Bristol Win Second Moz Memorial Match

By Glen Leat
May 2 2006

It was 12 months ago that two teams of rugby supporters gathered together for the first time to celebrate the life of one man, Tim Morris. The second Bath -v- Bristol Moz Memorial Match took place on 30 April 2006 and Bristol won 65-17.

The rivalry between the Bath and Bristol rugby clubs and their supporters is legendary. Having two historical rugby giants located within 12 miles is always going to create a volatile environment and it was no different for a charity match. The Bath players and their supporters received odd looks as they passed on Filton Avenue before the match. The Bristol folk were downhearted having just conceded a 16-0 lead to Northampton and the last thing they wanted to see was a group of Bath fans.

The generous Bristol faithful maintained their usual standards by booing the ERE Team on to the pitch, giving them the same respect they would have shown the Bath Rugby First XV – marvellous. This demonstration of passion told everyone that whilst this was a friendly game, both sides were still determined to beat the old foe and play as hard for “their club badge” as would be expected of any professional.

In their “team squeeze” prior to kick-off, Bath skipper Matt Pearce told the players that they were playing for Tim and the Bath badge and everyone should come off the pitch at the end totally exhausted and sure in their own minds that they had played as hard as they possibly could. Not one person had to worry about looking Matt in the eye after the match – everyone (from both teams) gave their all!

To see the starting line-up’s running from the Memorial Stadium tunnel brought a tear to one’s eye and it was no surprise that such a “knowledgeable” crowd would be totally silent as everyone spent a minute thinking about why we were there. Tim Morris was a special man to a lot of people, his memory was being respected by hundreds who didn’t know him.

The game was an exciting affair with both sides playing running (if not necessarily flowing) rugby. There was certainly no order of the boot. The tackles were hard and uncompromising but fair and honest and all the players were excited at playing at the home of Bristol Rugby.

The Bath pack was immense throughout the game and it would be churlish to try to pick a “player of the pack” because they all showed such spirit to make anyone supporting the Blue, Black and White very proud. To see them winning scrums against the head and shoving the Bristol pack backwards made up for the eventual score-line of 65-17 to the home side.

Whilst the Bath backs were unable to create the same consistency in their game as enjoyed by their forward colleagues, every man can be proud of his commitment to the cause. They ran until their lungs burst and their legs ached, desperately awaiting a gap in the Bristol defence. But Bristol were tight in every area of their game.

As Bath experienced last year, the Bristol backs had pace aplenty and once in their stride it was difficult for the visitors to lay hands on them let alone stop them. Bristol’s four try wizard on the wing would be a pleasure to watch at any level of rugby, let alone this charity match.

It was a great honour for me to have a conversion set-up in front of the posts towards the end of the match and my kick was more hit-and-hope than any form of skill. My immediate reaction was “Bloody Hell it’s gone through!” I’ll never forget that moment.

Matt Clark and Jim Carter have done their mate Tim very proud (together with our friends from Bristol) and on behalf of us all I tip my hat to them both – top blokes!

This was another great day for everyone concerned. There could be no better tribute for a man who loved rugby, supported Bath and followed Bristol.