We looked back on a memorable season today, announcing the awards from the 2019-20 season which concluded at Exeter Chiefs in the semi-finals of the Gallagher Premiership.
It was clear to see a togetherness from this team last season, especially after the restart with some exceptional performances ensuring Bath’s playoff spot.
This togetherness and development should fill supporters with pride and excitement for what is to come, as players return to Farleigh House this week for pre-season.
Ruaridh McConnochie and Tom Dunn received two awards each, with both England Internationals picking up the major awards of the night too. McConnochie picked up the Players’ Player of the Season, being voted by his peers for another superb campaign and local lad Dunn was awarded the Supporters’ Player of the Year to top off a career defining season for the recently capped England International.
Both Ruaridh and Tom were exceptional throughout the season and thoroughly deserve their accolades, with both players expressing their thanks to team-mates and supporters earlier today.
Award-WINNERS
🏆 Top points scorer: Rhys Priestland
🏆 Top try scorer: Ruaridh McConnochie
🏆 Try of the Season: Will Chudley (v London Irish – Away)
🏆 Best Forward: Tom Dunn
🏆 Academy player of Season: Gabriel Hamer-Webb
🏆 Best Back: Ruaridh McConnochie
🏆 Most Improved: Will Stuart
🏆 Supporters' Player of the Season: Tom Dunn
🏆 Spirit of Rugby Award: Harrison Sheppard (Trowbridge RFC)
🏆 Players' Player of the Season: Ruaridh McConnochie
Initially, we looked back at those players who celebrated key milestones throughout the course of the season. There was a massive achievement from fan favourite Semesa Rokoduguni, who made his 150th appearance in the Blue, Black and White and we know supporters’ will hope there is many more to come! Rhys Priestland, Elliott Stooke and Club Captain Charlie Ewels also celebrated a key milestone, all reaching their 100th appearances for Bath.
Rhys Priestland was again recognised for being the Gallagher Premiership and Bath Rugby’s top points scorer, in another consistently brilliant season for our number 10. The fly-half accumulated 200 points between Rounds 1-22 of the 2019/20 season, surpassing Wasps Marcus Smith to claim the trophy.
Ruaridh McConnochie was recognised for being Bath’s top try scorer once again, crossing the line 9 times throughout the 19/20 season, only two behind Ollie Thorley who was awarded the Gallagher Premiership top try scorer.
Top points scorer: Rhys Priestland
🏆🏆 Double congratulations to our number 🔟@Rhys_Priestland, who not only won the Golden Boot for Bath Rugby but also picked up the @premrugby Golden Boot award too. What a season this man had, scoring 200 points in the Blue, Black and White (Rounds 1-22)🏉#WeAreBath pic.twitter.com/EBLqKGWvBl
— Bath Rugby (@bathrugby) November 6, 2020
Top try scorer: Ruaridh McConnochie
🔥 After scooping a hat-trick of 🏆🏆🏆 at the 18/19 Awards, @ruaridhmcc is at it again ‼️ The @EnglandRugby and Bath winger crossed the try line 1⃣1⃣ times in another superb season in the Blue, Black and White! #WeAreBath pic.twitter.com/AaznCVxRHQ
— Bath Rugby (@bathrugby) November 6, 2020
Try of the Season: Will Chudley (v London Irish – Away)
Footwork ✅
— Bath Rugby (@bathrugby) November 6, 2020
Offloading ✅
Back's play ✅
Forwards play ✅
TRY TIME FOR @Will_Chudley pic.twitter.com/oNgOsk7Orm
Best Forward: Tom Dunn
This man has been on🔥all season!
— Bath Rugby (@bathrugby) November 6, 2020
What a season it has been for @tomdunn92, one of the hardest workers💪and that hard work is paying off BIG TIME 🎉
Congrats on this🏆(sponsored by The Baines Family) & your @englandrugby cap, these rewards are thoroughly deserved👏!#WeAreBath pic.twitter.com/YKOD5a40su
Academy player of Season: Gabriel Hamer-Webb
🏆 Your Academy Player of the Season... What a debut season local star @GabrielMHW has had 🙌, exploding on to the scene of with some epic performances 🔥🎉 He is a true force to be reckoned with and one for all @premrugby Clubs to watch out for 👀👀#WeAreBath pic.twitter.com/DdxRogRJQt
— Bath Rugby (@bathrugby) November 6, 2020
Best Back: Ruaridh McConnochie
The Award for the Best Back sponsored by @bathales goes to @ruaridhmcc for a 2nd successive season 🏆🏆
— Bath Rugby (@bathrugby) November 6, 2020
Safe to say, the @EnglandRugby and Bath winger has made an impression since joining the 🔵⚫️⚪️ Congratulations @ruaridhmcc 👏🔥#WeAreBath pic.twitter.com/312UkiOHiY
Most Improved: Will Stuart
The winner of the Most Improved Award 🏆 sponsored by @Pol_Roger is... @WillStuart10 👏
— Bath Rugby (@bathrugby) November 6, 2020
What a season it’s been for tighthead prop, who has become a regular for both Bath and @EnglandRugby, earning himself his first cap earlier this season
Congrats @WillStuart10 #WeAreBath pic.twitter.com/W6Q3wKfctz
Supporters' Player of the Season: Tom Dunn
The Player of the Season brought to you by @LandRoverRugby, selected by YOU - our Supporters, with a significant % of the vote is @tomdunn92 🥇🔥
— Bath Rugby (@bathrugby) November 6, 2020
The former @ChippenhamRFC player and now @englandrugby International 🌹 thoroughly deserves this accolade... congratulations Tom 🎉 pic.twitter.com/EdeRfkS6Rt
Spirit of Rugby Award: Harrison Sheppard
For the Spirit of Rugby Award 🥇🏆brought to you by @RoydsWithyKing, we asked people throughout Community Rugby to nominate their Unsung Hero 🙌 @trowbridgerfc nominated Harrison Sheppard and the staff of Bath Rugby selected the grassroots player as their overall winner 🥇🏆 pic.twitter.com/KPc6H8Qm4t
— Bath Rugby (@bathrugby) November 6, 2020
Players' Player of the Season: Ruaridh McConnochie
The final award of the night, Players’ Player of the Season brought to you by our title partner @Dyson, goes to... @ruaridhmcc 🏆🥇🎉
— Bath Rugby (@bathrugby) November 6, 2020
Long may this mans form 🔥💥continue, another epic season from Ruaridh and his teammates agree 💯‼️We can’t wait to see 🥕 return next season 🙌 pic.twitter.com/sAExrZWWrD
It was the longest season in Bath’s and Premiership history and one every Bath supporter should be proud of, with some exceptional team performances and an abundance of individual brilliance.
Congratulations again to all the guys nominated and to this season’s winners, we look forward to the 2020-21 campaign starting at the Rec against Newcastle Falcons on Saturday 21st November.
Have a great evening!
