Supporters and players join together for awards evening
The rec clubhouse was full to capacity as 120 Bath rugby Supporters’ club members and guests came together to celebrate the highlights of the 2017/18 season. A dozen players from the club’s first-team squad were there, as were director of rugby Todd Blackadder and new attack coach Girvan Dempsey, who has joined from Leinster. Although he is now preparing for his first campaign with Gloucester, Matt Banahan was chosen for both the Personality of the Season and Player of the Season awards. The versatile back capped off his 12 seasons at the Rec by scoring a hat-trick and reaching a century of tries against London Irish in May. Tom Homer won Try of the Season for his thrilling 60m run against Gloucester at Kingsholm in April. Beno Obano, the loosehead prop who enjoyed a breakthrough season, was voted BRSC Young Player of the Season. Elliott Stooke, who played in all 28 Premiership and Champions Cup matches last year, was the choice for Unsung Hero. The Alexandra Titcombe Cup for the outstanding academy player, as nominated by academy manager Andy Rock, went to Max Green. The scrum-half joined from Yorkshire Carnegie last autumn but has now graduated to the senior squad. Rock said: “This talented young player has made a firm impression since arriving at Bath Rugby. He is passionate about playing and performing for our club, and I’m sure when given the opportunity he will begin to show the club and its supporters the quality he has to offer” The final award of the night was the Mowbray Woodwards award for services to BRSC and Bath Rugby. It went to Tony Spreadbury, the RFU head of professional game match officials. “Spreaders”, as he is affectionately known, often gives his time and expertise to help and encourage rugby at grassroots level. BRSC chairman Kevin Lawrence said: “It gives us all great pleasure to make this award to Spreaders. His ‘Ask the Ref ’ sessions are always hugely popular and Spreaders is brilliant at explaining the changes in the laws, and giving us insights into why referees make the decisions they do.” Blackadder thanked BRSC for organising the event. “Awards nominated by the supporters mean a great deal to the players,” he said. “We really appreciate the unconditional support both at home and away, but especially at the Rec where the noise in the heat of a tough battle is really special. “I’m looking forward to the start of the season. We’re aiming to play a more attacking brand of rugby and want to win something this year. “It’ll be a tough season, but the group of players and coaches that we’ve got are working really hard to make it a season to remember.”