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Dominant first-half display tilts derby result in favour of Bristol
By PA
Bristol moved top of the Gallagher Premiership in bonus-point fashion as they defeated west country rivals Bath 36-26 at the Recreation Ground. Bath’s first defeat of the season came after a dominant first-half display from a Bristol side inspired by flanker Santiago Grondona.
He scored two tries, while there were also touch downs for full-back Max Malins, centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg and hooker Gabriel Oghre, with fly-half AJ MacGinty kicking four conversions and a penalty.
Bath, conquerors of Northampton and Leicester in their first two games, trailed 26-7 at half-time and they could find no real way into the contest despite tries from full-back Sam Harris, centres Will Butt and Ollie Lawrence and lock Ross Molony, while fly-half Finn Russell added three conversions.
Russell briefly threatened a fightback by orchestrating Bath’s best spell of the game, yet Bristol were always in the driving seat and claimed an impressive win on the road. Bristol, fresh from a high-scoring defeat against Gloucester last time out, took just 88 seconds to open their account.
Wing Gabriel Ibitoye was the creator, breaking free in midfield and, despite Bath’s defence halting his progress, he managed to find centre James Williams, who sent Malins over for a try that MacGinty converted.
Bath thought they had conjured an equalising try seven minutes later but flanker Ted Hill was judged not to have grounded the ball behind Bristol’s line. The home side, though, only had to wait another three minutes before drawing level and it was a spectacular solo effort from Harris, who caught a loose Bristol kick, broke two tackles and then outstripped chasing defenders during a 50-metre break.
Russell added the conversion, yet Bath fell behind for a second time during an eventful opening quarter when Bristol made ground in midfield and England prop Ellis Genge delivered a scoring pass to Grondona.
MacGinty again added the extras and with Bristol growing in confidence they notched a third try when Janse van Rensburg finished off following a quickly-taken penalty by Oghre. Bristol went in pursuit of a bonus-point try before the interval and it arrived following sustained pressure inside Bath’s 22 that ended with Grondona pouncing for his second touchdown and MacGinty converting.
Bath had a chance to cut the deficit but Bristol turned possession over and took a healthy 19-point lead with them into the interval. MacGinty kicked a penalty early in the second-half, before Bath had a second try disallowed when a knock-on in approach play denied flanker Guy Pepper a score after Grondona had been yellow-carded.
The home side continued to dominate territory and they breached Bristol’s defence when Butt crossed in the corner and Russell converted, making it 29-14 after 56 minutes.
The fightback was well and truly under way just two minutes later when a piece of Russell magic carved open Bristol’s defence, allowing replacement Molony an easy finish, with Russell’s conversion leaving Bath just eight points behind.
But Bath were then their own worst enemies as flanker Sam Underhill was yellow-carded for a technical infringement just five minutes after going on as a substitute and Bristol struck from a driven line out as Oghre crossed and MacGinty converted.
Lawrence’s try three minutes from the end gave Bath a bonus point but it proved a frustrating afternoon for Johann van Graan’s team.
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Set pieces are important and the way teams use them is a great indication of how they play the game. No team is showcasing their revolution more than the Springboks. This year they have mauled less and primarily in the attacking third. Otherwise they have tended to set like they are going to maul and then play around the corner or shove the ball out the back. They arent also hitting the crash ball carrier constantly but instead they are choosing to use their width or a big carrying forward in wider areas. While their maul is varied the scrum is still a blunt instrument winning penalties before the backs have a go. Some teams have chosen to blunt their set piece game for more control. The All Blacks are kicking more penalties and are using their powerful scrum as an attacking tool choosing that set piece as an attacking weapon. Their willingness to maul more and in different positions is also becoming more prominent. The French continue to play conservative rugby off the set piece using their big bruisers frequently. The set piece is used differently by different teams. Different teams play different ways and can be successful regardless. They can win games with little territory and possession or smash teams with plenty of both. The game of rugby is for all types and sizes and thats true in the modern era. I hope that administrators keep it that way and dont go further towards a Rugby League style situation. Some administrators are of the opinion that rugby is too slow and needs to be sped up. Why not rather empower teams to choose how they want to play and create a framework that favours neither size nor agility. That favours neither slow tempo play or rock n roll rugby. Create a game that favour both and challenge teams to execute their plans. If World Rugby can create a game like that then it will be the ultimate winner.
Go to commentsA new axis at 10, 12 & 13 is needed. And to start blooding young players who may be good enough to win us a world cup rather than stick with known players who won't.
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