Username
Password
Bristol v Falcons 14/10

First start
By Leipziger
October 12 2007
The Falcons make their first trip of the season to the West Country on Sunday to take on Bristol, eight months after a controversial last minute penalty-try defeat to the team-formerly-known-as-Shoguns on our last visit to the Memorial Stadium in February.

Back then, tries from Mathew Tait and Jamie Noon as well as three penalties and a conversion by Toby Flood put us 21-9 up after 52 minutes, but Jason Strange’s boot kept the home side in the hunt and in the dying minutes a penalty try was awarded by referee Andrew Small for us collapsing a scrum.  Strange’s conversion sealed a 22-21 win.

 

The result on the balance of play was probably right, but after holding out for so long everyone with a black heart was gutted the Falcons didn’t win in Bristol for the first time since December 1997.

 

The four precious points helped Bristol to third place in only their second season back in the Premiership, although they lost to eventual champions Leicester in the semi-final.

 

This season our opponents sit a more modest ninth after only one win so far, against London Irish at home two weeks ago when Tom Arscott’s try and three David Hill penalties won the game 14-11.  However, Leicester, the other visitors to the Memorial Stadium, won 13-26 on the opening day and Bristol have been put to the sword at both Sale and last week at Harlequins, where they won in pre-season.

 

Whilst Bristol haven’t lost the most players to the World Cup, those they have are key to their side.  Mark Regan has cemented a place in the England team at hooker, although scrum-half Shaun Perry hasn’t been seen since a dismal showing against South Africa.  Barnstorming winger David Lemi is back after Samoa were knocked out in the pool stage.

 

Whilst England internationals Martin Corry and Garath Archer are two of the biggest names to have worn both shirts, Anthony Elliott made a surprise switch south after two decent seasons with the Falcons, but has yet to feature for Bristol’s Premiership side.

 

Up front is where Bristol’s greatest strength lies, when all available the squad can boast the experience of Darren Crompton, Gareth Llewellyn, Northampton legend Andrew Blowers, Roy Winters and Dave Hilton, marshalled by Brian O’Riordan and Jason Strange.  However, with the pace and power of Lemi and Lee Robinson, plus Kevin Maggs’ brain, their whole side possesses quality, not least highly-rated number 8 Dan Ward-Smith.

 

Sunday sees John Fletcher give Adam Dehaty a first Premiership start in the centres alongside Joe Shaw, whilst Brent Wilson comes in for injured captain Phil Dowson as the Falcons look for a first away Premiership win for 11 months.  Joe McDonnell leads the side in Dowse’s absence.

15 Matthew Burke
14 Tom May
13 Adam Dehaty
12 Joe Shaw
11 John Rudd
10 Steve Jones
9 James Grindal

1 Joe McDonnell (captain)
2 Andy Long
3 David Wilson
4 Jason Oakes
5 Mark Sorenson
6 Geoff Parling
7 Brent Wilson
8 Russell Winter

Replacements:
Matt Thompson
Jon Golding
Andy Perry
Eni Gesinde
Lee Dickson
Tim Visser
Ollie Phillips

 

Bristol team:

15 Josh Taumalolo14 Tom Arscott13 Rob Higgitt12 David Hill11 David Lemi10 Jason Strange9 Brian O'Riordan1 Darren Crompton2 Scott Linklater3 Jason Hobson4 Roy Winters5 Sean Hohneck6 Matt Salter (captain)7 Alfie To'oala8 Dan Ward-Smith

Replacements:
David BlaneyDave HiltonMariano SambucettiJoe El AbdNathan BudgettHaydn Thomas

Neil Brew

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with: