Bristol boss Hill is now dreaming of a Great Escape
Richard Hill has now set his sights on catching Worcester after Bristol's humiliating 35-3 home Guinness Premiership defeat to relegation rivals Newcastle.
But the head coach admits his side will have to pull off "the Great Escape" if they are to avoid relegation to National League One.
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Bristol head coach Richard Hill
Four-try Newcastle stunned the Memorial Stadium by crushing Bristol and making off with a bonus point, which has put an alarming 12-point gap between the sides.
Bristol, who have only claimed nine Premiership points all season, are now nine points adrift of second-bottom Worcester with nine matches to play.
"We are going to have to turn our attentions to Worcester now," said Hill.
"Maybe Newcastle might be slightly out of reach and we will have to target Worcester – but it's not over.
"This was a big game for us, I don't think there is any hiding from that, and I don't know why we put in that performance.
"I am mystified. We did everything we possibly could – even in hindsight there is nothing more we could have done to prepare for this game."
Hill felt Newcastle, who were inspired by the excellent Tom May at fly-half, produced a performance that would not have been out of place had it come from one of the Premiership's top three.
And he has backed his players to continue to fight against relegation – even if the odds are now stacked firmly against them.
"It's going to hurt, but we have to pick ourselves up," said Hill. "The players will battle on, there's no question of that.
"It looks very grim, because this was a big game for us, and it really is going to be the Great Escape if we get out of this one."
And the head coach accepts the club's supporters deserve better than the fare they were served up last night.
"It's not the end of the world, but it is disappointing – and I am disappointed for our supporters," said Hill.
"They came here in a positive frame of mind and we have let them down.
"I don't think that was through a lack of passion or effort, but I am disappointed for the supporters that they have had the embarrassment of losing by 30 points on their own ground.
"We will have to make it up to them at a later stage. We shouldn't lose by that amount of points on our ground."
2 Comments
by ruggerboy, stapleton
Saturday, February 14 2009, 12:26PM
“Hill's been let down by investors, if you don't put the money in like the Big Boy's you might as well kiss the Premier goodbye.”
by Peejay, Bristol
Saturday, February 14 2009, 11:15AM
“And yet another chapter of the recent history of Bristol Rugby is written - Although a Season Ticket holder I decided last night to leave the ground 10 minutes into the second half.
At that point not only were Bristol 21 - 3 down, but after 50 minutes of play were still lacking any gameplan, passion or commitment to the cause - that of battling against relegation. I think it is fair to say that Bristol Rugby has again failed its supporters. Over the years we have suffered Holmes, Pearce, the selling of the ground to Bristol Rovers, and the loss of our Top Players - I am currently not sure if I will return to the ground this season, or infact in the future as I'm not sure that there is a future for Bristol Rugby. I don't mind seeing my team beaten, but I will not support a team without a passion or a commitment to at least try and I am sure that any prospective investors would also feel the same!!”