Sam was key

By Adrian Laws
September 4 2011

Okay, 6.30 on a Sunday evening and not long back from Newcastle. No doubt you guys have already gone into some depth re the salient points of our positive start to the season, so I’m just going to add some commentary here.

The fixture gods were not kind to us. Standing at the bar before kick off, it doesn’t seem that long since we were doing this last time out. Actually, this is our 3^rd successive premiership fixture against the Falcons. I know many of the faithful who rate the trip to Kingston Park as one of their favourite away games of the season but, coming only four months since the last trip –and with the cost of a season ticket in the interval – the blue, black and white was in short supply up in the north. But, we did our best to make ourselves heard amongst what I thought was the most spirited Kingston Park crowd I’ve heard for a long time.

But there were only something like 3,600 in there. The first home game of the season, and less than 4,000 through the gate. It’s not a good sign. Talking with Falcons supporters before and after the game there is very much a feeling that this season is starting where the last one left off and the threat of relegation is as real now as it was when Bath last visited Kingston Park. Yes, there have been major changes in the Falcons playing squad over the summer, but it seems there is still a way to go to boost the confidence of the supporter base.

So, the game.  In many ways a not unfamiliar season opener. Some nerves, a few wayward and dropped passes, the odd charged down box kick but nothing to lose sleep over. The real revelation came after 16 minutes when an entirely new dimension was added to Bath’s game. The ball swings back to Vesty who swings at it calmly and slots a seemingly easy 3 points. The drop goal is once again in the Bath armoury.

In fact, Sam had a very good night all round. With only eight minutes on the clock it was Sam who broke through the Falcons hesitant defence and found Matt Carraro on his shoulder to run in the only try of the game. And it was Sam’s boot that ensured the scoreline stayed constantly out of the Falcons’ reach.

Jimmy Gopperth had taken 9 points for the Falcons during the first half and the lesson was learned by Bath in the second period. Keep the penalty count down, and the game is there for the winning. The Falcons came at the Bath line time and again, but could not find a gap. When Jack Cuthbert ushered a late Falcons break into touch, the game was won. Newcastle Falcons 9, Bath Rugby 22.

A hugely impressive defensive effort; a great display from our fly half; a dominant pack; a nice walk on the beach at Druridge Bay. Yep, a successful weekend. But I hope the pessimism of the Falcons supporters is misplaced. The programme notes reveal a hope that the Falcons will be able to capitalise on the sides weakened by players out at the World Cup. It didn’t work tonight. It will have to start working soon, or this fantastic fixture might be lost to the premiership and that would be a terrible shame.

Groundhog Day

Discussion started by BathRugbyEre.co.uk , 04/09/2011 19:30

BathRugbyEre.co.uk
04/09/2011 19:30

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:09:10:22:25:22 by Susanne.

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Peasedown Exile
04/09/2011 19:49

Great report. Sam had one of his best game in a Bath shirt. Now for Sarries.

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Blocks2u
04/09/2011 20:46

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gaz909
05/09/2011 11:52

sound and solid result, very good start in what could have been a very tricky first game but lets not run away with ourselves - compare and contrast other results

any top 4/5 side would expect to beat newcastle away but exeter and wasps had real stand out results and quins was impressive also

but line out looked particualrly good from highlights and results, especially liked the try, good quick ball off the top, vesty taking fast, flat at pace throughthe gap and carraro on his shoulder - training pitch execution, great to see

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Grewsome
05/09/2011 13:35

It was an alright performance against a poor team we were expected to beat.
I'd like to think we only played well enough to win, and not as well as we can.
Bit worried that the scrum looked under pressure at times, but we looked good at the breakdown and lineout was secure.

Hope they all realise they will have to raise their game for sarries, but at least we start with a win.

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Dougie15
05/09/2011 17:29

Good enough for the first game, job done.
Problem for Falcons if they do go down would they ever come back ?

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Hamptonite
05/09/2011 18:18

As Danny Grewcock said to me afterwards - 'OK, but plenty to work on', so I think they understand the requirement to step up in the next 2 games!

I thought both the scrum and line out looked solid and KPN certainly had the best of his side. Flats was done once for lack of bind etc, but aside from that it was sound!

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