Butch belts Sarries
3 May 2008
Butch James scored a try as Bath belted Saracens 66-21 in the English Premiership.
Bath are now top of the log and at the same time ensured a play-off place as James scored one of six first-half tries as they raced to a 45-0 lead going into the shed. Saracens are not an ordinary team (they reached the semis of the European Cup), but with James at pivot pulling all the strings Bath looked a masterful outfit.
World Cup-winner James returned from a shoulder injury a month ago and has simply rekindled the form that has made him the outstanding No.10 in England this season.
16 Comments
4 May 2008, 10:32 am
Butch, come home during the tri-nations to add another cup to the trophy cabinet…
4 May 2008, 10:37 am
Butchie, we need you at the Sharks!!!!!!!!!!!
Pleeeeeez come home.
4 May 2008, 10:55 am
What a class performer. Freddie can head back to France and as jonnow said ol’ Butchie can come back to the Sharks. I’ve resigned myself to the fact that my boys in black and white will prob not make the play offs cause I think they’ve dropped just one too many places and with their lack of attaining bonus points I just can’t see it happening.
I do think if Ruan P had played at fly half for the whole season the Sharks and the Boks would be in a better position all round, however I just think Muir tried to get too clever for the Sharks own good this season and it backfired. White to coach the Sharks 8).
4 May 2008, 11:33 am
soulfusion
I also think ****’s policy of rotating the backline had a negative effect on both Ruan and the Shark’s backline performances this season. However he pretty much had to fit Freddie into the backline after all the money the Sharks had spent on getting him to come to Durbs.
Jake White for the Sharks would be great. Maybe he could persuade his mate Eddie to join him there as a consultant for next year’s S14.
4 May 2008, 11:54 am
He also got a yellow card.
Thing is, the standard up there isn’t that great. So just because Butch is playing well up there, doesn’t mean he’d be a standout player in the Super 14.
4 May 2008, 15:17 pm
“Butch belts Sarries”
Imagine that…If not him would they have lost? No!
Get realistic with the headlines please. If you watched the game you would know it was a great team effort.
4 May 2008, 16:55 pm
6
They might not have lost, but Bath went downhill when Butch got injured, and have really hit form again now that he’s back. Coincidence? I doubt it.
Butch is still the best South African 10 and probably the best 10 playing in England right now too.
4 May 2008, 18:50 pm
How about Butch running out at Loftus in the light blue shirt of the Bulls next year?
Hhhmmm, one can but only dream sometimes. Any chances that Matfield has a clause in his contract demanding the immediate release of Ludeke from his contract? Is there any justice in this cruel world?
4 May 2008, 18:51 pm
Butch is class. The reason why the Sharks reached the S14 is because Butch was their general. The Sharks miss him the most.
I cracked myself when the Pommy press were saying that the Boks did not have a class 10 during the RWC. They called him ‘average’ today a few months later he is the best 10 in England – lol how stupid they are. I would have though by now they would have realised how second rate their competions are.
5 May 2008, 07:16 am
I must agree with a lot of the sentiment above.
I think that with **** going to the Sharks and with Plum taking over (that still is the plan right?) we will have a much greater chance next year. He believes in consistency in selection and he recognized his best combinations in Adi – Barrit – Murray with the first two being interchangeable.
5 May 2008, 07:38 am
Butch is the major difference between this year s14 and last years. Sure we miss Percy’s great goal kicking and John Smit leadership. But when it comes down to us not scoring tries look no further than the loss of Butch.
5 May 2008, 08:28 am
Pienaar-Butch combination was awesome! Would like Butch bto come back and then Pienaar’s form will pick up.
5 May 2008, 09:12 am
#11 Bonedog: Quite right – Sharks seem to have little direction this year – me thinks it stems from not having the go forward of their fly half – Butch might not be the most flamboynt #10 in the world but he attackes the gain line, draws in extra defenders because of his strength and thus creates gaps on the outside for 12 & 13 to exploit – his distribution is good despite the funny little flick passes that he is prone to throw in every now and again….Sharks really miss him this year – back line has looked poor – lack of leadership & direction!
5 May 2008, 14:55 pm
Just shows the quality of our SA boys!
7 May 2008, 10:26 am
butch has become one of the worlds most consistent players in the world……i see many more tropheys to come for this man! hopefully pdv realises he needs an experienced man like Butch at the helm!!
20 May 2008, 12:01 pm
I agree with you fryboy… Viva Butch!!!
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