It is perhaps testament to the immensely impressive season from Bath Rugby that Sky Sports has shown an increase in their interest of broadcasting matches involving us. However, it is hardly likely to be a move that Bath supporters will welcome- this extremely odd kick off time rather threw my Bank Holiday weekend out of sync, and the timing of the European Challenge Cup final leaves something to be desired.

That said, I am thrilled that we have bashed, tackled and sublimely kicked our way into the final, and in anticipation of this weekends match against Saracens, I hoped that I would be treated to something akin to the stunning display we saw against Sale. Forgive me for enthusing like a one eyed fan, but given that is what I am, (and the media at large was united in praising our display last week) the performance we saw when taking on Sale was spectacular. With a pint of Guinness in one hand and the sun blazing down on the Rec, I concurred fully with Steve Meehan when he said after the match; "In the most beautiful surroundings of any rugby park in the world, it was an absolute joy”.

Bath had to switch focus in training this week, as with our place in the ECC final confirmed, the spotlight will have turned to the business end of the season, and hopefully, securing our place in the semis of the Guinness Premiership. Saracens had to pick themselves from the disappointment of losing to Munster last week, and given that their chances of ending up in the playoff or Heineken Cup spots looked slim, Bath went into the match as clear favourites.

With both departing and current Bath stars sat on the bench, it meant that something close to a full strength side ran out for potentially the last home game of the season. Thankfully, the weather was the only thing that changed from last weekend, and the sun’s disappearance heralded another phenomena lighting up the Rec. Words almost aren’t enough for this display, but I’ll give it a go. 

After winning a few penalties that allowed Bath to gain field position, the first points of the day were taken by Olly Barkley when he put the ball between the uprights for a three point lead. After barely having time to draw breath, the first of many tries was scored by Daniel Browne- who was an unseen trouper in the back row- after swift passing through the hands of Nick Abendanon and Michael Claassens. 

Butch James made his presence felt today, beginning with a chip that was meant for Banahan on the wing, but which the strong wind blew off course. Barkley showed his wonderful vision, and yet another reason why it is increasingly painful knowing we are losing him to Glawster, when he broke through Saracens defence after a long period of sustained pressure. Now 17 points down, Sarries managed to get their hands onto the ball for the first time and tried to attack. It didn’t last long however, for after a thumping smash of a tackle on Leonelli by Banahan, the momentum was with Bath. 

Lee Mears broke from midfield, thundering up the pitch to give the ball ultimately to Michael Lipman, who staggered and smashed his way over the try line. After a missed opportunity for a try by Butch James, through a fantastic break which saw him halfway up the pitch, Sarries mounted another attack. Not successful this time either; some loose passes were pounced on by Bath, and Lee Mears chipped the ball on, Crockett collected, and offloaded nicely to put Joe Maddock in the corner. After the conversion, a grubber kick from Barkley was claimed by James who landed in the corner for yet another try.

At 38-0, I was scratching my head and wondering if perhaps I hadn’t woken up this morning, and such a wonderful try scoring fest was actually just in my head. If I was dreaming, I couldn’t have dreamt up a better solo score from Matt Banahan, who gathered the ball from Abendanon after Saracens lost the ball in front of the posts that they were desperately attacking, and who ran the whole length of the pitch, evading potential tacklers to score an amazing try. A winger with muscle, pace and a top rugby brain, Banahan is fully deserving of his top try scorer status. At 45-0, Bath had scored more than a point a minute. A Sarries attack lead to Claassen's sin binning.

To give them their due, Saracens came out fighting after the interval, and a wild pass from Butch James lead to an interception and a try from Adam Powell. Saracens were definitely more positive, although the referee missing a blatant knock on right in front of me helped them somewhat. Butch James lived up to his reputation when he tackled without using his arms, and this shoulder charge resulted in a yellow card. One man down, Bath couldn’t prevent the opposition piling over the line for a try.

A true Bath legend who is soon to vanish from the Rec, Zak Feau'nati replaced Browne, and was close to scoring a try when he broke through tired Saracens bodies to flirt with the line. Unable to score himself, he offloaded to Lipman, who grabbed his second. After a powerful Bath scrum, Barkley kept up the try scoring habit as he scored yet another try. Yes, I was losing count too. Saracens responded through one more score, but I imagine for those hardy souls who travelled down from Watford, it wouldn’t have been any more than a consolation. Still Bath wouldn’t let Sarries have the last word, and Andrew Higgins, after a quick penalty for Bath for a penalty offence against Nick Walshe, burst through to score the ninth try.

Olly Barkley was awarded Man of the Match, and it was richly deserved; he was powerful in attack and defence and didn’t miss a kick. Remind me again why we are letting him go? Matt Stevens, Danny Grewcock, Michael Lipman, Butch James and Michael Claassens all deserve a special mention too. If anything should herald the special occasion that is the Moz Match which directly followed this game, it was this truly astonishing performance. All in all, the boys played a blinder. I couldn’t be more proud.

Referee: Rob Debney

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