Get Down To The Mem - Its Gonna Be a Scorcher!
By Trewbear on 27/1/2003
February 4 2003
It was a hard one this one. Writing a match preview ahead of the first competitive game in nearly a month would always be a difficult one. So with great thanks, we welcome this week our guest previewer from the West Country, the one, the only, its Trewbear!
Whether holidaying in Belgium, working in Pizza Hut or just moping around trying to catch the three minutes a week of action on Rugby (Not Very) Special, you need to get down to the Mem on Sunday, because Bristol Shoguns v Leeds Tykes will be the best club game in the Zurich Premiership so far this season!
Both teams are relative new boys in the league and this time, have everything to play for. The Tykes have just regained their form with good wins against Bath and the Borders (albeit a friendly) and need to keep their momentum going to secure a deserved top of the table place at the end of the season. Bristol desperately needs a win to continue their pull away from the dreaded relegation spot. The uncertainty off the field has brought the team closer together on it.
Sizzling Back Play and Strong Packs
Bristol Shoguns have only lost once in the ZP since November. This is largely due to the arrival of Daryl Gibson who has tightened up their defence play along the back line. Collectively they have played some excellent stuff recently and are more of a try scoring threat than when the teams met at Headingley in November.
 George's Comeback Day? |
Hopefully George Harder will be back in the starting line up, which will be a real plus for the Tykes and their supporters. Both teams have solid play from their packs. Cammie played a blinder against Bath. Though there have been question marks against the props on both sides recently on the message boards, this should only add to the intrigue of this much awaited game.
Will the enforced rest do Tykes good?
A lot depends on whom Bristol can put out after the parade of the walking wounded at the Leinster game and whether the rest period makes Tykes eager, or causes a lack of match sharpness.
The forecast doesn't look too promising, but we should all hope the weather is good so that the ball gets out to the backs for an exciting and attacking game. Look forward to seeing you all.
There, didn’t mention God2 on the wing once.....Doh!
Editor's Notes:
1Sorry, I'm afraid
Trewbear's partisanship got the better of her here. I think she meant "A
half-decent southern-hemisphere partnership at half-back".
2Bit of terminology crossover here. She means
Diego, if you didn't know.....