Bedford v Bristol

GUINNESS JOHN · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 450

Maybe it's just me, perhaps it's the gap between fixtures, but I've been waiting for this one to come around for quite a while.

I really want a massive performance from the team to cement the recent wins which have got us back into second place. As supporters, we need to turn up in force on Saturday, there are no distractions on TV, no excuses, just be there at G.R.

Wins in the 3 remaining home games will go a long way to keeping the number 2 slot safe. Hopefully the players are raring to go after a week off, let's really make the difference. COME ON YOU BLUES.

Blue Fox · Joined: 09 Nov 2008 Posts: 129 Location: Bedford

Echo that GJ; massive disappointment when we put in a below par performance in the wet at The Memorial last year. Bris are a real bogey side for us away. Need to put it all behind and give them a right going over and not just a scrape through. Big crowd and noise required.

mikeyfish · Joined: 16 Aug 2005 Posts: 65 Location: Eastbourne

The game on Saturday is massive in terms of making the playoffs too

Win and (assuming we hit some sort of form) we're all but assured of a top 3 slot seen as Nottingham and Bristol still have to play each other and Newcastle.

However, a defeat followed by Bristol winning their game in hand will see things starting to look a lot tighter.

bluesmad · Joined: 23 Jul 2005 Posts: 70 Location: Bedford

this should be a classic encounter. does anyone remember 2005 when bristol were flying high but came unstuck at goldington road? the same year bedford won the powegen shield. just to say high to a certain chris fadden - hi chris. see u on saturday.

philip
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Philip J Gray

Paul Walsh · Joined: 10 Dec 2011 Posts: 186

From Bristol site.

Bristol Rugby make three changes from the side that beat Rotherham in thir last Championship outing,

Ruki Tipuna will skipper the side after replacing James Grindal at scrum half, while Wayne Thompson and Marco Mama come into the pack.

Fautua Otto and Luke Eves form the midfield partnership, while George Watkins – who has five tries in his last seven games – is named on the wing.

Middleton opts for a four forwards and three backs split on the replacements bench, with James Merriman included in the 22-man squad.

Bristol
Jack Tovey; George Watkins, Fautua Otto, Luke Eves
Ryan Edwards; Adrian Jarvis, Ruki Tipuna (c); Kyle Traynor
Ross Johnston, Wayne Thompson, Mariano Sambucetti, Glen Townson
Marco Mama, Redford Pennycook, Mitch Eadie.

Replacements:
Rhys Lawrence, Bruce Douglas, Ben Glynn, James Merriman
James Grindal, Tristan Roberts, Ben Mosses.

Steve Cotton, Bristol Post: Andy Robinson begins work at Bristol Rugby

ANDY Robinson begins work at Bristol today – but head coach Liam Middleton expects the new director of rugby to spend the next few weeks observing and settling in.

Robinson, the former England, Scotland, Bath and Edinburgh boss, will be on the team coach that heads to Bedford for tomorrow’s key Championship game – but is unlikely to have an input on selection.

And, with Bristol having won ten of their last 11 games in all competitions, Middleton expects Robinson to spend the first few weeks assessing the squad and the way the club operates.

“Andy coming in the day before the Bedford game is just the way the dates have panned out, but he’s going to jump on the bus with us to the game,” said Middleton.

Full Story www.thisisbristol.co.uk
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Paul Walsh

Paul Walsh · Joined: 10 Dec 2011 Posts: 186

Any one know why Josh isn't in the squad for Saturday?
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Paul Walsh

Devon Lady · Joined: 30 Jul 2009 Posts: 685 Location: UK

Paul Walsh · Joined: 10 Dec 2011 Posts: 186

Yeah fair point, I don't think we should be playing him every week, I just wondered if he was injured.

Anyway it's good to see Mark Kohler getting a chance.
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Paul Walsh

Trew Blew · Joined: 09 Oct 2009 Posts: 184

Perhaps the worst home performance for a few years? Maybe the team would like to organise a whip-round to gives us all our money back. If we had staged the traditional fight back to win in the last minute it would have been a travesty, really, because we were pretty atrocious in all phases of the game today.

Jackie Markham · Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 734

Not helped by one of the worst refereeing displays I have seen for many a year. Won't say more. Said it all during the match.

Bedford Blue · Joined: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 232 Location: Bedford

Could not agree more with both Jackie and Trew Blew
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Andrew McGrorey

Gerry Welsh · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 698

Agreed the ref didn't do us any favours - but I think we were found out today. Briz's defence was very tight and they gave away few penalties. We were often slow to the breakdown and our handling was pretty sloppy. Very disappointing given how we can play. I think we are going to have to work really hard to stay in the top four. Some tough games coming up so we must plunder points when we have the chance. On paper we should beat Donny and Moseley (although not guaranteed by any means). The remaining fixtures will be difficult and we'll need to tighten up and take what we can. I'll still be shouting - I want us in those play-offs! COME ON YOU BLUES !!!
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Gerry Welsh

Aylesbury Blue · Joined: 19 Aug 2008 Posts: 40 Location: Bedford

Trew Blue has beaten me to it, he either lives closer to Goldington Road or he was more upset or embarrassed as much as me about today’s performance. Having watched every game this season, this is by far the poorest one. It has surpassed the games against London Scottish, Stirling and Nottingham, and they were all away from home, as was Plymouth when we almost snatched defeat away from victory! What has happened in 2013, I'm sure you all remember the come backs against Nottingham & Pirates and we have the same squad that forced Jimmy Gopperth into scoring his only drop goal of the season when we played the currently invincible Newcastle because of the Blues total dominance in the second half? I heard so many people today challenging the referee’s performance, that is no excuse for our poor handling and giving so much possession away. So do Blues supporters expect too much? Have we already peaked this season? Because of the superb first half of the season IF we reach the play offs will be beaten by the team that gets promoted as in all 3 play offs so far? (Exeter, Worcester & London Welsh) or are we going to play to our full potential?
As you can probably tell I am very frustrated about our fantastic team, who have the squad (and management) that have the capability of beating of all other Championship sides, however are not showing this to their supporters and people they introduce to Goldington Road at the moment.

OK frustrated rant over, I could say a lot more, but it's over to other HYS users and having their say. However (just in case any Bristol Fans look at this I must say it was good speaking to those that I did, and having the privilege of meeting Andy Robinson, who may guide them to promotion after twice winning the championship but losing out at the play off stages- that's us being one up on them as we have lost out three times so look out Newcastle if were not you opponents Bristol could be!!)

Devon Lady · Joined: 30 Jul 2009 Posts: 685 Location: UK

Well done Bristol you deserved the win today. They came and played with passion wanting to win more than anything. What went wrong with our team?

The Table stays the same, 2nd by finger nails.

What school did that ref go or maybe I need a visit to SpecSavers, appaling decisions at times.

I cannot remember sitting in the stand and having so much silence around me. Even when Bristol supporters shouted for their team where was the echo for the Blues? Even spectators leaving early now that says it all.

One good side to today is Exeter thrashed Harlquins so that means Sarries will go top if they beat L.Welsh tomorrow so not all doom and gloom on the rugby side today.

Friday night approaches, no nerves, errors, dropped balls or give away penalities on the night please. Don't let Falcons get the ball if you do you will pay the price - heavily. Good Luck is all I can say.
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Devon Lady

Honiton Blue · Joined: 07 Jan 2009 Posts: 163 Location: Bedford

Aylesbury Blue is quite right - we haven't played well in 2013 yet.

Today's was an inept performance and we were beaten by a much better organised and 'professional' side. Too often today we seemed to be making it up as we went along and there was no real pace in any of our play. Bristol just sat back and soaked it up and, without being particularly exciting themselves, made the most of their few opportunities. Our lineout was appalling - must have lost more than we won.

Yes, the ref was poor and made some very strange decisions but so were / did Bedford today.

HAVE YOUR SAY!