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What the meejah made of the Barff defeat
By Cherry Blossom January 6 2008
Shedloads takes its latest look at what the newspapers and websites are saying about Gloucester. We have trawled the sites for what we think are the most interesting clippings, and if a site isn't included in our list, it means they have said nothing, or what they have had to say was boring or irrelevant, or both.
citizenBack in the days of yore, before Sky's television schedule set such ridiculous kick-off times as 8pm on a Friday night, a boggy, a pitch displaying similarities to Sandford Lido on derby day would have got the players salivating. These days, the highly toned and honed athletes would rather not take the risk of turning ankles or sliding into expensive cameras and referees - themselves professionals in the game - have a TV producer on one shoulder and the burden of player safety on the other, and a brave decision to make.

Glaws logoBath were fully deserving of their victory.
Not only did they monopolise the territory virtually throughout but some of their first-half rugby was a joy.
With Butch James and Olly Barkley playing the sort of football that was at times jaw-dropping, the home side dominated both territory and possession. If their invention was to be admired, their distributional games were even better and it took every ounce of Gloucester’s resolve to stay in the contest for as long as they did.

 

GuardianBath's director of rugby, Steve Meehan said: "Perhaps Gloucester suffered because they were more conservative than they would normally be."

Handling mistakes were inevitable and prolonged games of aerial ping-pong ensued.

 
 

TimesIt is too early to seek defining moments in a Guinness Premiership season that lasts nine months but Bath may regard last night as one of them.

There seemed no way in which Gloucester could break the stranglehold imposed by their hosts.
 

TelegraphWe were expecting a free-flowing feast. Instead we had a gripping joust of slug, slither and little audacity. That this top-of-the-table clash did not become a damp squib was due to the commendable attitude and skill of both sides.
The deluge did not dampen the spirits of those who mattered - the players. The two best attacking sides in the Premiership were not to be deterred. They gave it their best shot.
Dean Ryan, reared in the school of hard knocks as a player, has learnt as a coach never to drop his guard. Fate is always lurking in the undergrowth to mug the unsuspecting.

BBC sportGloucester were virtual strangers to the ball, except to kick it back to their hosts.

MailGloucester were hustled out of their stride by a vastly-superior Bath pack, a huge collective effort highlighted by superb individual displays from flanker Michael Lipman and number eight Daniel Browne.

 

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