Man of the Match: GP Bristol Rugby (H)
By Tim Empson
January 19 2009
So the long running series that was Northampton Vs Bristol 2008/9 drew to a close with possibly the most important of the games for Bristol - away at fellow potential strugglers in the league. Bristol had won the home leg and surely would need to take points off Saints away to stop a gap opening up...
Saints V Bristol (GP)
Question: Who was your MoTM as Saints overcame Bristol at the Gardens?
So the long running series that was Northampton Vs Bristol 2008/9 drew to a close with possibly the most important of the games for Bristol - away at fellow potential strugglers in the league. Bristol had won the home leg and surely would need to take points off Saints away to stop a gap opening up. Thus in the days leading up to the game we all expected Bristol to throw the kitchen sink - if not the cooker, washer and dishwasher - at our Saints boys to try and get those vital points. Bristol picked the arch enemy of Saints fans in Ronnie Regan at hooker, together with Winters in the second row and talisman Perry at scrum half seeming to confirm our worst fears. Just over 13,000 packed into the gardens to see the game, knowing how vital it was.
How odd it was therefore the total lack of passion that the collective Bristol team. They could not seem to be bothered to play rugby - ok they niggled away and tried trick but very little rugby. Every opportunity to waste time was taken and then some. This frustrated the crowd but the officials did nothing to hurry them along. As the game progressed and Saints got on top you might have thought Bristol would change their game plan - but no, where was the passion they require to haul themselves from the bottom of the pile.
So to Saints! To be honest we struggled to come to terms with the Brizzle tactics and could only occasionally show glimpses of how we are coming to know they can play. When we did we suddenly looked good and to be honest were a class apart at those times. If we could have played like that throughout another cricket score could have been in the offing!
So who caught the eye?
Only two players got over 10% for this game. Paul Diggin got just under 19% - once again proving his value to the team as he has transformed from a squad player to a regular starter. Paul - you are a star.
The winner this week was Ben Foden with over 50% of the vote. Ben started at full back ahead of Gardens hero Bruce Reihana. Ben has real pace and power together with an innate ability to pick the right line. It was difficult to forget his try that left two Bristol forwards in need of treatment as they collided while trying to stop him. To cap his versatility he switched to scrum half later in the game.
This win for the backs brings them back within a game of the forwards in the overall stakes.
Finally, my thanks to all 133 who voted.
Full Result
Question: Who was your MoTM as Saints overcame Bristol at the Gardens?
Paul Diggin 18.80%
Ben Foden 50.38%
Number of votes: 133
Previous Winners
Bristol Home (GP) - Ben Foden
Bath Away - Mark Easter
Quins Home - Euan Murray
Bristol Away (ECC) - Paul Diggin
Bristol Home (ECC) - Paul Diggin
Gloucester Away - Paul Diggin
Bath Home - Roger Wilson
Bristol Away - Roger Wilson
Scarlets Home (EDF) - Roger Wilson
Sarries Away (EDF) - Roger Wilson/Ben Foden
Montpellier Home - Courtney Lawes
Toulon Away - Stephen Myler
Bristol Home (EDF) - Paul Diggin
Leicester Away - Ben Foden
Sarries Away - Stephen Myler
Wasps Home - Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe
Newcastle Away – Sean Lamont
Worcester Home - Neil Best
Vote History
Bristol Home (GP) - 133
Bath Away - 53
Quins Home - 147
Bristol Away (ECC) - 48
Bristol Home (ECC) - 107
Gloucester Away - 74
Bath Home - 121
Bristol Away - 40
Scarlets Home (EDF) - 124
Sarries Away (EDF) - 46
Montpellier Home - 119
Toulon Away - 167
Bristol Home (EDF) - 82
Leicester Away - 57
Sarries Away - 73
Wasps Home - 113
Newcastle Away - 46
Worcester Home - 149
Who wins?
Backs 7.5, Half Backs 2, Forwards 8.5
Winners
Paul Diggin 4
Roger Wilson 3.5
Ben Foden 2.5
Stephen Myler 2
Neil Best 1
Sean Lamont 1
Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe 1
Courtney Lawes 1
Euan Murray 1
Mark Easter 1
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:01:19:15:49:24 by Phil..
I wonder why
“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”
Benjamin Franklin
Tetleys Block F E143
Quote:Tim wrote
So to Saints! To be honest we struggled to come to terms with the Brizzle tactics and could only occasionally show glimpses of how we are coming to know they can play. When we did we suddenly looked good and to be honest were a class apart at those times. If we could have played like that throughout another cricket score could have been in the offing!
Think you just answered you own question there Tim. That's probably why they chose their game plan. I agree though how disappointing and frustrating it was. Good stuff as always.
Saint til I die
Well spotted Tim, and thanks for these notes on a half-remembered game!