Chiefs shrink to 2nd after a soaking in Bath
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By Exeforever
September 18 2011
Exeforever gives a personl view of both on and off field matters at the Rec.
Chiefs shrink to second after being soaked in Bath
Bath Rugby 23 Exeter Chiefs 19
I posted on Friday that I’d settle for a losing bp and so we had to. Overall I think that was a fair result. It was always going to be a match of our forwards versus their backs as, with our missing three quarters, we were unlikely to pose a meaningful threat behind the scrum. Sadly this was demonstrated as time after time we went sideways or backwards and ended up kicking possession away in the hope that one of the Bath back three would knock on or miss the ball. Against players of Abendanon’s class that is so often a recipe for disaster. Thankfully, however, our backs’ consistent tackling of the highest order restricted Bath to only two tries. That, and our dominance in the scrum turned what could have been a rout into a cliff-hanger which, but for the bounce of the ball, we could have sneaked at the death. It was a great game.
That, I think, is the sum total of the good things that can be said about both the game and the entire Bath experience.
I last visited the appropriately named (W)rec(k) 23 years ago and it will be more than that before I go there again. How PRL/RFU can allow a club to expose spectators to a steady soaking when they only need to put on a canvas - and hence removable - roof such as Moseley, Plymouth etc can manage beggars comprehension. The umbrella which the lady next to me needed (she had come without a raincoat despite the forecast and the prevailing weather(!!)) obscured my view of about one third of the pitch. I did not visit the portaloos having had previous experience of how insanitary such facilities can be but comments on the board indicate that they were as bad as was to be expected.
Equally incomprehensible was being made to walk half way around the town when the Sports Club entrance gave onto a huge open field from which we could easily have walked to the far end of the Novia “stand” and from the Sports Club end we were able to leave with no problem at all.
The exit from the car parking was the predictable nightmare, 50 minutes to drive 300 yards. Where is their dedicated park and ride such as ours at Westpoint??
I strongly urge those who complain about the facilities at Sandy Park to make a trip by car to a Bath home game from which they should return suitably chastened and grateful for what we have.
To compound the experience the Exeter “supporter” sitting behind me mixed up the identities of several of our players, knew nothing of the laws nor understood the simplest of the Ref’s signals. None of this stopped him expressing his views loudly and offering his advice freely to the team on how to play the game. Rugby is a very broad church and welcomes all comers but until you know what you’re talking about it is better to say nothing than to make yourself look a complete idiot. Even those of us who played know that the game has moved on and that modern tactics and decision making are massively advanced and different from the way the game was played 40 years ago.
On the playing front we desperately need cover at full back and centre/wing threequarter (in addition to getting Camacho). I would not, for a moment, question the effort put in by Messrs Dollman, Rennie nor Sestaret but the skill levels required have moved up a gear this year and it doesn’t look as if we have the requisite strength in depth across the backs. Mieres, Jessie and Shoemark were exemplary but the lack of penetration in the threes cost us the game. In the forwards Ben White must be pushing Scays or Richie for a starting berth. James Philips may be the sorcerer’s apprentice but he’s not the sorcerer yet. Haydn chose a bad day to have his least effective game for some time. The front row were superb and the fact that McGeechan is moaning about the way Mr Rose reffed the scrum shows how badly we beat them up. On the evidence to date we have the best scrum in the Prem at present and we need to build on that against both Wasps and Saracens over the next two weeks.
Eight points from the next three games would represent a thoroughly satisfactory start to the season: where we currently are in the table won’t signify in seven months, but points in the bag will still be there next May.
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Sorry about our Ground - you may not be aware but we have been trying to get planning permission for about 2000 years. Our new owner is desperate to improve things, but is meeting stiff resistance form Bath Residents who are not willing to allow any building work in their presitgeous city. We (the fans) don't want to leave the centre for whatis a great place - when the sun shines!
As for the game - agree with you about our scrum, but other than that, I think we beat you on every other aspect. Good game to watch and I was sitting next to 2 of your tribe, very nice people - gracious in defeat - see you at Sandy Park!
I was happy Thatchers terrace had a proper bar and toilets, must be miserable in the winter tho.
I think we have to be pleased with a LBP given yesterday's performance but it just shows how far the Chiefs have come when we come away from Bath feeling dissapointed that we didn't get a win 
One stat I picked up from an ESPN screen - Chiefs made 92 tackles but missed 23! We're improving but still have plenty to work on.
Whilst I agree that the Rec is in an idyllic setting, unfortunately it no where meets the same idyllic standards, the potential for being drowned and thoroughly drenched at probably 50% of the home games definately does not appeal to me, at least it was reasonably warm yesterday.
Some should also note that the beer prices were at the same level as at SP, and if we were to serve up a real ale that was most definately sour, you'd have something to complain about.
Still the rugby was what we went for and I also believe that the LBP was actually all we deserved from yesterday's performance, although there were some positives: the front row's dominance, the great defence at times and the odd chink of light from the backs, and I'm sure if the final chip kick had reached its target with more luck in the bounce, then I'm sure I'd be saying that we deserved the win. It's great to see the guys fighting to the end, as they have done in all 3 matches so far this season.
Bring on the Waspies, shame I'll not be there.
It was disappointing that TJ missed the tackle but he wins more games for us than most.
Echoing Exe's comments it was interesting to listen to Austin Healy's ESPN comments. Speaking to Sir Ian about the rich owner being able to buy who they want and diplomatically for AH issues around the ground/weather. The new owner did get a lot of air time, why is it that he can command so much TV time and not get a roof for his loyal support. Bath do get a substantial sum, more money from PRU than Chiefs none of it aimed at their loyal fans. All these planning permission issues do what Wasps do only for a season play at a football ground. Then see the cafe's and businesses waiver and the council will soon give them permission.
I'm sorry that the loyal Bath fans who are hardy and used to this yet still enjoy there rugby, maybe this is not an issue for them? Bath have been in existence for 146 years and have been a top club for as long as I can remember yet...
Back to rugby in the match Bath played well better than the Chiefs and deserved the win. When the play us at home will make them feel welcome,
Did you know a human can hold its breath on average for approximately 8 minutes, 8 minutes is up is there any change?
Quote:viva
The issue with the ground isn't to do with the council rorky, it's to do with the charity commission since the land was left as a charitable trust. The council support development and Bruce Craig would certainly put money into a better ground if he could. Also there is no practical football ground avaialable for us to move to.
Thanks for the information Viva, whatever the issue supporters at the "rec" are going to get a soaking when raining. Unless you are Bruce Craig who looked rather fetching in his white open neck shirt and immaculate hair.
I agree that the ground is unacceptable and I have been soaked and frozen many a time sat in the open stand. There have been issues rumbling on for years that stop any development and improvements are difficult too. I don't think Bruce Craig will be as 'patient' as the previous regime though. He isn't shy at showing off his money, as you noted from his dress sense.
cheers
My take on it, for what it is worth, posted just after watching the recorded game late on Saturday night/Sunday morning….
Quote:PhilW2010Quote:50pointer
Totally agree ExTeddChief, not one of our best performances, too many missed tackles and mistakes, we were a bit fortunate to get the pen try but also Bath were very fortunate to get their 2nd try, (IMO the ball was not grounded) but I would've taken a LBP before KO.
Agreed - The ball certainly wasn't grounded in one move...& I reckon Budgie dislodged the ball, so it wasn't controlled.
Not so sure I agree with the comment that Bath were the better team ??
We were on top at the scrum, & the line-outs were 50/50.
I thought James Phillips played very well, but both him & scays were getting a bit too "involved" at times?
And I thought Chris whitehead played his socks off!
Thomas didn't have the best of games!
And it won't be too often that TJ misses 4/5 important tackles in a game!
Makes you wonder had TJ been on top form... would he have gathered the ball from Nacho's lovely chip in the final seconds...& pulled off yet another fantastic victory?
I think we really missed Naqer, and could not work out why the chiefs kept kicking long from inside their own half...only to see Abendanon run it back at speed himself or release Biggs who threatened to break through our line every time he got the ball?
All in all it was a gutsy performance from the guys...& at times they showed exactly why they are where they are in the league.
Great result, coming away with a LBP was no easy task.
As for your comment -
Quote:I strongly urge those who complain about the facilities at Sandy Park to make a trip by car to a Bath home game from which they should return suitably chastened and grateful for what we have.
Well, you make a valid point of course - I am well aware of what watching a game at the rec involves in terms of the facilities, which is why I would choose not to make that one of the few away matches we can attend!
But you can not, and should not, be over critical about bath Rugby Club when it comes to the facilities, or rather the lack of them, at the recreation ground!
As has been pointed out already in previous posts by some of the Bath Guys - Bath Rugby club do not own the Recreation ground…pretty sure they lease it from north Somerset District Council?
I think it was around 2000/2001 that a court decided that the "ownership" of the land was by Charitable trust & the council were trustee?
Pretty sure Bath have a long term lease on part of the ground? But they need a much larger area for the capacity needed for premiership Rugby…so I think they lease this "extra land" separately?
Anyone that has experience in dealing with organisations such as the Charity commission, Councils, The National Trust etc, or has listed buildings, will appreciate what a complete nightmare it must be for Bath to make any sort of headway in negotiations to sort out a long term solution!!
And I have never said that we are "ungrateful" for what we have at SP…just that there is room for improvement & at times it appears that the board are not really interested in what their supporters & the public think!!!!!!
Be sure to treat every day on this earth as if it were your last...one day you will be right. (Jethro)
Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 2011:09:19:15:23:36 by PhilW2010.
On the playing front. I'd say the honours were just about even. Bath margionally better in the back dept but outplayed in the Scrum. The line outs were as said before 50/50 and having seen the try, I also think Budgy dislodged it. So a LSP is maybe fair and not coming away with 4 is that fair too?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:09:19:14:36:47 by Seaside Chief.
Will get a beer in for you should you travel down to Sandy Park.
