In Bristol no-one can hear you scream.
By Wildwillie
January 20 2013
It has been a long time since Carnegie spanked Bristol at Headingley Carnegie stadium in the autumn. At least it feels like a long time since the lads put in a perfect 40 minutes of attacking rugby. On the other hand I am willing to bet that the Bristol players have not forgotten it and will be well up for the return next Friday at the Memorial Ground........
The league table, after the last round of Championship fixtures shows us in 4th place, Bristol in 6th with the Pirates tucked in between. I believe that we are the three sides who will fight it out for the 4th play-off place. This week the Pirates are at Newcastle whilst we are at Bristol. It is interesting to note from the table that Bristol have actually conceded more points than us in the first 13 games of this campaign.
| 4 | Leeds Carnegie | 13 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 377 | 317 | 38 |
| 5 | Cornish Pirates | 13 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 242 | 222 | 35 |
| 6 | Bristol | 13 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 311 | 324 | 33 |
Given that we have put in some shocking defensive performances then the Bristol supporters must approach every game with the same alacrity as we do. That said I have seen some decent defence mixed in with the dross. It goes without saying that we need to win this fixture. Bristol will not roll over like they did at HC.
As always the forwards need to front up to Bris, especially if Mr Nasty is propping for them. Rob Baldwin seems to have settled into young Beck's shirt & has added beef to the pack. Rob, Buzz and Jacob will all need to put in a full shift if we are to secure enough ball for the backs to do their job.
We may well be without the services of Rory Clegg at Bristol as Quins have an LV Cup game the following day and it is my understanding that he is required for such games. This means that the now well rested Joe Ford will have to have a stormer. Decent ball for the threequarters plus half the possession will be enough, in my view, to give us a decent chance of a win.
We have had too many upsets this season for me to predict with any confidence. My heart tells me that we can win this game. My head tells me that we are likely to make silly mistakes, miss tackles and take the wrong options but will be there or thereabouts at the final whistle. Losing bonus point at worst, scintillating win a remote possibility.
C'mon Leeds!
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:01:30:18:08:36 by Wildwillie .
The Victoria on the Gloucester Road for me pre-match rather than the Welly. Then the lofty height of a box (hope Ronnie's not hosting it as he was out of his tree last time out).
Be warned - the Gas's game was cancelled due to the weather yesterday. Although I understand the snow this week is to hit the eastern side of the country rather than the west.
And warning #2 the nephew's coming - he's never seen Leeds win. Always a first time. So's Tutu squaring up to Hobo - and I can't wait for that.
Miserati - and Proud to be!
This game will test my theory that we only look good when the poor quality of the opposition allows us to.
On the offy DE claims that we are improving, we'll have a better idea after this game whether that is true or if we're just in the same old routine of boom and bust.
With 2 sides as unpredictable as Leeds and Bristol, it's just about impossible to predict but if we go to the Mem, boss the game and come away with the points then maybe, just maybe I'll allow myself to beleive we are making progress.
[www.thisisbristol.co.uk]
Weather permitting it should be a great game.
Gutted not to be going, hope all those who are have a reat evening!
we do have a terrible points against, but take out our worst three scores (away at you, notts & pirates) & it isn't so bad, so either we conced loads or not many
