FalconsRugby.org.uk - Fabulous Friday - Falcons v Bristol Match Preview

Fabulous Friday - Falcons v Bristol Match Preview

Averaging 15 points/game

By lebigmac69
September 25 2008
Falcon’s 3rd home game in 4 weeks sees Bristol make the long journey North to Kingston Park, where they look to rectify their thus far winless season, whereas Falcons can double their existing points total with a bonus point win in what was always going to be a must-win game for both sides.

Leagues aren’t won or lost in late September, but opening up a 9 point lead over fellow relegation candidates could prove a handy cushion come April 25^th. Steve Bates team must be looking to prove a point to themselves, as well as the Kingston Park faithful, after being comprehensively outplayed, out thought, out muscled, out everything-ed in Watford at the weekend. A 44-14 scoreline flattering the visitors who were, by all accounts, absolutely woeful for 75 minutes. A performance more akin to the second half of the Stains match being preferable to anything comparable to any of the other 200 minutes we’ve endured this season. So what are the positives ahead of the combine harvester’s visit to KP for a ‘Fabulous Friday’? Well, the men in black have scored 4 tries in their 3 games so far, and scored an average of 18 points a game. Some lad called Jonny Wilkinson has come back from several years of ‘body-knack’ and is playing some excellent rugby, looking as good as we’ve seen from him in a long time. Averaging over 15 points per game shows he’s in mean form with the boot as well. I’ve just sat here for twenty minutes desperately trying to find another positive. I can’t. We’ve scored some points and Jonny is kicking goals. That’s it. That’s all we’ve got. But what have Bris got? 1 point, and claims they were unlucky to lose to Sale. In fairness, having a try disallowed because the ref wasn’t looking can be construed as harsh at the best of times. They seem to be throwing the ball about this season, although whether they’ve got the talent to do so is yet to be seen. They have some powerful runners in El-Abd, Alfie and Lemi that are all capable of causing problems. If we maintain our policy of hoofing long balls down the back 3’s throat, no doubt the Rocket-Man, as the Samoan is known, will be higher than a kite. Our Bristolian chums are bemoaning the ELVs allowing mauls to be brought down, depriving them of their best attacking option. Considering our own line out is effectively a lottery they may not moan that loudly. Hopefully, they will be wearing their white away shirts for Friday nights game, something the lesser of the two Richard Hills has blamed for their close defeat to Sale last Friday, saying “We gave away some silly penalties - particularly in the first half and particularly in attack…I'll tell you what it is - it's the white shirts…..When you've got a bright white shirt on at night under lights, that is the shirt that gets spotted first. I'm not being funny, it's a standard thing.” He stopped short of criticising the referee’s, instead choosing the RFU’s shirt choosing officer: “I don't blame the referee, I blame whoever decided to have us in white jerseys for these games”. In the absence of any starting line ups, (I’m happy to second guess Grindal, Dowson, Rudd and May will all start) all that remains is for me to wish the Falcons the best of luck in their biggest match of the season. No doubt a dwindling crowd will make as much noise as they can for 80 minutes and show the support that skipper Dowse and Tait have requested.

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Fabulous Friday - Falcons v Bristol Match Preview

Posted by: FalconsRugby.org.uk (IP Logged)

Date: 25/09/2008 08:03

Fabulous Friday - Falcons v Bristol Match Preview

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