Glaws v Bath - West Country Derby Build Up

First topic message reminder :

So this Saturday is the big West Country derby (please don't get into semantics on this one!) when Bath visit Gloucester. I am not one to harp on about the same thing over and over again, but in case you missed it Glaws have now beaten Bath in 9 of the last 10 games. One key stat I haven't mentioned is that the overall head to head from the Jeff is sitting at 17 wins for Glaws and 18 wins for Bath.

Both sides have new coaching set ups and a raft of new players. Glaws are currently sitting in 5th with 15 points (3 wins, 1 draw, 1 lose) and Bath are 6th with 14 points (3 wins, 2 loses). Both sides have also been criticised in the past for having weak packs, but both also seem to have improved in this area this season. Taking my natural bias aside, I would suggest Glaws have probably seen the biggest improvement in the pack and the scrum is now a key weapon, although this is at the expense of the lineout.

It is going to rain for most of the week, but at present Saturday is due to be a balmy October day with clear sunshine and 15c warmth. So likely to be slippery, but still conditions to throw it about a bit.

Notably this game is to be refereed by Dave Pearson and I believe I am correct in saying this will be his last game before taking up a different role.

The latest odds are:
Glaws 9/10
Bath 10/1

So prediction time: the sweeping tide of Glaws victories will continue in a fiercely fought yet open game which Glaws will run out 32-18 winners

Is Ross Batty a relation/son of the great Nora?

How did Cardiff do against Glaws in August ?

Cardiff who???

Cardiff who Blue ? You Blue ? Boohoo.

Game day and giddy with excitement. Banter aside games against Bath are truly fantastic - intensity is always immense and the atmosphere is buzzing.

Good luck to Bath, those coming have a great day day, but I hope your journey back down the A4 is rather sombre!

Can't wait for this. Kingsholm is bathed under a blanket of clear blue sky and it looks to be that way all day, bit of a chill in the air but fantastic rugby conditions.

I think bath may have an advantage at scrum time but gloucester look to have the stronger and better balanced back row.

a lot may depend on the 10 for both sides. Burns has looked superb so far this season and if he continues that form this afternoon I feel gloucester will be in a good position. His opposite number donald is an interesting selection as I believe its his first start since his return from injury.. Barkley (now in france) has been kicking well for bath whilst implementing a structured game plan. Donald has been hit and miss since his arrival but there are signs he could be a key player for bath and frankly with heathcote injured and barkley gone, he has to be.

Firstly I shall be gracious. Paul James was excellent - Glaws had a dominant scrum in every game this season, but James did a real job on Harden. Attwood looked to be getting back to his best. I thought Fearns was excellent and caused plenty of problems. Donald had probably one of his best games for Bath and Biggs was a real threat.

Points of the game. I have always quite liked Dave Pearson and it is a shame to see him retire, but he had a nightmare today. His refereeing of the breakdown was appalling. But the touch judes were even worse. They are meant to officiate the game too, but just ignored it. The TJ on my side just completely ignored Wilson slipping his bind on Wood all first half. The TMO was a farce. Why go to it for the Cook try when it was so clear? And then not to when we scored a try was farcical.

I thought Glaws' 2nd half turn around was excellent and the control and intensity were far better. The back row were excellent and K and Morgan are proving to be great buys. 36 is really starting to show his worth and Monahan is another championship gem.

Finally, the gloating... Actually after 10 wins out of the last 11, the novelty has worn off. Its no fun if the result is guaranteed, but even so...

HKC
great afternoon. I also think Bath's Wilson gave our front row a hard time in 1st half, but V pleased how our scrum improved in 2nd half. Bath wingers were both dangerous, but Monahan was the best 3/4 out there today. His try being ruled out for double movement was v harsh... it was a momentum try for me. Cowan looked class in his cameo, but let himself down with a daft decision to box kick to Bath with only 2 mins left on the clock.

Now then where is Hersh ? I thought I won a pint bet with him.

I thought Cowan's pass at the end of the match to one of the Bath players was rather funny. Wouldn't have been so funny had Bath scored off it, though. I do think Cowan will be a terrific addition, one mistaken pass aside. All in all Gloucester were the better team and deserved the "W".

Hersh tends to sulk for a bit, but credit to him he'd always honoured his bets. He's a very admirable loser - but he has had the practice!

Hersh is busy on another thread.
He has taken off to Farleigh House to complain to the management.

Congrats Glos!

Still can't believe the TMO wasn't used for that try though, must be the only time all season the ref hasn't gone to a TMO to check and it's the wrong call!!

Was impressed with Burns and 36, controlled the game well and Billy is becoming Tindall-esq in his tackling.

gregortree wrote:Hersh is busy on another thread.
He has taken off to Farleigh House to complain to the management.
:laughing:

He'll be using his 'contact' to complain, i'm sure!

yappysnap wrote:Congrats Glos!

Still can't believe the TMO wasn't used for that try though, must be the only time all season the ref hasn't gone to a TMO to check and it's the wrong call!!

Was impressed with Burns and 36, controlled the game well and Billy is becoming Tindall-esq in his tackling.

36 is steadily improving every game and is really starting to show his class now. I completely agree about his defence, it was something he was not known for but he really has been excellent so far. Nigel Davies is getting every player to compete at the breakdown and he has truly taken to this.

HERSHEY, where are yoooouuuuuuu??

Honestly and you called me chicken? Come on, let's have the sincere and long winded submission that Glaws are the true champions of the West Country

He's still at Farleigh House.

HongKongCherry wrote:HERSHEY, where are yoooouuuuuuu??

Honestly and you called me chicken? Come on, let's have the sincere and long winded submission that Glaws are the true champions of the West Country

Ahem

Effervescing Elephant wrote:

HongKongCherry wrote:HERSHEY, where are yoooouuuuuuu??

Honestly and you called me chicken? Come on, let's have the sincere and long winded submission that Glaws are the true champions of the West Country

Ahem

You don't have a full share of the Jeff rights yet, so you don't count!

But rest assured when I watch the vs Chiefs game at the Rec at the end of the month I shall well and truly be supporting you

HongKongCherry wrote:

Effervescing Elephant wrote:

HongKongCherry wrote:HERSHEY, where are yoooouuuuuuu??

Honestly and you called me chicken? Come on, let's have the sincere and long winded submission that Glaws are the true champions of the West Country

Ahem

You don't have a full share of the Jeff rights yet, so you don't count!

But rest assured when I watch the vs Chiefs game at the Rec at the end of the month I shall well and truly be supporting you

Didn't the s buy up those last week?

beat us home & away last season I recall.
So this term Glaws need to return the compliment..

gregortree wrote: beat us home & away last season I recall.
So this term Glaws need to return the compliment..

Nah, we beat them at Sandy Park. One of the few away grounds we left with points.

Are Chiefs West Country? I thought they'd be more South coastal...

ER
thanks, confusing my seasons, thanks for correcting my memory.
We owe them one for our Kingsholm defeat. The visiting fans did gloat a bit too much over that one.

[West of Glaws & Bath, so they think they are W Country. They could feel lonely otherwise, with only Cornish Pirates further out.]

That was a crazy game. Burns got us in front on his own out of nowhere in a sublime 5 minute spell. Then we gave away a last second try.

fans travel well.

gregortree wrote:ER
thanks, confusing my seasons, thanks for correcting my memory.
We owe them one for our Kingsholm defeat. The visiting fans did gloat a bit too much over that one.

[West of Glaws & Bath, so they think they are W Country. They could feel lonely otherwise, with only Cornish Pirates further out.]

It's lonely at the top, and what with the only professional West Country derby being Albion v Pirates, it's nice of you South Midlanders to include us in your local rivalries.

Pete C (Kiwireddevil) wrote:

HongKongCherry wrote:

Effervescing Elephant wrote:

HongKongCherry wrote:HERSHEY, where are yoooouuuuuuu??

Honestly and you called me chicken? Come on, let's have the sincere and long winded submission that Glaws are the true champions of the West Country

Ahem

You don't have a full share of the Jeff rights yet, so you don't count!

But rest assured when I watch the vs Chiefs game at the Rec at the end of the month I shall well and truly be supporting you

Didn't the s buy up those last week?

Those were the P shares which cost about £5m, but there's also the A shares. We get 5 each year in the Prem, then the full whack of 40 after 6 years. Silly, isn't it?

I'd be quite happy to include Chiefs in the West Country derby, at least games against them are competitive

HongKongCherry wrote:I'd be quite happy to include Chiefs in the West Country derby, at least games against them are competitive

I know it isn't gospel, but Wiki seems to think Exeter is West Country http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Country

I always considered it to be...

bathmad wrote:

HongKongCherry wrote:I'd be quite happy to include Chiefs in the West Country derby, at least games against them are competitive

Sorry bathmad, couldn't resist it

More blydi West Country than the Worcester v Gloucester 'West Country' derby that ITV were banging on about last season!

West of Heston services is still West. Worcester is almost in Wales.

Right me boys, we'm 'avin' usells a Wessex derby then! Then us can tell'em Kernish savages to beggar orf when em comes a callin'!

gregortree wrote:West of Heston services is still West. Worcester is almost in Wales.

Cheese, we should base it on cheese. Only those counties allowed to make West Country cheddar can be called West Country. FACT.

Worcestershire makes cider.
This is W country enough.
(for Hersh)