Bath Rugby Ladies kicked off their 2012-13 Championship One South league season last Sunday following a significant restructure of both the squad and the coaching set-up over the summer. Travelling to Trojans Ladies in Southampton, the squad of 18 included eight players new to the team.
Trojans have always provided a tough test for the Bath Ladies, and last week’s encounter was no exception, with the home side demonstrating fine form. The new-look Bath team put up strong resistance but, with the wind at their backs, Trojans scored a try fifteen minutes from a long kick over the defence which was then converted. The home side kept up the pressure with their forward pack, gaining another try from a series of pick and drives. Their third try came from another long kick, and was also converted.
At 19 points down, Bath hit back with a try of their own. Lock Sarah Burgess finished off from a quick ruck and quick handling, touching down for her debut try. Fly half Sarah Holloway converted neatly.
Building from this, the second half saw the visitors come back into the game, putting in strong forward hits and dominating territory. However the home defence held strong, and in the closing stages of the game they responded with two more tries, bringing the final score to 29-7.
Throughout the game Bath showed flashes of brilliance which demonstrated their potential, and they will go into the next few weeks looking to continue building on these strengths. Their next opportunity for this will be when they travel to Cheltenham on Sunday 16th September.
