Lost In the Supermarket (London Wasps 27 – 24 Bath)
By Andy Dowthwaite
October 10 2011
Bath lost a close game by a narrow margin at Wasps today. Sound familiar? Unfortunately, it does and if you have seen any of our games so far this season then you could probably write this match report as well and come up with a good summary of the tactics we used. If only the nags were as predictable as our game plan …
Yes, it’s true that we have quite a few players out injured or at the world cup and we gave a first start to a 19 year old academy player, but, these are still good skilful players who generally executed well and therefore this is not a key reason for losing again. My issue is that the players are let down by the one dimensional and un-ambitious tactics on show. What are we trying to do? We either do not trust the players to execute variations, (which is rubbish as they have plenty of skill and experience - you teach variety in school teams), do not trust a young fly-half, (but we play the same way with Sam Vesty), or we lack tactical awareness/creativity in the coaching team and are happy doing the basics. The scrum had a good edge in the first half and won clean ball (when Andrew Small wasn’t giving tit for tat penalties), the line out was generally good in blustery/windy conditions, the back row delivered turnovers and ensured we were only rarely turned over and presented the ball well to the backs whose passing was generally clean and of a very good standard. So with more than reasonable ball giving us plenty of possession why is our only tactic to pass the ball across the pitch for two or three phases and then repeat as necessary in the opposite direction.
Wasps knew what was coming (probably saw a part of the Leicester game on the ITV highlights) and as a result had a defensive line that pushed up quickly and together to smash into the ball carrier. Generally they had two tacklers waiting and as a result we had the usual high error count. This may be ball skills on some occasions but sheer percentages dictate that if you keep repeating the same move into a defence that knows what is coming you will have the ball knocked out of your hand, defences train to tackle the ball. I only once saw Biggsy coming off his wing looking for an inside ball against the flow of play (and this looked like his own initiative as it left the blindside open), but, Bendy couldn’t get the ball to him with a two man tackle. There were no overlaps as Wasps knew where the ball was going and put out a defensive line right across the pitch. There were no variation in the back moves when we have power in the centres and pace and skill in the back three.
Grumpy – yes, I had fifty minutes trying to leave Adam’s Park to simmer over this.
Anyway, the match report. Bath started brightly from the kick off putting Wasps under pressure immediately generating a penalty in the first couple of minutes. Tom Heathcote struck it cleanly and Bath were up 0 – 3. Unfortunately being the polite guests we are, we almost immediately gifted Robinson a return penalty 3 – 3. Kick off’s were a problem for both teams all day, the result of blustery conditions, and this one again allowed us to spend some time in the Wasps 22. After a quite a bit of side to side, what happened next?
- Scissors move surprised Wasps and saw one of the backs cut inside to score
- Passed to the backs who after four phases brought the ball back to where we started
- After 12 phases and five yards gained someone knocked on in contact
- Ryan gave away a penalty at the breakdown
On this occasion option 4 was the answer (think it was Ryan from a distance but to be fair I think this was his only penalty on the day). Wasps cleared their lines with a big kick from Robinson. Conceding another penalty from the line out gave Wasps a 6 – 3 lead.
Good work at one of the breakdowns turns over the ball from Wasps (Skirvs and Guy Mercer worked well all day) allowing some decent zig-zag up field progress (one better than side to side) but again the defence was resolute and the ball was knocked on in the tackle by Bath. Wasps won the scrum and moved up field. Their variation on backs moves is to chip over our defensive line and allowing Varndell and Wade (no shock there) to run onto the ball with outstanding speed. On this occasion after a poor clearance by Bendy, good pick up but kick under pressure, the ball was again chipped over for Wade, it took a lucky bounce after being half charged down and Wade collected the bouncing ball to score the first try. This guy has a side step as well as pace and could be very very good. Robinson converted 13 – 3.
From the kick off again Bath were again able to secure the ball in the Wasps 22 and after being held up short, clean ball allowed the Kane Train to drive through for a try. Tom Heathcote converted and its straight back to 13 -10.
Bath dominating possession at this point with the forwards again turning over possession allowing Biggsy to make a typical sharp run, in the process showing Wade a clean pair of heels (a 30 yard foot race between the two would be interesting). A following scrum was won cleanly to allow Williams to crash through the defence for a try, only for the ref to rule a knock on, utter tosh even from 90 yards away (and the help of the big screen) he clearly had it down first. The compensation was soon to be a penalty in front of the posts which was duly scored to level at 13 – 13.
Back in the Bath half after the kick off Wasps were able to deliver their most consistent pressure, unfortunately a missed tackle in the centre allowed an overlap which Wasps executed well to give Varndell an unopposed stroll into the corner. Robinson missed the kick, notably one of only two he missed in the conditions, to leave the score 18 – 13. Bath responded well again with further attacks in the Wasps half but after many phases Bendy threw an overly ambitious pass to Carraro which was either forward or knocked on. A mistake yes, but, the result of having to force the game in an attempt to break the line. This was the last real action of the half.
The start of the second half was similar to the first half, entertaining in its own way with the ball changing hands often and both teams keeping the ball moving, but a penalty to Wasps and two for Bath was all to show on the score board (though also one miss from Heathcote would indicate we had the edge), the score now 21 – 19.
A stroke of luck presented Bath with a great opportunity. Cuthbert (on for Williams who had a split lip) chipped the on rushing defence. Wasps made an absolute pigs ear of not collecting the ball and it bobbled its way from just inside the 22, through about half a dozen players, over the try line with Heathcote and Claassens the only players nearby but the young lad couldn’t control the ball and knocked on over the line. Curses all round.
Wasps turn now and a couple of penalties in quick succession extended their lead to 27 – 19 and not looking good as time ran down. However, the most redeeming quality at the moment is the ability to keep pressing strongly for the full 80 minutes. Following a line out just inside the Wasps 10 metre line a well executed rolling maul drove to within 15 metres of the line. After a couple of pick and go’s from the pack what happened next?
- Knocked on in contact
- Passed to the backs who after four phases brought the ball back to where we started
- Beastie and Ryan create a diversion by arguing over who will be the next receiver which fools Wasps allowing Guy Mercer to almost walk through for a try
- Ryan gave away a penalty at the breakdown
Option 3 this time. Good drive, good score. We should use that arguing diversion next time we are in the red zone, a bit of variety. Conversion missed but 27 – 24 with still a couple of minutes to go. Unfortunately kick off receipt was again poor and we were never able to regain meaningful possession and Bath lose again by a narrow margin.
I would definitely blame the dis-allowed try, “we was robbed”, but that’s part of the game, refs can’t see everything. The penalty count in scoring areas still hurts us, but, I think Wasps gave away more kickable penalties than Bath. Give credit to Nicky Robinson who was assured in his kicking and his conversion rate was better than 19 year old Tom Heathcote, but, not that much better. Wasps scored from their good fortune on the bouncing ball, we didn’t when we should have. I thought we had the better of possession and territory (though this is my subjective view) which gave us plenty of ball that was often quick, but where we lost the game was in what we didn’t do with that ball. No inside lines, poor use of dummy runners, no scrum half breaks from classy, no variation – predictable and too easy to defend, there was no uncertainty in the Wasps defence to slow them down.
This was the same pattern over and over again and for me relies on individuals to do something special – Williams broke the line a couple of times with his power, Dan Hipkiss uses that hand off very well but this isn’t enough when the opposition know exactly what you are going to do. Wasps also didn’t kick away loose ball to Bendy, one of our main attacking threats, and were more creative in using the pace of their wings.
Scratch that win up to Dai Young with better, albeit only marginally, tactics. Currently two teams that will not trouble the top 4.
If the bounce of the ball/ref’s decisions went our way and/or our kicking was perfect we could have won comfortably today but like Saracens, Gloucester, Leicester despite good possession and territory we didn’t. Give the players some tactics to make use of their skills and we won’t need the luck of the bounce/ref’s decisions to win. Look over the fence and give the team a personality and the ability to win despite fortune.
Good Points (after a calming glass of Scotland’s finest);
- Tom Heathcote – despite a few errors plenty of poise and skills to build on. Mr Donald should have an able pupil. Learn from the errors and move on.
- Ryan Caldwell – great work rate, less penalties, go to ball carrier
- Guy Mercer – everywhere (ably assisted by Skirvs)
- Dave Attwood – improving from game to game, carrying ball more
- Kane Train – strong first half in the scrum, good ball carrier, another try (think he is already ahead of Flats’ career total)
- Dan Hipkiss – stepping up to provide some leadership in the backs, more please
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:10:14:19:03:25 by Glen The Ed.
I only have one question - which of Scotland's finest did you use to work the miracle!?
And I'd like to point out that, despite Andy sending me this last night and me only putting it up this morning, he has still beaten the Offy to a proper report!
Very perceptive on our dismal paucity of creativity.
HOP FIDGET
Heathcote did make some mistakes as did other players. My issue is that the repetitive tactics of the team put the players in positions where above average errors are almost inevitable.
Some of these errors will be skill based, accept they have happened and learn from them so as not to be repeated. Missed touches in windy conditions is an easy mistake when looking for every yard of territory (Bendy did it as well) and for me only a problem if an adjustment isn't made.
However, we also need to vary the tactics in response to forced errors. At the moment we make errors in contact as we seem to seek this out. In protecting the ball, players are going into tackles with both hands firmly wrapped about the ball, (when was the last offload we saw). There are then no options. As the attack becomes predictable the defence will easily focus on the ball carrier making errors even more likely, then requiring even tighter control of the ball and so it spirals.
Macallan by the way.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:10:10:12:59:38 by OldmanofDorset.
Good to see a number of Bath fans travelled up plus some old mates from the "Walk for Matt 2011"
Wonderful report Andy, well done mate.
= Mr Small
Great pictures..
Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done.