Are we losing the respect in rugby?

Over the last few months of rugby I have started noticing a change in the atmosphere surrounding rugby, my personal view is I don't like it.

As a child I was introduced to a fantastic sport which I grew to love and adore........Rugby. A sport in which I was always told "Football is a gentleman's game played by ruffians, and rugby is a ruffian's game played by gentlemen." Obviously a little exaggerated but the general ethos is there. A game in which respect was imperative amongst players and spectators.
For players they adhere to the referees word, do not argue with him and call him sir. They clap each other from the field of play and regardless of what occurs in the game itself you'll sit and chew the fat over a pint with your opponent.
Whereas supporters would applaud players from both sides on and off the field. When a team would have a kick at the posts silence would be observed as a respect for the kicker. Applause was also granted even when the opposition scored a try or performed a well executed tackle.

Are these un-written rules of rugby still observed.......sadly No!!

A bold statement may be other than integrating of supporters the crowd is now leaning towards a footballesque audience. A prime example was displayed in the Scotland v New Zealand fixture where Dan Carter wad berated with boo's every time he had a kick at goal. It becoming an all to present occurrence in many fixtures now, including a vocal presence of trying to influence the referees decision. I would love to say even Bath are exempt from such behaviour but even the rec faithful have displayed such animosity. Andy Powell received a yellow card for a high tackle and received a torrent if boo's then released a hand gesture directed to the Bath fans earning himself a ban, I'm not justifying his behaviour but players are only human after all and can only take a certain amount of abuse. And I believe with the crowds continuing to react in the manner they are we may see more slip up from players.

Creeping into to the game now is more disagreement of the referees decision from the players, with the trial of the new TMO system earlier this season there were many players asking the ref to go up stairs and check with the video ref. It has always been that the captain and player who is being addressed by the referee are the only one to be able to talk to him.
I did see a tweet over the weekend where somebody was  watching a u13's fixture being refereed by a female ref, one of the boys apparently was not very happy by her decisions and called her a 'cheating f***ing b*tch'! Are we allowing our youth to confuse a footballers respect for a ref as opposed to the traditional respect demanded in rugby.

In short is there a shift of the polite Ethos of rugby now were well into the professional era, I for one hope we can make it back to the good old days or am I becoming slightly deluded and need to accept the new dimension of the sport.?

Bold Gold for LV

An intriguing and possibly an exciting line up announced for Bath's fixture against Newport and Gwent Dragons in the LV cup.
A bold eclectic mix of youth, experience, new and returning personnel will line up against the Dragons, and I for one really like the look of the team.

After the united fixture on bonfire night a lot of fans were hoping to see some of them feature in the LV, and Gary Gold did not disappoint. LV cup is predominantly seen as a good tournament to aid the experience of young players and help them prove their worth as a future rugbying star.

The decision to mix seasoned players is a good decision, to allow youth and enthusiasm to be steered in the direction of victory. To see Banahan and Hipkiss lining up in a centre partnering shows Bath aim to run hard and hit attacking rugby. The hype for Roko getting his first top flight start has arrived with the pairing up of Woodburn on the opposing wing, joining Heathcote, Devoto and McMillan in quite a dynamic back line.

An inclusion of one name upon the team sheet that has helped raise hopes of so many Bath fans is the return of Ryan Caldwell. Such a tenacious player and never prepared to take a backward step, a player who's presence has been a miss this campaign. Let's hope to see him get back out on the park and do what he does best and drive Bath on.

The pack is a mix of some young but already seasoned players accompanied by some Blue, Black and White stalwart. Captain Hopper and Taylor to control, direct and lead by example.

Throughout the squad I must admit to being a little excited to see if they can carry the dogged attitude to the LV campaign!!

15 Ollie Devoto
14 Olly Woodburn
13 Dan Hipkiss
12 Matt Banahan
11 Semesa Rokoduguni
10 Tom Heathcote
9 Mark McMillan
1 Charlie Beech
2 Brett Sharman
3 Anthony Perenise
4 Stuart Hooper (c)
5 Will Spencer
6 Josh Ovens
7 Guy Mercer
8 Simon Taylor
Replacements
16 Will Tanner
17 Ken Dowding
18 Kane Palma-Newport
19 Ryan Caldwell
20 Will Skuse
21 Chris Cook
22 Luke Adamson
23 Richard Lane
 

The indifferent Bath.

It's safe to say the positivity amongst the Bath fans took a huge knock from the London Welsh game.

Off the back of chiefs and Agen games the Blue, Black and White faithful shared a belief that there was a strong passion and determination within the team. So what went wrong against Welsh? Bath had some good attacking phases but just seemed to lack some of the clinical prowess they had displayed of recent times. Just as they looked like scoring on several occasions an infringement would occur or Welsh would win a turnover.

For me it appeared that Bath went out with an intent to defend heavily, draw the exiles forward then kick down field to catch them on the break. An intriguing game plan, perhaps not having total faith in the team due to injury absentees. A noticeable missing link was Louw whose driven the pack on in recent fixtures, but one man should not make such a difference. For the first time this season the forwards just seemed under powered and below par.

Missing more than anything in the exchange with Welsh was the character, pride and passion that had been displayed against Chiefs. Perhaps its slightly wrong of me to carry on comparing the two games but the diverse change in beyond blatant for anybody to see. For the United fixture against Quins we were treated to some more of that dogged determination we'd been tempted with against Agen and chiefs. I had it pointed out to me by Mr Gary Gold himself they are one squad and one team, the will to win flows from the top to bottom. So the question still lends itself to what went wrong against Welsh.......complacency, Injuries, wrong game plan or it was just one of those days??? Either way It's safe to say consistency seems to be a sight miss at the moment.

Whatever didn't happen against London Welsh we've seen the light still burns bright in the heart of Bath rugby and regardless of the disappointment the belief will still be rife amongst the supporters. Bring on The LV cup and Newport and Gwent Dragons to show the rugbying world how Bath can bounce back and shed the disappointment.

Moving in the right direction.

I sense the positivity is returning to the stands of the Rec. The game against Agen and Chiefs are to thank for this.

With the forwards playing as such a tight unit and powerful,  winning ball enabling the backs to spread it wide and release the fast duo on the wings. It now feels to many as Gary Gold's plans he spoke of are now starting to fall into place. I'm not saying that Bath have become the polished complete package, but its now evident how far forward they've moved on from the early few rounds of the Aviva Premiership.

The second half against Agen showed the move forward in development of the squad and how they have become a 'team' not a squad of individuals. To grind out an away win in France, which in no mean feat, showed heart and character in the team.

The first half against Exeter especially the first 20 minutes was so clinical and relentless tearing the Chiefs apart. The second half saw Bath rocked back on the back foot but defensively saw them withstand a pounding making over 100 tackles in the second half. A half that goes on for 54 minutes seeing two teams who just know the importance of the bonus points showed true character and what this fixture meant to them, basically what a true epic battle from both tribes.
Exeter are know as a team not full of individuals but a team who play together and I felt Bath were on a par with them in those steaks, plus the added bonus of the individuals flair.

Now for the part where I may play devils advocate and propose a suggestion why Baths game play has changed, why the game plan is finally coming off. This may annoy or even upset a few but I believe its due to the exit of one Mr Olly Barkley. It was evident from the early part of the season his choices of kicks were not executed in the intended manor, at times the decisions he also made often were not the right one. Who at the early stages wished for the ball to be passed along the line and not aimlessly punted down the field. I'm not dispelling the factor that he was a true stalwart for Bath but it felt as he was leaving earlier fixtures were forgotten and he was elevated to a god like status. The questions how can we go on without Olly, well for me I think Donald hasn't done a bad job and the return of Heathcote Bath will march on for the better. I don't wish to discredit his legacy at Bath as he was a fantastic servant for the club and aided Bath through his two stints in the Blue, Black and White colours, sometimes a lot was rested upon his shoulders. The point I'm trying to make is not to slate him just to point out there seems to of been a shift in the teams game style since his departure.

Bath are an ever evolving side and now it seems the early trepidation seems to fizzling out and the supporters are looking forward to some epic bouts and believe they can be victorious.

Are Bath becoming rugby's version of Liverpool?

Growing up as a Bath supporter I was gifted to watch what can only be described at their 'glory years'. This as a fan was a superb time for me and other followers. Through the 80's and early 90's Bath were simply the dominant force in England. Between 1984 and 1996 only '88 and '91 eluded a clean sweep of John player/Pilkington cup victories, backed up by league champions of the league six times between 1988/89 and 1995/96. The strongest year was 1993/94 when league, cup and Middlesex sevens victory saw them to be the ultimate team.
With Bath being run ultimately as a professional team in an amateur era saw their dominance shine, as the man who masterminded their success Jack Rowell leave to take on the England job it signalled the start of the end of Bath's superiority. Rowell left in 1995 and the sport turned fully professional in 1996, the rest of the chasing pack suddenly were catching them up. The 1995/96 season saw Bath's last double and the 1997/98 saw them become the first British club to become European champions beating Brive 19-18 winning the Heineken cup.

Bath just didn't seem to be able to compete with the professional game and started a fall from grace, reaching their darkest hour when relegation was borderline only scrapping ahead of local rivals Bristol.

Bath managed after 10 years in 2008 to win the European challenge cup, a return to some silverware. Slowly Bath managed to get back to the top end of the table getting up to fourth in 2009/10 season, dropping back to fifth and last season finishing eighth.

As with Liverpool FC who were so dominant in the 1970's and 80's Both teams have dwelt on their past glories.
I'm going to play devils advocate with this......but Is it time we moved on from the past and looked to the future. Because both sides have enjoyed such superiority in their sport is it hard to accept they do not have a divine right to be champions. For Bath I've supported my whole life and always will, but the time has come to accept Bath are no longer the side of days of yore. I always want to see a Blue, Black and White victory, but now I've realised we must support and understand they are a side developing and one day will regain the top spot. At the moment it's time to acknowledge they are now a top six team, but have faith they'll improve.

It's time to judge them on the here and now not on the history that shrouds the club, champion their success and look for positives in loses. Let's build a positive club and avoid a negative club who rue the days gone by.

It was never my ambition to become a Hooker!

I've recently been asked to read and review a book, an honour for me to do as what a book it was as well.

Neil Clark's ' It was never my ambition to become a Hooker' was actually quiet an enlightening piece of scripture, and also quite a gripping tale......its Not all just about rugby. The book runs through the Hookers time at Exeter, Bristol, Bath and Cornish All Blacks then once again back to Exeter and now celebrating his testimonial year with the Cheifs.

A very frank, open and very honest account of his life. A forward for the book written by another renowned Hooker Mark Regan gives a tiny insight into Neil's life but not a scratch on his own version.

The book begins with the players perspective of the second fixture of the Exeter v Bristol championship promotion final. We're given a behind the scenes view of the fixture- before, during and the celebrations of their victorious promotion.

Once the opening chapter is done the book flips back to his childhood. This for me was the truly gritty part as its somebodies childhood who shapes the man they become, and what a topsy-turvey time he had.
A long move when young to the parental issues that can only be described as unbelievable. What he witnessed and went through as a child would of broken many a child's spirit. Luckily through the passage of his story he was gifted with meeting some people who saw good in this tearaway. For all of his wrong doings and mistermeaners there was people who saw good and helped him turn his life around.

He was a late comer to rugby but eventually came to the realisation this was the pathway for him, turning his back on his beloved surfing.
As the book progresses we hear of his physical and personal development. He met some fantastic connections in the game and became passionate to make it his life.

During the season of promotion Neil gives a very detailed description of each fixture which he continues through seasons one and two of premiership status. It's not just a rendition of the way the games went but inside the reactions of the players, how they felt and their general physique.

To hear a players views on pre-season training, the turmoil of injuries show the intensity of the modern game. From the highs and lows of victories and losses, even through the sense of rejection of clubs. Even to the point of the skill needed to fulfil the Hooker's role, and the slightly touched mentality needed. This book truly covers all those points and so much more.

All in all if you're going to get a sporting book to read this year grab this little ditty and you won't be disappointed.

Amlin part 1- It may not be the Heineken but let's win this baby!!

Quite noticeably the fixture list for Bath Rugby this season will be missing the Heineken cup, a loss that will sadden many a supporter.......but At least there's the Amlin Challenge Cup. It may not be top flight European rugby but it still means the Blue, Black and White roaming army can flit off to foreign climes for hope of some European victory.

So who will Bath be facing in this fresh challenge- Agen, Bucharest Wolves and Cammi Rubgy Calvisano.

After a loss to local rivals Gloucester in the premiership Bath wanted to return to winning ways and show what they are really about this season. A two week premiership break lay ahead in which they were going to have a little European wander.
Their first fixture sees them off for a nifty little jaunt of 1730miles to Bucharest in Romania to play their team the Wolves. A little bit of an unknown quantity, so how much resistance will they show Bath?
Vesty honoured with the duties of the boot started the ball rolling in the first minute, starting how he meant to go on by taking an early three points. A show of dominant play ensued for Bath and Vesty added a further three to the board 12 minutes in.
Ollie Devoto gifted with his first start to Bath nailed a penalty kick into touch well into Wolves territory putting Bath firmly on the front foot. A well taken lineout saw the ball swiftly distributed through the hands (it can be done) finally ending in the hand of young Will Spencer who obliged in scoring Bath's first try. With Vesty adding the extra two points Bath were 0-13 to the good 23 minutes in to the game.

The referee eventually lost his patience with the Wolves prop's undisciplined behaviour and dispatched him to 10 minutes in the sin bin. Vesty took another three points to the away teams increasing score.
As Bucharest became a man down Bath got the bit between the teeth a certainly wanted to make the advanced count.
Nathan Catt turned the ball over flipped an offload to Cuthbert, who released Biggs and as he drew the defence slipped an offload into the hands of Ross Batty enabling him to score another Bath try. Once again the increasingly confident boot of Vesty nudged Bath up to a 23 point lead after 35 minutes on the clock.

Bucharest found their time just before half-time to finally make their appearance on the score board. A good kick deep into the Bath's 22 saw them with a well placed line out. Resulting in the strong position their scrum half saw a break in the defence and darted through to make the score, with the conversion made the teams made their way back to the changing rooms. A strong half from the travelling team seeing them 7-23 in front.

Bath came back out with all guns blazing determined to go for the bonus point. A rampaging Guy Mercer made up a large chunk of ground. As young Ollie Devote received the ball he eyed a strong overlap spun the ball out to Cuthbert, who took his turn to draw the defence this time he gave the offload to vesty after nipping in at the corner converted his own try.

Bucharest got back on the scoreboard again this time only a penalty and seeing them hit double figures. With 10 minutes left of the 80 an interesting move of bringing the flying winger Kyle Eastmond on at fly half. This seemed to be an inspirational move and helped demonstrate there's more to his game other than just running. A superbly executed long floated pass out to Devoto leaving him to dart through the defence scoring his first try for Bath, the fixture now seeming dead and buddies with the score line hitting 10-35.

Bucharest had a little left in reserve and pushed for more points, an attempt to rescue some respectability. Six minutes left their captain crossed the line leaving their fly half to take the extras.

With a little altercation off the ball both sides were reduced down to 14 men as Mercer and the Wolves hooker got to see the end of the tie from the naughty step.

Bonus point in the bag Bath still wanted more, and more they would collect. Abendanon had come on to replace Devoto and took a nice kick down well into Bucharest territory. With the resulting line out Bath hit a powerful driving maul and Kane Palma-Newport crashed over to give Bath their first win of of the Amlin Challenge cup, and quite a comprehensive one 17-40.

A strong performance and proof that if the ball gets passed out and they play I little more running rugby the tries and bonus points will come, although a weaker than normal opposition a good move forward!!

Next stop south west France to Agen......