It has always been my ambition that every match I watch should have one moment of brilliance and we saw this in the thirty-sixth minute when Nick Abendanon literally pirouetted through the Northampton defence as he ran from inside the Bath half to well inside the Saints' twenty-two to set himself up to score Bath's second try. Forget for a moment that this was sport, Bendy's dance was art: it was a thing of beauty. His twist 'n turns and ludicrous feints would have sold Ray Allen a dummy (who remembers Titch and Quackers?). I was jumping around on my seat as I too fell for his tricks. Fantastic. Had the traitor been in the ground today he would have been penciling the name "Abendanon" in the World Cup Possibilities list.

Picture courtesy Jules

Talking of the World Cup. Danny Grewcock played a stormer, culminating in the opening try of the match. The man is a colossus and must have caught and carried the ball more than anyone else on the pitch and Ashton will rue the day he dropped the big man from his squad for tomorrow's game.

The Bath players started each half in a huddle to have a "group squeeze" and there was a definite feeling of togetherness today, including a Scots-like slow walk to several lineouts. The whole day had an "old fashioned" feel about it. Beautiful weather (you never remember the rainy days) with the blue sky criss-crossed with vapour from passing planes, great visiting supporters (Saints always bring a super crowd of noisy supporters who make the atmosphere party-like) and Bath playing (mostly) good rugby. I almost hesitate to say it but... it wouldn't feel like this in a new stadium (or would it?).

Picture courtesy Jules

Two early Olly Barkley penalties preceded Grewcock's try as did a handful of errors from Chris Malone which would have delighted his detractors. I've always been a supporter of the young Aussie but even I was disappointed to see him scuffing several attempts at drop-goals and passing the ball without much accuracy. Several times he tested the catching skills of Eliota to the limit but fortunately our South Seas' centre has very sticky mitts. 

With the score standing at 6-0 to Bath, Carlos Spencer was just a catch away (and 90 yards of pitch of course) from breaking a few hearts by scoring a try which would happily carry the tag of "Burglar Bill". Once again Bath were pressing in the Saints' red zone and after Grewcock had smashed his way through a few bystanders and slipped the ball to Barkley, Spencer opted to grab the looping pass attempt to Bory only to see it spill in front of him. How would the game have panned out if the tubby New Zealander had taken his chance?

Picture courtesy Jules

Bath continued to attack the Saints' line in waves and the defenders couldn't cope without  giving up a series of penalties. Eventually Roy Maybank had enough of the foul play and binned Christian Labit. Within moments Bath spread the ball wide and Danny dived over the line for his try. Fifteen minutes later Nick Abendanon did his bit of magic.

The second half was a different affair, with Bath looking less confident and Northampton raising their game and spirits with two good tries. The pace at which Robbie Kydd ran on to the ball to score his points was electric.

With the score at 22-17 and the clock ticking it was a case of Bath hanging on, and so they did.

Picture courtesy Jules

Finally, because referee Roy Maybank always gets gip from the Bath contingent, today I thought he had a good game. Mind you he did have the help of our old mate Rosey!

Referee: Roy Maybank

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