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B**h Push Bristol to the Brink

James
By Odd Down Observer
March 11 2009
Local rivals B**h edged Bristol closer to relegation with a comprehensive victory. The first half saw Bristol briefly lead, but it reflected sloppy B**h play rather than concerted Bristol pressure. The second half saw B**h dominant with Bristol unable to reply.

Bristol were on the defensive from the start and it looked ominous for the visitors when Maddock scored the opening try, dummying his way past the non-plussed Tom Arscott, with just five minutes on the clock.  The conversion was easy for james and it was already 7 - 0 to B**h.  The pressure was maintained and so it was against the run of play when Bristol were next to score.  Shaun Perry looked up to see a big space behind the defence and put in a nice box kick that, fortunately, didn't go straight into touch.  Instead it bounced neatly into the hands of Lee Robinson who scored his now traditional try against B**h.  Ed Barnes was off target so it was 7 - 5.

Bristol then received a blow when David Blaney was forced off by injury to be replaced by debutant Ollie Hayes.  He acquitted himself well after a couple of early problems at the lineout.  B**h continued to attack but their next scoring opportunity was only a missed penalty from James. They contrived to put themselves under pressure when Banahan and Maddock made a complete hash of a quick lineout on their own 22.  Bristol tried to take advantage and piled in over the line.  It looked as if Redford Pennycook might have touched down but the referee was hopelessly positioned.  The only reward was a penalty and Barnes was unerring and, surprisingly, it was 7 - 8.  Typically, this narrow lead was rapidly nullified when James, following a great break by Hape, scored a simple penalty and 10 - 8 it was.  B**h were completely dominating possession and the pressure told when Higgins went down the wing and just failed to score.  Maddock was on hand to pick up well and go over for his second converted try to take the hosts to a 17 - 8 lead.  This lead should have been extended further when James popped up one of his trademark inside balls.  It was seized by Banahan who romped towards the line.  It looked as if he might go all the way but chose to pass to the supporting James who, in turn, passed to Fa'amatuainu.  Inexplicably he ran totally the wrong line, was brought to ground, held on because no support was available and gave away the penalty.  So it stayed at 17 -8 at half time.

Bristol started the second half strongly with a smart break from Perry well supported by Robinson.  Bristol held on to possession and B**h were forced into conceding a penalty.  Barnes missed what looked a routine kick and B**h promptly grasped control of the game. James' kick ahead was perfectly controlled; the ball sat up nicely for Crockett to score at the other end for another converted try, and a convincing 24 - 8 score line.  B**h were looking much more direct now and Bristol's problems were compounded when replacement scrum half Haydn Thomas was sin-binned just two minutes after coming on.  B**h took full advantage. 

Unsurprisingly they elected for the scrum following Thomas' departure and a penalty try resulted after three successive infringements close to the line: 31 - 8.  With B**h seemingly unassailable, a plethora of replacements broke up the rhythm of the game and allowed a brief resurgence from Bristol.  This was soon snuffed out when B**h broke from deep and replacement Browne ran in (after a clear B**h knock on).  James made the conversion for a 38 - 8 lead.  B**h took their time before scoring their final try, but it was a good one with an excellent break by Abendanon, excellent handling throughout and good support play before Crockett went over for a try converted by James for a 45 - 8 lead.  Bristol strove to salvage some pride and an unusually combative Robinson was somewhat harshly yellow carded for a clumsy challenge out on the wing.  With a few minutes to go it gave the ball back to the hosts but Bristol were able to hold out without conceding a score before the final whistle.

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B**h Push Bristol to the Brink
Posted by: bristolrugby.net (IP Logged)
Date: 11/03/2009 19:55

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