My wife and I had a great trip from Poole in Dorset to Rodney parade to see the team trounce NGD. Very friendly staff at the ground I thought and yes I agree shame there wasn't a few more in Black, white and Blue but at least there was a decent turnout for the lads.

Shame about the 'highlights' too anyway back to the Rec now for Worcester.

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TallRugbyGirl
17/10/2011 10:09

Welcome to ERE Steve!

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Banahanfan
17/10/2011 10:16

Thankyou very much indeed. We (my wife and I) have only started watching Bath this season but we are now season ticket holders and we make the journey from Poole (Dorset) to the Rec or even the away games most weeks whenever shifts permit. We are so impressed with the whole Bath setup and love it to bits!

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marshie10
17/10/2011 11:02

Steve, what brought you to Bath? Have you always followed them but only recently started watching? I'm also from Dorset, we are starved of a top team (Bournemouth are not bad), but this is not a bad thing as I absolutely love watching Bath!

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LittleMissBath
17/10/2011 11:52

Welcome Steve A fellow Poole person yay!

Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done.

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Dorset Boy
17/10/2011 12:43

Marshie - Bournemouth might be an alright team, but the club has a serious attitude problem with regard to people crossing the "hallowed" turf of their 1st XV pitch or allowing anyone other the 1st XV to use it!

Fortunately there are plenty of really good clubs in Dorset, Wilts and Somerset.

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marshie10
17/10/2011 12:49

DB, I think that comes with the territory of the area, I've always found B'mouth a bit nouveau and unwelcoming.

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sid the seagull
17/10/2011 13:05

Dear Guest Writer,

Being a simple and GULLible creature, fear my irony detector may be on the blink. So did Anthony the Samoan look good to you?
best wishes,
Sid.

PECK

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Banahanfan
17/10/2011 13:59

Hello,

Well I agree I have Bournemouth and also Swanage & Wareham to watch but nothing can beat the atmosphere of the REC!! My wife incidentally was really keen to watch some 'proper' Rugby so we booked tickets for the Saracens game and we now have the bug and can't leave!!
Besides we often came to Bath for trip's out during the year and we always wanted to watch Rugby at the ground and now we have we aren't leaving!! We use the train for each game and make a day out of it. We are that keen that we are staying the weekend of the Montpellier game in a very nice hotel as it is our 10 year wedding Anniversary!!
Cheers

* Loyal 'Bath Rugby' season
ticket holder from Darzet

* Ollie Woodburn - Adopted Player: 2012/13
* Carl Ferns - Adopted Player: 2014/15
* Jonathan Evans - Adopted Player: 2015/16

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Sam Y
17/10/2011 14:23

Welcome Steve 47005, I always thought Wimborne RFC were a decent side, they are down that way? I know that they have a very good mini/youth set up and we always had good games against them when my son used to play. Ben Williams live's in Poole does'nt he according to his profile!!

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marshie10
17/10/2011 14:29

Ben Williams does indeed come from Poole, although he does now live in Bath. He actually also used to play for Wimborne when he was younger.

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Sam Y
17/10/2011 14:44

Marshie, yeah he used to play against us at Salisbury and he was a real talent then and so was his Wimborne side as well!!

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marshie10
17/10/2011 14:48

Sam, I used to have to tackle him in training at school, not in any way fun. He was almost as big at school as he is now!

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Dorset Boy
17/10/2011 15:03

didn't he get a Bryanston scholarship or am I mistaken?

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marshie10
17/10/2011 15:07

He did yes, he came when he was 14 (so a year late). Most of the rugby scholars come for 6th form but Ben came for four years.

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Sam Y
17/10/2011 15:07

Marshie, I can recall that Wimborne had a terrific backline that all went to the same school as Ben, a very good srum half and fly half? What happened to them do you know?

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marshie10
17/10/2011 15:15

Henry Pyrgos (the scrum half) now plays for Glasgow, he often starts. The fly half may have been Guy Ridley, he didn't take rugby much further, I think he is at uni doing medicine. Ted Stagg played in that Wimborne side, he was in our Academy (he may still be).

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Sam Y
17/10/2011 15:27

Thanks for that info Marshie!!

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marshie10
17/10/2011 15:29

Not at all. Hopefully Ben will be back on the field soon, he's getting better with each performance. Sometimes he drifts out to the wing but I think that will decrease when he gets more confident. He makes good yards on the crash ball which is a big bonus but I hope that the club don't just use him as a crash ball man, he's better than that.

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retired
17/10/2011 17:14

Quote:

sid the seagull
Dear Guest Writer,
Being a simple and GULLible creature, fear my irony detector may be on the blink. So did Anthony the Samoan look good to you?
best wishes,
Sid.

PECK

Dear Sid
I think "Anton" will turn out to be the most dynamic signing so far and is on fast track to "legend" status. I can see our props as Wilson and “Anton” backed up by Catt and KPN.

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sid the seagull
17/10/2011 19:05

COOL
thanks eggy.

HOP FLUTTER PREEN

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abendanon-anon-anon
17/10/2011 22:24

Quote:

Go on my sonner
Did anyone else watch the highlights programme on ITV4 to see no highlights of this match at all, merely a read out result!
Slightly dissapointing to say the least!

The Offy has just posted some grainy clips on the news section - most of the tries.

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