“Bring the noise” – spectators urged to pack The Rec and enjoy free BUCS Super Rugby as Anniversary Game returns to city centre
Team Bath players and coaches are encouraging people to come and enjoy some free rugby at The Rec on Wednesday (October 16) as the annual student showpiece match returns to the iconic city-centre home of Bath Rugby.
This year’s edition of the Rengen-sponsored Anniversary Game will see the University of Bath men’s 1st XV take on Welsh rivals Cardiff University in a crunch BUCS Super Rugby contest (6.30pm kick-off). Entry is free and you can register for tickets by clicking here.
It is the fourth successive year that The Rec has hosted the big match, with the previous instalments seeing thousands of spectators turn out to enjoy the biggest night of the Bath student sports calendar.
Last year they roared Team Bath to a last-minute 29-27 victory over Leeds Beckett and co-captain Ed Rimmer, a try scorer that night, is hoping to hear plenty of noise once again.
“The crowd here last year was such a big influence on our win and it would be great to have them behind us again,” said the scrum-half.
“It’s always a massive privilege to play at The Rec, I’ve been coming here with my family since about the age of seven and my old man is a season-ticket holder.”
Also looking forward to running out at The Rec in front of family and friends is flanker Chris Barry, who is all set to appear in his third Anniversary Game.
“I have six or seven of my family coming over from Ireland for the game, it is a massive occasion for them and definitely a date marked in the calendar every year,” he said.
“My standout memories of the other Anniversary Games are the great crowds we’ve had. We won the game in the last minute against Leeds last year and the crowd had a massive impact on that.”
Watching from the stands that night was co-captain Jordan Martin and the second-row forward is eagerly awaiting his Rec debut.
“I missed out on last year’s match through injury, so I’m really looking forward to my first time playing at The Rec,” he said. “It will be great to have that big home support and the crowd right behind us.”
Head of Rugby Aaron James believes that the Anniversary Game, and the support received both from students and the public, continues to strengthen the student club’s already healthy links with the wider rugby community.
“We are involved with the Bath Combination and have strong links with Bath Rugby, so our roots are very much in the city and we are really proud of that,” he said.
“The Anniversary Game is a big occasion for the University and the people that support us. We play an exciting brand of rugby and we want to put on a spectacle for the spectators. We always appreciate the support we receive.”
People can register for free tickets for the Anniversary Game by clicking here.
Pictured top: (From left) University of Bath Rugby Club chairman Matt Bendin, Head of Rugby Aaron James, Rengen CEO Iestyn Lewis, University of Bath Director of Sport Stephen Baddeley and players Jordan Martin, Ed Rimmer and Chris Barry at The Rec ahead of the 2019 Anniversary Game. Credit: Bryn Vaile for Matchtight.
