Bath To Get Back On Track Against Sarries?
By David “Jack” Horner aka “Bath Fan Jack”
December 30 2004
The first Zurich Premiership game at the Rec since the defeat of London Irish with the neutered Catt on 28th November will be memorable not least for the fact that at least at this game, unlike the earlier fixture played at Franklin Gardens, one of the teams really will be the “Home” team.
After the, by all accounts well deserved loss at Stockport, I am sure that the team will be looking forward to putting on a winning display in front of a capacity crowd at the Rec. A crowd no doubt bubbling over from the excesses of New Year’s Eve celebrations with heavy heads still ringing with “Auld Lang Syne” and New Years Resolutions and then nicely returned to the boil with the odd pre-match glass and several “lucky pasties”.
This match, and I guess with only ten games of this
league left to play it probably applies to every match, takes on some added
significance because of the other fixtures going on around it.
Saracens who since professional rugby started have never really fulfilled
their potential are once again too near the bottom for their own comfort.
Although they are in 8th place their points haul of 23 only
puts them one win and a draw away from Worcester on 17 points.
With the Warriors playing London Irish at home this weekend who would bet
that the gap might have significantly narrowed by Saturday evening.
Also with Saints in 11th place and 18 points playing Leeds 9th
and 21 points it is likely if our result follows form and expectations that the
“Fez Heads” will be sucked further into the relegation mire – something we
know only too well!
With tough matches for those teams ahead and just behind us
it could be a great opportunity for the faithful to be further celebrating on
Saturday evening. Sale, now 4
points ahead of us, have to travel to Newcastle – never an easy place to go
and win, the Tigers are being entertained by the inhabitants at Castle Grim, and
with Gloucester one point behind us and Leicester a massive 15 points ahead of
us I suppose I find myself cheering, albeit reluctantly for the “Cheaters”.
Wasps have to go and play Quins, which could mean the “The Pastel
Shades” are bottom of the league or could even move above Sarries – which is
where we came in.
At this stage we obviously hope Olly Barkley has recovered
from his back twinges, something I have also been suffering from although mine
have been caused by a surfeit of turkey, Christmas pudding and port and settling
down for another dose of “Bridge over the River Kwai” and then dropping off
to sleep in an awkward position!
Alec Crocket is also expected to be fit and so Bath should have no excuses on the injury front as the squad gradually return to fitness.
Saracens are also reported to have no fitness worries however it is interesting to note that 51% of their supporters (poll of 528) voted their performance in the 8 – 8 draw with Quins at 4 out of 10. However the result at the Frankenstein was 30 – 37 for what was also an away game for Sarries so it is certain to be a close and hard fought game.
In the current vernacular, and particularly to extend the modern phrases of our occasional correspondent, Mr Coochie Coo – “bring it on”.