To the common eye, a Round 3 Championship South 1 would be a normal weekend Women’s fixture, but Sunday’s match between Bath Rugby Ladies and Supermarine Ladies will be a milestone occasion.
It will be the first competitive women’s game to be played at the Rec since Bath Rugby and Bath Rugby Ladies’ (as part of Bath RFC) partnership began in May and will follow the former’s Gallagher Premiership encounter with Saracens.
The double-header is just one of a number of positives to come from the blossoming relationship since Bath Rugby pledged its commitment to grow the women and girls’ game within the region.
Maria Crowfoot recently joined the club as the Rugby Development Lead for Women and Girls’ Rugby while Hannah Meek has taken the position as Schools Co-Ordinator.
Meek will feature for Bath Rugby Ladies at outside centre against Supermarine with captain Sarah Holloway captaining from fly-half a few weeks after making her 250th appearance for John Gould’s side.
Bath Rugby Ladies, whose preparation for the match has coincided with a session at Farleigh House, will be aiming to retain their unbeaten start to the season following two healthy victories in the league thus far.
Centre Meek crossed twice in the opening day 43-7 win over Buckingham Swans Ladies with lock Emma Quarterman, hooker Hannah Stephens, inside centre Samantha McDonald, full-back Lucy Peters and wing Nina Edwards also on the scoresheet – all five are in the starting XV to face Supermarine.
Wing Bethan Wakefield scored two tries in a Round 2, 12-0 victory against Blackheath Ladies and lines up in the 14 jersey and Abbie Watkin completes the backline at scrum-half.
Megan Wynne and Trish Brown pack down in the prop slots and Clea Fawcett links up with Quarterman in the second row. Ellen Witt, Robyn Price and Daisy Pearce-Lyons make up the back row.
Providing access to the women’s game is crucial; therefore, tickets to the fixture are free. Furthermore, the match will be live streamed on Bath Rugby’s YouTube channel.
Head coach Gould, whose second and third teams will support their first XV teammates at the Rec, promises an attacking style of rugby which will have the fans on the edge of their seats.
“Anyone that has played at the Rec before will tell you that it really is a special place to play,” he said.
“Rugby is part of the fabric of our wonderful city, and the Ladies players are hugely excited to have the opportunity to run out in front of the Bath fans and showcase their skills.
"We aim to play an exciting brand of rugby that puts ‘bums on seats’, so we really hope that a big crowd will be able to stay and cheer us on!”
BATH RUGBY LADIES SIDE TO PLAY SUPERMARINE LADIES
TICKETS FOR THE MATCH ARE FREE!
The match kicks-off at 17:20 and is free to attend. All you need to do is register beforehand.
*Bath Rugby v Saracens ticket holders do not need to register for the additional game. Your ticket provides access to both.
