Today not at his belligerent best, but he more than anyone symbolises the strength and determination that embodies this latest crop of heroes. The game started brightly and we only had to wait five minutes before we had the customary charge down of an attempted clearance by Molly. A few minutes later and the Bath eight showed why they are considered the best unit in the premiership even missing so many regulars the stand-ins showed their true worth in destroying the Leeds scrum for the first but not the last turnover. 

The game then set off of a roller-coaster ride of teeth drawing painfully mediocre display of rugby, which couldn’t even warm the hearts of the most passionate of purists. Like a shining beacon on a windswept west country cliff heralding the arrival of the Spanish armada, Pezza did his utmost to turn a sows ear into a silk purse, in what must have been his finest performance for many an injury ravaged year he was pure gold, peerless in defence and bright and authoritative in attack constantly beating the first line and attacking space. 

In quite possibly the dourest game of rugby I’ve watched more like two aging pugilist hanging on in for one more payday. Bath shaded the first half 6-0 despite dominating each and every set piece but constantly turning the ball over at the collision which as a testament to the Leeds defence was outstanding with Snyman, standing in the 10 position to the fore. The second half could never be as bad as the first but with both teams determined to lose the contest we were set fair for another 40 minutes of mind numbing frustration. Despite some excellent wing to wing attacking moves, one of which came from first phase, were unable to breach the Leeds line and, as so many times before, the final pass ended up on the ground or in touch.

As I was brought up to only say good things about people all I can say about Mr Lander is that he turned up: where the seven minutes of injury time came from only he can say.

To finish on a positive note, James Hudson is one not only for the future but the here and now. A finely executed pirouette at pace for a 6 foot 7 inch second row of 18 plus stones on the hoof is Ligament stretching stuff indeed. Cheeseman is pure class but the ball that gets to him is slow and laboured yet still he ducked and weaved and showed real calm in the pressure cooker of the Premiership.

Man of the Match: Matt Perry who with Snyman are the only people who came out of this most forgettable of matches leaving a positive memory.

Oh nearly forgot, the final score. Oh who cares, some bloke called Holt crashed over to steal it, whilst we all moved on to the main event…..

Bath: Perry, A. Williams, Cheeseman, Barkley, Welsh, Malone, Wood, Barnes, Humphreys, Bell, Hudson, Grewcock, Lewis, Scaysbrook, Delve.
Replacements: Walshe for Wood (61), Mears for Humphreys (30).Not Used: Kok, Goodman, Fidler, Booth, Davis.

Leeds: Albanese, Snyman, Christophers, Bell, Biggs, Ross, Dickens, Shelley, Regan, Kerr, Hooper, Morgan, Rigney, Parks, Popham.
Replacements: Rawlinson for Regan (56), Holt for Kerr (46), Dunbar for Rigney (65), Hyde for Parks (46). Not Used: McMillan, McMullen, Rees.

Referee: Steve Lander

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