By Leipziger
January 30 2011

The Falcons' hopes of qualifying for the LV Cup semi-finals for the first time took a hit yesterday as a second-half comeback by Bath condemned us to a bonus-point defeat.



From a personal point of view, it was a tiring start to matchday as going downstairs to the Tube at London Bridge I recalled that on the way to Bath last season I got on the Jubilee Line going in the wrong direction. Incredibly, I did it again, but this time I didn't notice until the second stop! I made it to Baker Street and just missed a Bakerloo Line train to Paddington.

When the next train came, the driver said there would be a delay because of a problem further up the line, and he didn't know how long. Train to Bath was leaving Paddington in just less than 20 minutes. I decided to walk it but a) I underestimated the distance and b) I didn't know the way! Eventually after asking for directions a second time, I spotted the Hilton up the road from Paddington and legged it. I probably could've run faster, but I hadn't realised how unfit I am now!

I managed to keep going, jumped through a gate I probably shouldn't have and made it onto the train just as the conductor was blowing her whistle. I collapsed on the first seat I saw, it was First Class but forgive me. Finally I regained some breath, downed some squash and scuttled through to Second Class. Did you know First Great Western now have an 'entertainment carriage', with a little telly in the back of the seat? You have to pay like, and I didn't.

Anyway, onto the match in absence of any more transport-related drama. It was a chilly and dull afternoon at the Rec, but myself and the few other away fans (I could hear one, sounded like he was in that weird pen-style terrace Bath have beside the clubhouse) could be optimistic since Alan Tait had named a strong side.

We went ahead in the first few minutes when Sam Vesty pulled back Tane Tu'ipulotu as Tulip chased his own hack into the 22, and Jimmy Gopperth knocked over the resulting penalty.

The home side struggled to get into the game at all, not helped by an incredibly quiet crowd (so it sounded from the terrace anyway), while the Falcons looked strong and aggressive, Matt Thompson and Will Welch putting themselves about well around the field and Micky Young looking more like the nipper we know and love, but may soon miss.

Bath did win a kickable penalty but Olly Barkley missed, before on 20 minutes good work by Thompson and Mark Wilson at a ruck saw us win a penalty and Gopperth doubled the lead.

Just before that kick Josh Ovens had unfortunately been stretchered off with a nasty-looking injury (it's always worrying when the teams start to run around the keep warm) and was replaced with Luke Watson. The South African may have been beaten by speedy scrum-half Mark McMillan to the man-of-the-match award, but for me he changed the game with his powerful carries.

Bath began to put pressure on us but the Falcons kept their discipline in defence, until Aaron Jarvis forced his way over on the far left and referee Rob Debney awarded the try after consulting with his touch judge.

Barkley's conversion came back off the post to keep us in the lead, but Gopperth couldn't extend the advantage with his third attempt at goal.

In the second 40 Watson drove Bath forward for most of the half. Jacques Boussuge looked dangerous and Young was forced to scurry under the winger when clearing up a kick into the 22. Barkley kicked another penalty at goal but mis-cued and the ball fell under the posts – it's at times like that you think it might be your day.

While our defence held out, penalties were a big help, and the referee finally lost patience, sending Euan Murray to the bin. With Andrew van der Heijden now on in the second row, Tim Swinson had moved to blindside and he was sacrificed for James Hall.

Bath took a scrum under the posts but our seven men forced a knock-on and we managed not to concede while down to 14. However, once Murray returned, Barkley finally took points with 15 minutes left.

Ahead for the first time, Bath continued to dominate and a second home penalty by Barkley all-but secured their win. We went on the attack in the dying minutes and stole the ball at a Bath scrum, but a knock-on ended the match.

The losing bonus point could be useful with the LV group stage only having one week to run, depending on how other results go and of course Wasps still have to play Harlequins today. We are still in contention to qualify for the last four though and that can only be a good thing.

As for yesterday, our forwards performed well, Euan Murray doing well in the scrum, which was nice as David Flatman was quite feisty and I don't like him any more. A lot of our forwards put in good performances.

We have to think more before kicking though (six years and four managers on, what are the chances of that?). There were some wasteful boots, not least two that went out on the full when there was no need to kick anyway. And Tulip practically giving Bath the ball from about ten metres away, and the advancing Falcons stopping to ensure the player in possession (Abendanon I think) had a run-up before getting to them, was in my loud words and the opinion of the Bathplugs around me “pathetic”.

But the first half performance and a good overall defensive effort should give us confidence going into next week and February's crucial league games.