MM3 - Bristol Win Close Encounter

By Glen Leat
April 8 2007

After being hammered in the last two Moz Matches, Bath took the game to Bristol and the score was very close right up to the end until a couple of late Bristol tries took the score to 38-53. Despite the disappointment at losing, Bath played a full part in an enjoyable match to watch.

 

Picture courtesy Jules

Two early Bath tries and some powerful forward play by the home team caught Bristol on the back foot but they soon recovered their composure to ensure there would be no reversal this year. Bristol were well marshalled by their excellent fly-half, Kier Chestney, who I would nominate as my man of the match. Chestney's general distribution of the ball kept his side moving forward but it was his conversion kicking that really impressed. This standard summed up the play in general with both packs playing not just with enthusiasm but with the sort of passion and commitment you would expect of players representing "their" clubs.

Picture courtesy Jules

Despite Bath losing their skipper of the last two games Matt "Cerberus" Pearce to injury late in the day, brother Jim "Bubsy" Pearce did the family proud with an all round rousing display and general leadership. The Bath Pack was awesome and set up the early tries with their tireless running and driving and there was no doubt we were watching a team of much higher quality than in previous years.

Late Bath  replacement scrum-half, Giles "Optimist" White, belied his age throughout the first half with a display worthy of a man of (many) younger years (sorry Giles) and despite trying to knock the head off an opponent, fly-half Dan Fair showed himself as a player with talent. Mind you it wouldn't be a derby match if there wasn't a bit of handbags flying would it.

Young winger, Lee Heath, was put under pressure in the first half with several high balls that took some defending and he did exceptionally well to master the "Big Brisslers" bearing down on him. Similarly Rob Platt showed himself to be a safe pair of hands at full-back and it was only a shockingly awkward bounce of the ball at the end of the game which beat him. Don't worry Rob, Matt Perry would have struggled with that one!

Picture courtesy Jules

Special credit must go to the two Bath centres, Steve Gilson and Freddy Burgess, whose running and breaking through the strong Bristol defence was great to watch. That they always gained ground, kept possession and set up their team mates for extra phases whilst under great pressure says a great deal about their rugby skills.

I really can't do justice in a few words to the quality of play from all the players on both sides. As ever Bristol were big and strong, showing pace that did for Bath in the final 10 minutes and they are a credit to their club. Well played boys.

Picture courtesy Jules

Final mention must go to Jim "Gussie" Carter and Matt Clark. As ever they have done their friend proud by organising an event which ensures Tim Morris is not forgotten and brings together two clubs with a proud history of playing tough, uncompromising derby matches. Well done both of you.

Picture courtesy Jules

Final, final thanks must go to everyone who played some part in making this event so special. Without doubt rugby people are special people!

See you all next year at The Mem.

PS - I didn't get my late five minutes this year because the game was too close to let a old bloke like me on. Also the Bris lads looked a bit tough and these old bones wouldn't have taken the sort of gip being dished out. That's me retired for good now.