Playing In Memory Of Moz - Match Preview

By Glen Leat
May 11 2005

We anticipate Cup Finals like Christmas as an eight year-old. Most are wonderful though some consist of nothing more than a rotten orange, scabby nut and out of date sugar mouse concealed in one of Dad's old army socks on the end of the bed. However, forget Cup Finals. Think The Moz Match!

 

The gladiators of Bath pit themselves against the salty sea dogs of Bristol in a game that, by it's very existence, will do justice to the memory of the man we will all be thinking about come five-fifteen on Saturday evening - Tim Morris.

Having supported Bath and followed Bristol it is fitting that all previous rivalries are put to one side as friends of Tim and those who knew, but never met Moz, gather together in the ultimate sporting combat - rugby. It is a moment all the Bath players(sic) will cherish as they play 10, 20 30 or more minutes on the hallowed turf of The Rec. Opposition supporters may criticise our less than perfect facilities but it is the home of Bath Rugby and has been for some hundred years: you only have to follow the blue, black and white to envy these lads and wonder whether your joints wouldn't have stood up to just a few minutes.

Both sides are confident leading up to the game, but perhaps that has more to do with the fact that they know nothing about the opposition and have a blind faith in their ability to play like their heroes (be they Bath or Bristol professionals) just because they are on a professional pitch. The bookies aren't taking bets on the score, though they will give you odds on who will be sick first.

But who is the secret weapon each team will wheel out cometh the hour?

Clearly the Bristol skipper, Mr Bow Jangles, looks fit and strong, judging by his picture on the Messageboard, but perhaps more worryingly he looks young. Bath is relying more on experience, though whether a scrum half in his mid-forties is classed as experienced or decrepit is anyone's guess! Bath captain Gussieboy is taking a leaf out of Jonathan Humphrey's book by keeping himself back from the initial skirmish in the hope he can watch from the sidelines as he prowls around the technical area and then join the throng to rouse his mates when needed. Rumour has it that Matt Clark has had his knee caps stapled to his legs with an industrial nail gun and one just hopes the visitors don't take an industrial strength magnet with them otherwise Matt will be left hanging from the posts like the famous rag-doll.

Bath cleverly ensured this game clashed with Bristol's long haul up to Otley, obviously hoping that some of the stars from the terraces would be in Yorkshire, not Somerset. They've also flown the giant Fatback over from the States to add weight to the pack.

There is some concern that Rolfs Cartoon Club will be caught doodling in the backs when he should be defending. A cry of "Do you know what it is yet?" will not be accepted as an excuse should the Brizzlers sneak past him on his blind side.

Most ERE'ers are confident that their side will be well marshalled in the first half as Cerberus2005 wears the skippers armband but there is a real fear that once Bubsy takes control the game will turn in to a disco, with the Bath forwards enjoying a bit too much disco fever! Wait until the game's over Bubs then you can dance the night away with the Moz trophy as your partner.

This is an occasion not to be missed. It starts at 17.15 after the warm-up game, Bath -v- Leeds so make sure you are there.

My prediction? Bath 30 - Bristol 29