Tim Morris Remembered On Wonderful Occasion

By Glen Leat
May 1 2005

After watching Bath's poor performance against Leeds, snatching 4th place from Sale when 3rd place was beckoning, it was wonderful to be embraced by the ERE community as two committed and passionate sides from Bath and Bristol did Tim Morris and his family proud in the Moz Memorial Match.

 

The final score may have seen the visitors just sneak a 53-10 win, but everyone who ran on to the pitch will have enjoyed themselves beyond belief. Perhaps if the detractors of the Rec being used as the home of Bath Rugby had been there they would have felt the passion, warmth and genuine affection for everything linked to our great club and the people who support it. 

Rugby has always been a game for players and the Moz Match was no different. This time however, the players were also supporters so they understood their responsibility to the game of rugby and the occasion itself. The rivalry between Bath and Bristol is legendary and whilst no quarter was given by the 58 players involved in the match, there was none of the bitching and sniping that has sadly crept in the professional game. There was also very little sideways running or shirking from the tackles: this was full-on rugby by blokes who were grateful to be playing in the Bath and Bristol colours, representing their cities.

I remember a time when the spirit of the Moz Match was the spirit of rugby and, after 10 years of professionalism, it was stark reminder of how far modern rugby has moved on from its roots. I remember days when you could be any shape and still play rugby. Today, in the professional game, you can be any height and still play rugby but the general shape is one of lean, mean muscled toning. The ERE XV (it was 33 really but that doesn't look right) had some wonderful shapes on display. 

Seeing GWA (Ginger With Attitude) dashing through the Bristol defence in the last quarter was a sight to behold. Half the height of most players his legs were a blur as he took the ball and cut the sort of angles the professional Bath backs have failed to deliver all season. GWA, as with many others, was playing against doctors orders. Slipped disk? Pah! Shot hamstrings? He spat in their eye (if they had them). This was the Rec in a proper game, this was an experience to remember for the rest of ones life.

Amongst the dodgy knees, backs and necks we had some cracking players. The front row did their predecessors proud. The starting line-up of Ken Jr, Redneck and Alibev reminded me of the tough, uncompromising unit of Chilcott, Dawe and Lee. The boilerhouse of BFSIG and Fatbacks was strong and physical but for me the Bath back row combination of BFSIL, Huxster and Cerberus was one I'd like to see together again. They hit the rucks with great force and got in where it really hurt: it was only the quick handling and fast running of the the Bristol backs that made the difference in this game. Cerberus was my Bath Man of the Match and when his brother Bubsy joined the throng after half-time, the intensity was increased another notch.

It's tough being a back in a scratch game. It's possible to hide your mistakes in the chaos of a scrum, ruck or line-out. You either catch the ball and make ground or you don't. You either make the last gasp tackle or you don't. There is no doubting that the Bath backs were well and truly tested by a very fit and well drilled Bristol back line. 

The starting Bath scrum-half, Gareth, will never catch a chicken in the spring again but boy, he ran and and ran for the first 30 minutes. Bath Fan Jack then took over and for a while I thought we'd discovered the missing link for our First XV - don't suppose they'll let you play at 45 Jack! Perhaps you could give Walshe and Wood a lesson on how to run forwards?

Seeing two of  Tim's best friends, Matt Clark and Rolf's Cartoon Club line up either side of the retired No.13 shirt was a poignant moment and it was fortunate for Push Up Boy that there had been so few points to push-up in the Leeds game because he was run ragged by his opposite number as too many early points were scored by the visitors. Everyone got a game and Gussie beamed with pride as he trotted on for the final few moments.

For a very long time it appeared as though Bath would be shut out from scoring but Optimist hit a good penalty to give Bath 3 points and then a Huxster try and Optimist conversion made the score much more respectable at 10-53. I'm not sure of the accuracy of my reporting on the try but from what I remember the move started just in front of the Bath posts. Bath Fan Jack caught the opposition on the back foot with a quick tap penalty and gained twenty yards before passing to Optimist who, with a lovely little swivel of the hips outpaced Bristol 's first line of defence. After getting to the half-way line Optimist flipped the ball to Andy R who caught it in full stride and whipped out a long pass to Bod who, for some reason was on the right wing. The crowd was ecstatic at this free-flowing rugby. Bod chipped forward and was only just beaten to the bounce by Bubsy who ducked his right shoulder and charged in to the mob of Bristol defenders. Ruck ball: Bath Fan Jack scraped the egg from the turf, fed Optimist who slipped it to Crippsy who charged forward with Huxster on his shoulder. Without looking (but sensing his presence) Crippsy presented the ball beautifully for Huxster to feint right, then left and then over the line....TRY!!!!

Well it was something like that if my memory serves me right.

I can't mention everyone but there were cameos throughout the game and all the players will no doubt reflect on their own performances, remembering at least one occasion that will stay with them. I was extremely proud of Son of Glen as he took to the pitch and when he was helped of the field, after banging his head in a tackle, it reminded me of all those mini-games I used to attend where self preservation never entered his head.

The crowd was vocal and so supportive and to see the likes of Andy Robinson and Matt Stevens taking such an interest will have spurred the players on a bit more. This event took a lot of organising - well done to all concerned. 

It may sound a bit corny but the result didn't matter to the Bath folk it was the taking part. We played this game to remember a great guy, Moz. I will admit to shedding a small tear at the end as the players gathered round Tim's family. To lose a son so young is a tragedy: to see he was loved by those who knew him and respected by those who didn't must be a comfort.

We must extend our thanks to the Bristol guys, on and off the pitch, who understood what this game was about for all of us at Bath. They fully respected the occasion and I hope this will see the start of a new relationship between users of ERE and the Bristol website.

After the Leeds game I was a bit down but the events over the following three hours made me realise why I love rugby and love our club. It was great to meet all the "names" from the site. ERE started as a community and it's gradually becoming a family -  thank you and well done to everyone.