'PATHETIC' PERFORMANCE FROM BEATEN BRIS
Notts Crest
By Adrian Crosby
November 4 2012
A match in which either everything went right for Nottingham or everything went wrong for Bristol the visitors were crushed 63 - 7. In a season-defining game BRistol demonstrated a total inability to contain the Notts pack and a total inabilty to work out a way through the defence until the very end. Even more disappointing than the 80-pointer against Worcester and well up there with B**H and Sale. Gray Lensman predicted the Bedford win and then predicted a heavy defeat against today's opponents. I dread to think what he thinks will happen against Jersey!
The early action was played at great pace with Bristol, if anything, looking the stronger side. Perhaps a sign of the debacle to come saw the excellent Arlidge make a sudden break when the initial tackle was missed. A penalty went their way and it was mauled over the line from the resulting lineout with ominous ease for a 7- 0 start. Bristol managed to keep themselves under pressure when a lineout was picked up by Notts and Merriman was penalised with the hosts driving for the line. Another lineout and another catch and drive. Bristol had no answer and Shaw was over for a converted try and 14 – 0.
Things went from bad to worse when Tagicakibau failed to claim a high kick from Roberts and Notts were able to race away with the ball and Duffey was in for another try and 21 – 0 with less than half an hour gone. Bristol tried to put some moves together but a penalty let Arlidge clear down to the Bristol 22. Once again the catch-and-drive. Once again Bristol had no answer to the forward onslaught. A penalty to the hosts, but the maul was still driven on. The only way to halt the inexorable drive was to pull it down and Glynn saw a yellow card. More of the same from Nottingham from the penalty and this time it was the bonus point try with Wilson’s second. 28-nil and Bristol utterly stunned.
Or perhaps not as Eadie managed a good break up to the hosts 22. A penalty to Bristol sent to touch and a catch and drive. The Bristol forwards made a bit of ground before a second drive took them close to the line and a 5 metre scrum. However, with a forward off the pitch the scrum struggled and Bristol could make nothing of it.
Were we to see a stirring comeback like the one at Leeds? Were we b*****y. At first it seemed possible when Bristol took play down to within ten metres of the Nottingham line but a pre-planned move went clumsily wrong to let Notts off. Still Bristol pressed, but poor awareness meant a loose ball was picked up by Nottingham as Bristol failed to react.
Bristol continued to seek a way through the Nottingham defence but lack a cutting edge or any imagination. A penalty went the visitor’s way and bravely they chose to take the scrum. Their boldness failed to be rewarded as possession was turned over. Bristol managed to wrest back control of the ball but a frustrated and rather foolish kick ahead from Roberts promptly handed hard-won ball back to Nottingham and Crane raced the length of the pitch to score, despite the attentions of Tovey who gamely tried to chase him down. 35 – 0 after Arlidge’s conversion.
Nottingham were utterly rampant now and Bristol’s pack were driven back almost at will. Bristol were penalised and predictably the ball went to touch. A good drive and Bristol penalise, but the ball was already away and a deft kick ahead, another converted try. Things went from worse to humiliating when some poor handling gifted away the ball and Nottingham took full advantage for Crane to go in out wide. This was tricky conversion, but on a day like this Arlidge was never going to miss. There was plenty of time left in the match but hardly any had passed when the hosts were in again as pathetic defence waved them in for yet another converted try and 56 – 0. Was there another way for Bristol to contrive to let Nottingham in? oh yes a hopelessly overthrown lineout and Callidine romped over to take it to 63 – 0.
Merriman was then yellow-carded to reduce Bristol to 14 men for the second time in the match. He probably hoped he wouldn’t have to come back on! But at last there was some ‘good’ news for Bristol when a kick ahead from Tipuna was seized by the scrum-half and he touched down beneath the posts. Jarvis drop-kicked the conversion and one of the most embarrassing Bristol performances at least had some points on their side of the board.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:11:11:19:07:30 by SenorJuan.
Having followed on the radio, the adjective seems mild to me.
Quote:In that case i totally agree, i thought you were being similar to the poster above.BishopBenj
I was being tongue-in-cheek after other threads pointing out what sensitive individuals the players are - after all 'pathetic' is being used in the official 'unofficial match report'.
Having followed on the radio, the adjective seems mild to me.
I didn't see today's game, but I've been at pretty much every one of the others. We have a pack that, under a new scrum coach, seems to have discovered the skill of going backwards. We have taken a backline of really significant talent and promise, and, by a combination of players out of position, not seemingly having any idea who our first choice line up is, and "coaching", turned them into a group who appear to have met up 15 minutes before kick off. Add to this that we appear to have few if any players with the ability to grab a game by the scruff of the neck and change where its headed, and you have us where we are now - a team which at best is going to avoid the relegation dog-fight, and at worst is going to be seriously looking at relegation.
I have always had respect for Liam Middleton, but its getting hard to swallow the cliches now. We changed the way we play rugby 3/4 of the way through last season, and blew a golden chance at promotion. This season we have no invention, no thought, and no idea how to play rugby successfully at this level.
The time has come for us to front up if we are genuinely serious about being a big club. We need a new coaching team, with a proven track record (not necessarily at prem level) and we need to change the atmosphere within the squad. This season is going to come to nothing - we have to think about building for next season. Those who thought London Welsh were going to tamely limp back down and lie down while we take their place have been shown to be a million miles off target. Whoever comes down is going to be another Newcastle - good squad, battle hardened, and parachute payments to spare.
Its time for a change at the top. We are out of our depth, and its embarrassing. I still believe we have a team which, with everyone fit, and properly coached, can compete for our place in the sun. But we are not just in an unlucky streak - our approach is rotten, and it needs to be changed, or we need to accept that we are a small club that once dreamed it was a big club.
have continued in the same vein.Wheres the passion on the field? I've watched approximately 50% of the home matches
this season and the same last
There was one peachy moment: a breakaway try following a sprint the length of the pitch. Trouble is, it was Notts who scored!!
The main problem on the pitch seems to be with the forwards' play, although the half backs looked well out of sorts yesterday, as well.