Bath
Into The Bear Pit: Bristol v Bath
Attwood: revitalised
By P G Tips
August 28 2018
Bath face a date in the bear pit when they play Bristol at Ashton Gate on Friday. Their newly promoted Avon rivals renamed in the off season, perhaps in an attempt to form a new identity and leave behind years of recent frustration? For the past decade they have been either a Championship club or bottom of the Premiership. Now, as Bristol Bears they hope to forge again the strength that made them one of England’s leading clubs. So will Bath be meeting Grizzlies or Teddies?
The past few decades have not been kind to Bristol, especially in contrast with their neighbours upriver. Since winning the John Player Cup in 1983 they have seen the “upstarts” of Bath win 18 titles while their trophy cabinet has been bare except for occasional Championship triumphs – an excuse for regular bear baiting by Bath’s fans.
Those fans should not take victory for granted however. Newly promoted sides often hit the ground running as Bristol showed in 2005 when they snatched a stunning opening day win over Bath. Of course the Bears squad has been strengthened in preparation for life in the top tier and a sell-out Ashton Gate will be an inhospitable venue for the season opener. A sea change is blowing through this historic port city –in the form of DOR Pat Lam, who has shown himself smarter than the average coach. The Samoan was not so much a refreshing breeze but a hurricane force influence on his previous club, Connaught, leading them to the Pro 12 title in 2016. From underachievers to Champions in three seasons is one thing, but he radically revised their playing style so they bamboozled defences, even with limited possession or territory and in the final embarrassed Leinster with the width and ambition of their play.
Last season he had Bristol tearing teams apart in the Championship, although their set piece was variable. Has he the men at his disposal to correct the failings up front and continue the swashbuckling style? The front row, shored up by Thomas and Afoa should be a stern test for anybody and the loose trio of Latua, Smith and Lam are likely to contest breakdown possession tooth and claw. Behind them there is pedigree to deliver several vicious swipes of the paw in Madigan, Morahan and Siale Piutau. Charles Piutau unfortunately picked up an injury in the pre season friendly against Connaught and looks unlikely to start.
Against them Bath can select from a larger fit squad than for three years. The evidence of last Friday’s friendly against Scarlets is most encouraging. The first signs of Girvan Dempsey’s influence on attack were evident throughout while the return of Attwood and Thomas revitalised the pack who were brisk and purposeful all game, even after multiple second half changes. Roberts and Willison brought directness and direction to both attack and defence while new wing Cokanasiga looked sharp and hungry, taking his two tries in style.
With that heavy win under their belts it is tempting to think that Bath will render their opponents more Pooh than Grizzly, sending them from the field at full time with sore heads. This though is a derby, with more Pooh traps than even Eeyore can foresee. Bragging rights would be fun, but there is only one aim. The bare necessity for Bath is a win.
Possible Teams:
Bath:
Catt, Dunn, Thomas, Attwood, Stooke, Garvey (Capt.), Underhill, Faletau. Chudley, Priestland. Cokanasiga, Roberts, Willison, Rokodoguni. Homer.
Replacements: Vaughan, Walker, Perenise, Ellis, Mercer. Cook, Burns, Wilson.
Bristol Bears:
Thomas, Thacker, Afoa, Holmes, Latta, Luata, Smith, Lam. Stirzaker, Madigan. Edwards, S Piutau, Leiua, Morahan. Daniels.
Replacements: Malton, Lay, Armstrong, Joyce, Crane. Randall, Sheedy, Pisi.
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28/08/2018 13:19
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2018:09:05:07:42:21 by P G Tips.
Referee: JP Doyle (154th Premiership game).
Assistant Referees: Adam Leal & Wayne Falla.
TMO: Rowan Kitt.
Citing Officer: Buster White.
Welcome back PG, a good read as always. TVM..
Adopted players: 24/25 J Bayliss; [24] O Lawrence; [23] J Cokanasiga; [22] M Green; [21] A Watson; [20] T Faletau; [19] M V Vuuren; [18] T Faletau; [17] D Denton; [16] H. Agulla; [15] L Houston; [14] W Spencer; [13] F. Louw
Family . Community . Nation - [sdp.org.uk]
My mind's been going places without me lately - Bushfire The B52's
Quote:CoochieCoo
Ashton Gate, 7.45pm – Live on BT Sport
Referee: JP Doyle (154th Premiership game).
Assistant Referees: Adam Leal & Wayne Falla.
TMO: Rowan Kitt.
Citing Officer: Buster White.
Citing officer - Buster White
Poacher turned gamekeeper?
“If I’d had a pound for every time someone has called me a poacher turned gamekeeper, I could probably have retired by now.”
That’s 2 more quid then.
[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]
PG
Yes that is the same Buster White of Wasps and England Saxons fame. I knew and played against and with his father who also was shall we say a very hard, uncompromising flanker for Swanage and Wareham and Dorset Knobs who was a very likeable, engaging character off the field as opposed to the bristling, snarling character on it. Dad worked in the clay pits in Dorset hewing clay with a pick which caused him to have a very serious back injury and meant he was in a plaster caste from his neck to groin for over a year. But he still returned to the rugby field, as rough and tough as ever.
Last saw them both at the Rec when we were playing Wasps and according to my wife, I returned home somewhat 'tired and emotional' after spending a few very happy hours reminiscing with him and his good lady wife. Happy days.
Adopted player 2020/21 Beno 'the Transformer' Obano
Adopted player 2019/20 Jonathan 'JJ' Joseph.The Jink Joseph.
Adopted player 2018/19 Adopted player 2018/19 Semesa 'The Rock' Rokoduguni
Used to see him in the Springbok at QPR when Buster was playing for Wasps.
Adopted player 2020/21 Beno 'the Transformer' Obano
Adopted player 2019/20 Jonathan 'JJ' Joseph.The Jink Joseph.
Adopted player 2018/19 Adopted player 2018/19 Semesa 'The Rock' Rokoduguni
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