So after a fantastic night last Friday where 6700 Warriors fans, seemed like much more to me however, cheered on the Warriors to the ECC Final. It was another confident and controlled performance by the Warriors, with Newcastle rarely looking like they had any real hold on the game. Captain Fantastic Pat Sanderson, lead the men into a game that was a joy to watch from start to finish.

We played the game with forwards controlling the pace when we needed them to and a re-juvenated Matt Powell throwing the ball wide when the chances were there. We are now playing open and expansive rugby on a par with some of the best teams in the league, you only have to look at the Bath game to see that’s true.

This brings me onto the game this weekend against Bath’s close neighbours, Bristol. It seems so long ago when John Brain’s new set of forwards came to Sixways for a match that was a definite must win for us. We had no wins to our name and we were low on confidence, but somehow the players dug deep to foil the attempts of their former DoR to leave Sixways with 4 points.

It was a game that many of hoped was the start of winning run that had to wait to away at Sale before getting going. Since then it is almost like all the pieces have fell into place and the players are showing the sort of rugby many of us hoped to see at Sixways with Mike Ruddock’s appointment last year.

That day we out-muscled the Bristol forwards, out ran there backs and played with a good deal of team spirit. So will this Saturday be any different? I think not. I know there are calls to rest players in case of injuries this weekend but we all know how the Warriors play when they have had a week or so off. So I would be tempted myself to put out a pretty unchanged side and rest maybe only those players that really can’t make it. With this side and maybe our youthful but highly talented youngsters on the bench I think we have enough in the tanks to take on a Bristol side not enjoying the same sort of form we are enjoying.

I would say a word of caution though. This is their last game at the Memorial Ground for a couple of years as they seem to be ahead across the border ( No I don’t mean St Johns) to play their rugby in Newport. How that turns out will be interesting to see but would be nice to visit a different ground next year.

Bristol will however be keen to send their fans away with a win so we must not think after our recent performances this is a nailed on win. As many teams have found out against us when fighting for something a team can be dangerous animal to corner. So how do I see it going I here you cry. Well a tough to call but as long as rugby Times has us down to lose I am sure a blended side of youth and experience can come away with another four points from a game.

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