BATH v ORRELL Saturday 19th April 1997

Saturday 19th April EACH ERS HIGHER CLASS OF RUGBY 1997 r I ORRELL SCOTCH WHISKY Black, Blue & White Red & Gold ch Iracter AL A A measur of character 16 David Lyon 15 Jon Sleightholme James Naylor 14 14 Jeremy Guscott (I) Centre Lua Tuigamala 13 MEI Matt Perr Centre Guy Hope 12 Adedayo Ade Left Wing Rob Hitchmough 11

10 rike Catt (I) 01111. Outside. Half Paul Hamer 10 Indy Nicol (11.11111111 Scrum Half Robin Saverimutto 9

Levin Yates MEM Prop Michael Worsley 1 Ell derico Men ez Hooker Alex Moffat 2 EI John Mallett (I) Prop Jason Cundick 3 4 German Llane Lock Paul Rees 4 Martin Haag Lock Charles Cusani 54 6 (I1.1 Flanker Alex Bennett 6 ark Peters (I) Flanker Richard Higgs 741 8 Steve Ojomoh7111111111111 Peter Anglesea 8 COTTON OXFORD RUGBY Charlie Harrison Ail Replacements Philip Horrocks 16 Gary French 11111= Steven Taberner 17 19 Chris Horsmaaill. Stephen Cook 18 20 Mike Horne MEM Stuart Turner 19 ea Richard Butlani Neil Hitchen 20 Brian Cusack Chris Brierly 21

Referee (I) International Touch Judges * Captain mi-lk A Rowden (RFU) S Terheege (RFU) RIA (RFU) LR CONTRACTS It must seem a long time since the Club success has been based on strong 91-92 season. Bath had been commitment, players such as Bob Kimmins and docked a point for an unregistered Simon Langford have been the mainstays but with player and Orrell were the greater player mobility in the profressional age favoured side to win the league but then talent such as and Simon points difference was always against them. So it Mason is difficult to replace. Frano Botica made a proved, Orrell came second on points difference brief show early in the season but that is another and point to a critical dropped goal by Huw Davies story. Nigel Heslop has returned and is putting in at Sudbury, snatching victory for Wasps when a win for Orrell would have seen them to the Title. Such is sport, but how different it might have been for Orrell.As it is the tag of leading light in the north west has shifted to Sale, Orrell are languishing at the bottom of the table and short of several points in their desperate bid to escape relegation.

Over the years the Orrell ground at Edge Hall Rd has been the venue most players love to visit but hate to play at, hospitality has been superb and on

urreti the pitch it has been most difficult to win.A some telling appearances but it is Jim Naylor who founding team in League I Orrell have maintained leads the way with 6 tries and leading points their position in the top flight with dignity, a scorer is Matt McCarthy with 78 points. Rest certain amount of defying the odds in territory assured that Orrell may be down but they are not that is not overtly fertile ground for out and as Leicester discovered they don't just and some uncomprising players. For the first few turn up for forms sake.The competitive edge still years they were a mid table side and then after a beats so Bath will need all their concentration to well deserved fourth place in 90-9 I the 91-92 win today. season was their best yet. Courage League Records:

Orrell had a momentous victory over Bath that P W D L % PTSF PTSP. year, winning an epic by 10 points to 9 at Edge Hall ORRELL 142 61 5 76 45 2359 2705 Rd, Bath's only loss of the campaign. Orrell lost BATH 141 112 7 22 82 3648 1720 away at Franklin's Gardens then critically by 13 This season: points to 12 at Sudbury, Bath dropped a point at Orrell: 30 tries, 16 conversions,24 penalties,4 Harlequins and finally beat Saracens to clinch the drop goals. Title. So that was the season that was and having Bath: 83 tries,49 conversions,40 penalties,2 drop lost the Cup quarter final to Gloucester the Orrell goals. team felt that they nearly had their hands on both Leading scorers: trophies.The club's success was built around a Orrell: Matt McCarthy 85 points.

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