Previous encounters with the men from Rotherham

Crucial try
By Duncan Wood
January 2 2003

Bristol and Rotherham met twice in the 2000-1 Premiership season. Bristol emerged victorious on both occasions but the two games were very tight and Rotherham pushed Bristol all the way. Sunday's cup tie could be just as tight.

Rotherham and Bristol last met when both were in the Premiership back in the 2000-1 season.

In fact Bristol were the very first opponents for Rotherham in the top flight, travelling up to Clifton Lane on August 20th 2000.

It's a mute point as to whether it was a good thing to travel up to Rotherham this early in the season. On the one hand, the weather was considerably more hospitable than it would be later in the season. On the other hand, this was Rotherham's big day and they were determined to start life in the Premiership with a win.

It turned out to be a very tough game and Bristol would have been delighted to leave Yorkshire with the win.

Bristol triumphed 23-20 thanks to 6 penalties from Gareth Bowen and a try from Dean Dewdney but had to sweat it out as Mike Umaga missed a very kickable penalty in injury time which would have levelled the scores.

Indeed, Bristol actually trailed 20-12 midway through the second half and it took a moment of inspiration from Agustin Pichot to turn the tide. He took a quick tap penalty and moved the ball on to Eduardo Simone whose pass to Dewdney wasn't the best but the scrum half turned winger made it in at the corner.

The return fixture at the Memorial Stadium was on November 18th. Rotherham were bottom of the table and Bristol weren't that far above them so Rotherham targetted this game as a must win if they were to start closing the gap.

Bristol were lacking Pichot and Contepomi and the game threatened to become a goalkicking duel between Steve Vile and Luke Smith. However, Ben Sturnham scored a great try and Bristol looked well set at the interval with a 16-6 lead.

However, Rotherham struck back immediately and Mike Umage scored on a great angled run and Luke Smith levelled matters with another penalty.

Steve Vile responded with 2 of his own and Gareth Baber scored a sublime blindside try featuring a lovely dummy. Rotherham struck back with a catch and drive lineout try but Bristol hung on 31-21.

Both games were very tight and I'd be surprised if Sunday was any different!