A few thousand people were in attendance to witness an evening of great entertainment as Trish Brown (2), Hannah Meek (2), Lucy Peters and Holly Edmonds all scored first-half tries.

Swans’ Sian Mills and Shaniah Herelle were both on the scoresheet in the second half, but Peters and Edmonds’ second, Meek’s third and finishes from Hannah Stephens, Zoe Lewis and Bethan Wakefield made it another afternoon to remember.

Bath got off to the best possible start when Brown crashed over from close range and moments later, sensational play down the right allowed Meek to skip past a couple of defenders on the way for her first dot down.

A bulldozing carry from lock Clea Fawcett was only bettered by a beautifully composed out-the-back offload to Peters to make it 19-0 with the conversion, and Meek soon grabbed her second following further smart decision making from Fawcett and Rebecca Wye.

Full-back Edmonds was next to get in on the act before Brown barrelled home for a brace just before the interval.

Swans came out flying in the second 40 and centre Herelle’s marauding run was rewarded as midfield partner Mills dived over. However, Bath were soon back in their groove as Peters flew in for her second.

Hooker Stephens stole some ground to burrow home before possibly the try of the night. Prop Lewis produced some dazzling feet to hit a gap and after a little shimmy to beat the last defender, she made her way underneath the sticks much to the delight of the fans in both the West and East Stands.

Wakefield took inspiration from Lewis with the wing sprinting in from 60 metres and Meek earned her hat-trick in the closing stages, storming in from distance.

There was still time for Swans to end on a high and get a reward for their terrific efforts. Herelle’s excellent individual display was topped off with a very well-taken try in the corner.

Overall, a fantastic occasion and one two-try prop Brown said: “It felt amazing!

“It’s the second we’ve been here this season (at the Rec) and we’re just so grateful to have the opportunity to showcase women’s rugby like this; it’s unbelievable.

“It’s been an incredibly special squad this season. We’re all quite different but we’ve gelled together like something I’ve never really experienced before. The depth of the squad and that camaraderie is just brilliant.

“When you’re playing in thick mud, rain, wind, hail, you’ve got to be able to trust your buddy on your left and right. Team spirit is important and we’ve got it in absolute bucket fulls.”

GALLERY

Bath Rugby Ladies record 12-try win over Buckingham Swans Ladies at the Rec

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