posted Dec 21, 2008

I really enjoyed the game but I hate listening to Stuart Barnes when he is commentating on Bath, far too one-eyed, but at least he did not give the man of the match awards to the ball boys whose behaviour I thought was dreadful.

The first Bath try clearly came from the ball boy getting the ball back to the SH as quickly as possible, who then was allowed to take a quick throw in.

At the end of the game another ball boy actually hid the ball behind his back and tried to tun away with it so that Hodgson could not take a quick throw!

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posted Dec 21, 2008

As a Sale supporter, I'm naturally disappointed by the result but what a great game to watch. The best thing was to see Sale using their backs and playing a more expansive and entertaining game than for the majority of the season. A bit of inexperience from Briggs at the end cost us after some great work from Chabal & Lobbe (who were immense!)

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posted Dec 21, 2008

"I really enjoyed the game but I hate listening to Stuart Barnes when he is commentating on Bath, far too one-eyed, but at least he did not give the man of the match awards to the ball boys whose behaviour I thought was dreadful.

The first Bath try clearly came from the ball boy getting the ball back to the SH as quickly as possible, who then was allowed to take a quick throw in.

At the end of the game another ball boy actually hid the ball behind his back and tried to tun away with it so that Hodgson could not take a quick throw!"

Barnes wasnt to bad when commentating about Bath.

I know some of them ball boys and to be honest if I was one of them I would do the same. Why not?

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posted Dec 21, 2008

Anyone who says Lobbe isnt a good leader needs to get some eyes. He was calming all the Sale players down, was asking the ref what they had done wrong but in a disiplined way and he lead by example, what more can you want from a captian?

A few people have commented on how bad Bath were, but i think the reason that they were bad is that Sale made them look bad (apart from the last play and at scrum time).

Overall a very positive performance from Sale and i think the back line looked great.

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posted Dec 22, 2008

Just coming back to my defence of Hodgson... Butch James attemtpt at tackling Chabal anyone?

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posted Dec 22, 2008

Let's not go there StormOfSilence with Butch's tackling. He is either trying to take someone's head off with his 'straight' arm or half heartedly letting people run through him. Sadly he is a player with far too much responsibility at the moment. The place kicking role is impacting other areas of his game.

That said, what a game! The honours should have been shared me thinks. Would have been a just result. I thought Chabel, Lobbe and White were sublime. A joy to watch. I agree with JPF4Sharks. To all those Bath fans (particularly the grumblers on the train back to Bristol after the game) watch the game live again and all the 'Bath mistakes'. Almost all were forced errors from Chabal. A true master! I, like all the faithful, was baying for his blood when he hit Claasans but I have to ask: what provoked him? Mind you McAlister didn't help things with his 'tackle' on Harrison! Typical abrasive Kiwi!

And talking of old masters thank you to the Bath front row, Digger Barnes in particular, who made the difference in a tight game. They scrummaged their hearts out. In fact the Sale front row were to my mind the only slight weakness in the whole 15.

It was a game that certainly didn't lack any heart, passion and good levels of skill from both sets of backs. Thank you Sale!

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posted Dec 22, 2008

"I know some of them ball boys and to be honest if I was one of them I would do the same."

If you know them please tell them that their behaviour was a disgrace and not appropriate at a rugby ground.

"Why not?"

Because it is akin to cheating.

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posted Dec 22, 2008

"If you know them please tell them that their behaviour was a disgrace and not appropriate at a rugby ground.

"Why not?"

Because it is akin to cheating."

When I said I would do it I meant if I was one of them because they are 14 come on. Are you telling me you wouldnt at 14.

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posted Dec 22, 2008

If Sale do manage to beat Munster in Thomond Park, then I will be the first to congratulate them.However the answer to your question is no! While you still have Hodgon and Chabal in your team you are vulnerable and there is no better team than Munster to find and exploit these sort of weaknesses.

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posted Dec 23, 2008

"While you still have Hodgon and Chabal in your team you are vulnerable and there is no better team than Munster to find and exploit these sort of weaknesses."

Hodgson is an excellent club player - I'm sure you recall Sale improving their game against Munster when he came on - and Chabal has been disciplined all season up until then. Besides, he says he wants silverware to take home to France. You think he'll throw that away because Quinlan and O'Callaghan will attempt to wind him up?
If anything, you should be targeting our front row...

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