Bath vs Newcastle

The biggest fixture of the weekend.

Should be easy for Bath, home advantage quality players in every position, on paper Newcastle don't stand a chance.

So why am I worried?

Last weekend we played really well against Exeter, ok it wasn't their 1st choice team but you can only play what’s in front of you, so this weekend Bath should be confident of a comfortable victory against the Jeffs basement club, but how many times this season have we taken two steps forward only to take two steps backwards the following week.

I'm worried that we could blow this one.

I think this will be a cracker.

And dont expect a push over Hersh.

We are bouyed by a new Coaching team. Some good players (and some rubbish...)but a cracking win over Sale...narrow defeat to Leicester and we will be up for this.

Just need flaming Gopperth to pass the ball not just kick it away ALL the time!

I'm not expecting a push over, this will be a tough fixture for Bath.

But a good win here could be the kickstart to a great run in for Bath, we might even make the playoffs seeing as Donald is settling in nicely.

Or a good win for us...might see Wasps in serious trouble...

I like the thought of Wasps being in trouble , just wish Bath were 20pts infront of you both.

With all due respect to Newcastle, if we want to be a top 4 team, this game should be looked at as a must win and potential WBP.

I'm not that confident at all, but if you aim to win all you're home games, you should be at the right end of the table

Bath by 6

Bath 23 - 14 Newcastle

Geordie whats your guess?

Is it on the box ?

HERSH, are you up for the usual bet next week?

I fancy Bath will make hard work of this one, but I think will come through.

Bath 28 Falcons 17

HongKongCherry wrote:HERSH, are you up for the usual bet next week?

Its a deal, the problem is it's not easy to change the username, but it's up to you if you want to contact the mods once Bath record there higest win against Glaws.

I think you've got a bit carried away after your result against Saints, but you seem to have missed that there were actually their U16s C side...

As the inevitable Glaws victory is only a week away, I'd be happy for you to do what you did last time and just admit to ownership!

Analyising recent results there is an 87.5% chance of a Glaws victory.

So there is a chance.

I always had you down as a pessimist HERSH, good for you! A little hope is good for the soul and you never know you may actually sign Carter one day

Hope Bath continue with the bit of tempo that they've had for a few weeks now, both at the breakdown and with ball in hand. If so, and Rec get behind them, Bath should win fairly comfortably.

Match day 23

15. Sam Vesty

14. Olly Woodburn

13. Matt Banahan

12. Olly Barkley

11. Tom Biggs

10. Tom Heathcote

9. Michael Claassens

1. David Flatman

2. Lee Mears

3. Anthony Perenise

4. Dave Attwood

5. Ryan Caldwell

6. Ben Skirving

7. Francois Louw (c)

8. Simon Taylor

Replacements

16. Pieter Dixon

17. Nathan Catt

18. Kane Palma-Newport

19. Guy Mercer

20. Josh Ovens

21. Chris Cook

22. Matt Carraro

23. Nick Scott

Newcastle:

15 Greg Goosen, 14 Ryan Shortland, 13 Jamie Helleur, 12 James Fitzpatrick, 11 Suka Hufanga, 10 Jimmy Gopperth (c), 9 Chris Pilgrim, 1 Grant Shiells, 2 Rob Vickers, 3 Euan Murray, 4 Adriaan Fondse, 5 Tim Swinson, 6 Will Welch, 7 Ally Hogg, 8 Mark Wilson

Replacements: 16 Matt Thompson, 17 Jonny Golding, 18 James Hall, 19 Andrew van der Heijden, 20 Taiasina Tu’ifua, 21 Will Chudley, 22 Joel Hodgson, 23 Tom Bedford

8-14 to Newcastle at HT!

From what the commentators are saying, Newcastle are being strong and direct in the forwards and are good for the lead. C’mon lads, the escape is on!

Or not... Newcastle give away two quick tries and Gopperth gets a yellow card.

20-14 to Bath

One thing that struck me about this game is that Newcastle need to trust their players to run the ball, they made few handling errors when they did run it.

HERSH wrote:One thing that struck me about this game is that Newcastle need to trust their players to run the ball, they made few handling errors when they did run it.

I agree, there seems to be such little confidence amongst the players at times, it is really limiting the game.

In the circumstances a LBP isn't the worst thing in the world.

We're still down now though....meh.

Well lets hope we keep the Coaches...get rid of the rubbish and come back far stronger like Quins and Saints have done...