Bath Rugby Ladies 40 – 17 Supermarine Ladies

A festival of women’s rugby was on offer in Bath on Sunday, 30th October, as record numbers of supporters visited Lambridge to watch Bath Rugby Ladies first team take the spoils in a vital league clash.

Sunday’s rugby action, originally billed as a double header, was disappointingly altered at the last minute, when the Bath Rugby Ladies second team’s opposition were unable to fulfill the fixture. However, the IIs, determined to make the most of the occasion, split their squad and played a nine-a-side game against each other, which provided a great development opportunity for the many new players that have joined the club this season. After the session, the IIs joined the many supporters to offer vocal support for the first team.

Bath Rugby Ladies faced Supermarine Ladies in a crucial league fixture, beginning the game sitting in fourth and third place respectively. It was a physical encounter and both teams started with great intent, although that energy seemed to leak a few early errors from both sides. However, Bath quickly found their footing in the game, with the pack performing well in the set-piece and setting a wonderful platform for the backs to run.

The home side’s scoring was opened by centre Zoe Gabbidon, who punched a hole in Supermarine’s defence at the 15 minute mark, the try converted by fly-half Sarah Holloway. Supermarine responded quickly with a try of their own, though Holloway added another try at 25 minutes, showing great footwork to find space and finish under the posts, and then took a second just before half-time, the score 19-5 at the break.

Gabbidon added another in the second half, before finishing off a fantastic passage of play from the backline, started by full-back Kat Southwell who ran from her own 22, with brilliant support running and offloads from Holloway and centre Rhian Evans, who was able to pop a neat pass to Gabbidon who took a well-earned hat-trick. Supermarine showed great fight and continued to compete up front, but the entire Bath team showed a desire to attack from anywhere, with prop Fran Gilpin and flanker Laura Mahoney making fantastic breaks from within their own half. Both runs led to quick ball through backs’ hands and added further tries for wing pair Sinéad Hayes and Rose Tressider, who both showed good pace and bravery to cross in their respective corners.

The score finished 40–17 to the home side, and with the other results of the weekend, means that Bath Rugby Ladies now sit second in the league, six points behind Plymouth Albion Ladies. Forward of the Match was awarded to Becky Thompson and Back of the Match went to hat-trick scorer, Zoe, while the IIs awarded a Player’s Performance to season newcomer, Harriet Rose.

The next league fixture for the first XV takes place on Sunday, 13th November, when Bath Rugby Ladies travel to Teddington Ladies, while the IIs will host Witney RFC in a cup game next Sunday, 6th November.