A View From The Terraces: Moseley
Blackthorn Pete says he is enjoying watching 'Bristol Fashion'
Having comprehensively beaten a much-changed Rotherham Titans side last Sunday, we stretch our lead at the summit of the RFU Championship to nine points. Mathematically, Bristol are now certain of finishing in the top four.
A top-two finish, which would secure a maximum three bonus points for stage two of the competition, is still very much in our sights.
Liam Middleton’s men have beaten all but one of our league opponents this season, but it would be foolish to think that when the play-offs arrive we are in for an easy ride. The squad will be working even harder to increase the performance levels as we reach the business end of the season.
But what can Bristol do to improve their chances?
Well if we were ultra-critical, and a few people on the Blackthorn Terrace last Sunday definitely fit into that category, then perhaps we could be even more clinical. On Sunday, there were a few spilt passes and balls dropped in contact that meant that we did not kill the game off as early as we might have.
In my opinion, the main reason for any handling errors stem from the way that the team is being encouraged to play. The coaching staff continue to preach the mantra of ‘Bristol Fashion’, and for much of the Titans game we witnessed it in full flow.
Middleton is allowing his team to attack without fear. The players are expressing themselves and playing an enterprising and dynamic style of rugby – look at Fautua Otto’s try last week for instance – quick ball, sharp running lines and plenty of support runners.
Some of the rugby we are seeing from this team is sublime and I am prepared to forgive the odd dropped ball if it continues! If last season proved anything, it’s that rugby by numbers does not work.
There will be times when things have to be tightened up and Bristol have proved that they are also capable of playing this type of game when required.
We scored five unanswered tries on Sunday and never looked in trouble. All the team can really do is keep winning game by game.
So, tonight we have the chance to put one over on Moseley, who have already beaten us twice this season.
See you on the Blackthorn.
C’mon Bris.
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