The Bath Rugby Thread

by HERSH Wed 15 Aug 2012, 13:37

First topic message reminder :

The dedicated home of all things Bath Rugby,

Please feel free to discuss all things Bath related, so pull up a chair an have a quite drink among friends, mines a Bath Ales Dark Side please. guinness

Other fans welcome but remember, play nicely.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Sun 30 Sep 2012, 20:13

He's pretty young too, I think, so should have plenty of time to develop

by HERSH Mon 01 Oct 2012, 09:14

Derby time.

Yes it’s that time again where we Bath fans make the short trip to Kingsholm (the home of under achievement) to take on the not so mighty Glawster.

I think losing Barkley just before this game is a kick in the teeth to be honest, but I expect Donald to stand up and perform (I know he can do it) when I saw him in action for the Baa baas v Wales he looked like a different player, maybe it was the hostile atmos that spurred him on so playing at Kingsholm might get the best out of him.

I predict a Bath win by 3pts.

by bathmad Mon 01 Oct 2012, 10:54

Gary Gold - "We need to learn to kill teams off". Too bloody right!!! When are Bath ever going to get a bonus point!!!!!! Won 3 out of 5, same as Saracens and Leicester, but bonus points are the difference between 3rd and 6th.

On the plus side, strong performances from Bath's English contingent. Thought Wilson and Fearns especially were excellent, with the latter carryingly increasingly well in the 2nd half. Obviously fitness concerns are over.

by HERSH Mon 01 Oct 2012, 11:02

This has been a problem for Bath for a number of years.

by bluestonevedder Mon 01 Oct 2012, 11:03

bathmad wrote:Gary Gold - "We need to learn to kill teams off". Too bloody right!!! When are Bath ever going to get a bonus point!!!!!! Won 3 out of 5, same as Saracens and Leicester, but bonus points are the difference between 3rd and 6th.

On the plus side, strong performances from Bath's English contingent. Thought Wilson and Fearns especially were excellent, with the latter carryingly increasingly well in the 2nd half. Obviously fitness concerns are over.

Haven't seen the game, but that's excellent to hear.

by HERSH Mon 01 Oct 2012, 13:10

Andy Powell in trouble (yet again picard

) for giving the Bath fans the 'V' sign.

Laugh

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/19786513

What a loser.

by gregortree Mon 01 Oct 2012, 13:27

They shouldn't have been in the way of his buggy.

by **LondonTiger** Mon 01 Oct 2012, 13:29

bathmad wrote:Gary Gold - "We need to learn to kill teams off". Too bloody right!!! When are Bath ever going to get a bonus point!!!!!! Won 3 out of 5, same as Saracens and Leicester, but bonus points are the difference between 3rd and 6th.

I reckon the two points for a draw are pretty important as well.

by HongKongCherry Mon 01 Oct 2012, 14:32

HERSH wrote:Derby time.

Yes it’s that time again where we Bath fans make the short trip to Kingsholm (the home of under achievement) to take on the not so mighty Glawster.

It is not often I agree with you HERSH, but there is no doubt considering the resources available to Glaws over the last 10 years we have under achieved. Likewise, having only just halted a run of 4 home defeats Kingsholm is no longer that mighty.

Our major problem and unfrotunately one that cannot be rectified is that we cannot play Bath every week. If we could, we'd be the greatest side ever Hug

===================================================================
Clinical studies have proven that in 9 out 10 occasions Glaws will beat Bath thumbsup

===================================================================

by bathmad Mon 01 Oct 2012, 16:38

by HERSH Tue 02 Oct 2012, 10:07

I have a good feeling about this one, Barkley is in great form Doh

by gregortree Tue 02 Oct 2012, 10:30

yes we have Tindall ! (cough)

by HERSH Tue 02 Oct 2012, 10:38

On a serious note Bath fans if we do lose on Saturday as a direct result of not having a decent goal kicker in the team, how would you feel towards our new coaching set up?

I for one will feel very bitter towards them, which at this stage of the season is a little disappointing. I feel the club are beginning to take the Mickey out of us loyal fans, OK we will always lose some games that is the nature of the sport but year after year it doesn't seem to get any better we have under achieved as a club for too long and drastic action needs to be taken.

by gregortree Tue 02 Oct 2012, 10:44

Hersh, relax, Glaws don't infringe or give away pen kicks

by EnglishReign Tue 02 Oct 2012, 12:19

Looking forward to Saturday. Got a feeling it will be close and tries-a-plenty.

by HongKongCherry Tue 02 Oct 2012, 12:54

It is a shame Barkley has gone before this game. He didn't have a great stint at Glaws, but he was still a Glaws player and I would have preferred a better farewell at Kingsholm than that horrific injury.

Similarly, we don't want the game to be a walk over, at least Barkley would've given Bath a sporting chance! Wink

by sirtidychris Tue 02 Oct 2012, 12:57

HERSH wrote:On a serious note Bath fans if we do lose on Saturday as a direct result of not having a decent goal kicker in the team, how would you feel towards our new coaching set up?

I for one will feel very bitter towards them, which at this stage of the season is a little disappointing. I feel the club are beginning to take the Mickey out of us loyal fans, OK we will always lose some games that is the nature of the sport but year after year it doesn't seem to get any better we have under achieved as a club for too long and drastic action needs to be taken.

I'd say bath were going very well during the steve meehan years, we were playing an exciting brand of rugby, getting top four finishes and really starting to build a decent squad and some momentum going into the future. We then get bruce craig with tonnes of money and are all very excited about this prospect, in comes lewis moody, steve Donald, Dan hipkiss and Sir ian mcheegan. This completley undermines Steve Meehan, the guy who has really made bath an exciting team again after the horrendous Foley and connolly years and he leaves. We then look lost on the pitch, SIM is forced into a role he never wanted operating 1 coach short of full team and our big money signings do sweet FA.

This season we have had some promising wins against the worst teams in the League but come the leicester, sarries and Harlequins games we will get smashed. For some reason we are happy to operate with no quality depth at centre or back row and let our best inside centre and point scorer leave after a couple of games. I honestly dont see how SKiriving and Taylour are walking into the starting 15 each week and why we have haven't recruited a real quality (not old or injury prone ) centre.

There is no way i can see Bath winning anything this year, i just hope the team really buy into the Gold game plan and we see the youngsters Devoto, Woodburn, Catt, Williams, Heathcote, Palma-newport, Mercer, Eastmond et al really kick on this year so for next season we have a spine of home grown quality and we can fill the gaps with the odd (quality signing)...like leicester and Northampton do.

by HERSH Tue 02 Oct 2012, 13:02

Woodburn seems to be out of favour with GG

by bathmad Wed 03 Oct 2012, 14:16

HERSH wrote:On a serious note Bath fans if we do lose on Saturday as a direct result of not having a decent goal kicker in the team, how would you feel towards our new coaching set up?

I'd be more worried about the lack of 12. Donald will now need to play 10, and with Banahan and Williams out, who do we have left? Hate to say it, but think Freddie Burns and co are going to have a field day.

by HERSH Wed 03 Oct 2012, 14:33

I agree.

HKC bets off, Bath have imploded once again. furious

Enjoy your day and big win.

by HongKongCherry Wed 03 Oct 2012, 16:08

HERSH wrote:I agree.

HKC bets off, Bath have imploded once again.

Enjoy your day and big win.

Don't be like that HERSH. Honestly you Bath boys are being very defeatist at the moment. Where's the fun in gloating over a victory if you're already resigned to losing?!

by HERSH Wed 03 Oct 2012, 16:36

Here's what I'll do HKC.

The bet is on If you beat us by 12 or more, if thats the case you win, any less I win. Very Happy

Lets face it Bath aren't going to win this year.

by HERSH Thu 04 Oct 2012, 09:52

Have a think about it HKC..... thumbsup

by HongKongCherry Thu 04 Oct 2012, 10:06

HERSH wrote:Have a think about it HKC.....

I have and it's a no! I shall be celebrating any Glaws victory. Naturally I'd prefer a very one sided affair, but if we play dreadfully and sneak a 1 point win I shall still be very happy!

by HERSH Thu 04 Oct 2012, 10:08

Chicken

by HongKongCherry Thu 04 Oct 2012, 10:27

HERSH wrote:Chicken

But you're asking me to effectively not celebrate a victory if it's less than 12 points. I couldn't possibly ever do that especially against Bath! I still feel our best win was the 8-7 victory a few seasons ago.

I shall agree to be magnanimous in victory if by less than 12. clap

More than 12 and I'll be like an American Ryder Cup team!!!! Yahoo

by Bathite Thu 04 Oct 2012, 10:55

"Get in the hole!"

by bluestonevedder Thu 04 Oct 2012, 10:57

I watched the Bath-Sale game from the weekend last night, and both Fearns and Attwood had excellent games I thought. Fearns' carrying and tackling (as always) were excellent, whereas Attwood was very decent in the lineout and excellent in the tackle. On a number of occasions he smothered the ball carrier, drove them back, and stole the ball. Excellent work. Hope he starts this weekend.

by HERSH Thu 04 Oct 2012, 11:02

I'm still laughing at Jim Furyk celebrating too early. Laugh

by HERSH Thu 04 Oct 2012, 13:18

I'm very disappointed in you HongKongChicken, maybe deep down you know it's going to be close?

by HongKongCherry Thu 04 Oct 2012, 13:29

HERSH wrote:I'm very disappointed in you HongKongChicken, maybe deep down you know it's going to be close?

I shall rise above such petty name calling and be satisfied in the knowledge that we have already won the psychological battle ahead of Saturday zen

p.s. Hershey Highway raspberry

by gregortree Thu 04 Oct 2012, 13:51

Hersh, I think it could be close, accepting that Bath seem more personnel struck than Glaws are, so that will tip the odds a little against Bath.
But I would be brash / rash to bet for a 12 pointer. I might bet for a 7 pointer in Glaws favour. My pint of DoomBar to your pint of Cheddar Vale then, winnings collectible at Kingsholm.

by HongKongCherry Thu 04 Oct 2012, 14:02

Having just read Bath's rugbynetwork site the view there is very different to the Bath supporters here. In general they all feel the Bath pack is much improved and will dominate a weak Glaws pack. Clearly they have all been drinking far too much Blackthorn, but it is interesting that the view is so different.

by HERSH Thu 04 Oct 2012, 14:19

They're a weird bunch that lot HKChic

by gregortree Thu 04 Oct 2012, 14:26

LW v Glaws
Set pieces
Scrums on own feed
3 won, 0 lost (100.0%).10 won, 0 lost (100.0%)

Lineouts on own throw
12 won, 1 lost (92.3%) 7 won, 3 lost (70.0%)

by gregortree Thu 04 Oct 2012, 14:29

HKC
I hope big Jim has got over the ankle bash he picked up , and also that Dawidiuk is fit again. We did struggle in the lineout last Sunday. Savage is better in open play than in the jumping dept.

by Bathite Thu 04 Oct 2012, 14:38

HongKongCherry wrote:Having just read Bath's rugbynetwork site the view there is very different to the Bath supporters here. In general they all feel the Bath pack is much improved and will dominate a weak Glaws pack. Clearly they have all been drinking far too much Blackthorn, but it is interesting that the view is so different.

I think the pack will compete, it's the breakdown I'm worried about and the back row in general. WOuldn't have concerns if Super Louw was here, but despite Fearns' blinding form, I fear he'll be outnumbered

by bluestonevedder Thu 04 Oct 2012, 14:49

Bathite wrote:

I think the pack will compete, it's the breakdown I'm worried about and the back row in general. WOuldn't have concerns if Super Louw was here, but despite Fearns' blinding form, I fear he'll be outnumbered

I reckon Attwood might get the start for that very reason. He's damn useful at breakdown time, much more so than Hooper and Day.

Could do with Mercer starting at 7 too. How come he's not being considered at the moment?

by gregortree Thu 04 Oct 2012, 14:49

Glos pack shoved LW around all afternoon in the scrums ok.
L/O was the Glos weak area, and LW mauling and retention were also v good.
Glos needed a loose play pickpocket / groundhog type on the park.

by HERSH Thu 04 Oct 2012, 16:15

****BIG ANNOUNCEMENT****

A big hurdle has been cleared. (fingers crossed)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-19830284

Just like to point out I mentioned this a couple of weeks ago but the thread was pulled.

I'm right again. Very Happy

by bathmad Thu 04 Oct 2012, 16:22

bluestonevedder wrote:
Bathite wrote:

I think the pack will compete, it's the breakdown I'm worried about and the back row in general. WOuldn't have concerns if Super Louw was here, but despite Fearns' blinding form, I fear he'll be outnumbered

I reckon Attwood might get the start for that very reason. He's damn useful at breakdown time, much more so than Hooper and Day.

Could do with Mercer starting at 7 too. How come he's not being considered at the moment?

Coming back from injury. Captained the United side to victory over Irish the other day. Give him a week and he'll be in the mix.

by bathmad Thu 04 Oct 2012, 16:23

HERSH wrote:****BIG ANNOUNCEMENT****

A big hurdle has been cleared. (fingers crossed)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-19830284

Just like to point out I mentioned this a couple of weeks ago but the thread was pulled.

I'm right again.

Here's hoping. 6/7 years of constant disappointment is enough now.

by gregortree Thu 04 Oct 2012, 16:25

The locals behind the clubhouse will complain though. They will want to protect their free view of the match from those soaring rooftops.

by sirtidychris Thu 04 Oct 2012, 16:29

I don't hear any fat ladies yet......"If the deal is made, permission will be needed from the Charity Commission"

"The Charity Commission will begin a 28-day public consultation before making its final decision"

still a little way to go but definate step in the right direction!!

by HongKongCherry Thu 04 Oct 2012, 16:38

I think this article is very misleading. The premise of the land swap is right, but my contact at Farleigh House (extremely reliable and very good at making tea) tells me that actually Bath are swapping the land at the Rec... for the land at the County Ground in Swindon Wink

by HERSH Thu 04 Oct 2012, 21:20

You know them too HongKongChic, I guess we move in the same circles after all.

by HERSH Fri 05 Oct 2012, 09:09

This is a little odd.

The Cardiff Blues get hammered so what do they do? Invite Bath over to make themselves feel better.

Should we worry?

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2012/10/04/cardiff-blues-team-up-with-bath-to-bounce-back-from-ulster-hammering-91466-31968249/#sitelife-commentsWidget-bottom

by HongKongCherry Fri 05 Oct 2012, 12:14

HERSH wrote:You know them too HongKongChic, I guess we move in the same circles after all.

Heaven forbid! Our team has just been posted I'm getting even more confident about the win boxing

by HERSH Fri 05 Oct 2012, 12:16

Oh, chick, chick, chick, chick, chicken, lay a little egg for me!
Chick, chick, chick, chick, chicken, I want one for me tea,
I haven't had an egg since Easter,
And now it's half past three,
So, chick, chick, chick, chick, chicken, lay a little egg for me!

by thebluesmancometh Fri 05 Oct 2012, 12:21

I'm confused, did the Blues invite a top English club to train with them or Bath?

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