A total of £4000 was raised at last year's Moz Match - Photo: Patrick Khachfe

Bath and Bristol fans set for Moz Memorial Match

On May 3rd 2008, immediately after the final whistle goes at Bath Rugby’s last home game of the season against Saracens, a team of Bath supporters will run out on the Rec to take on Bristol supporters in the fourth playing of the now annual Moz Memorial Match, aiming to raise £4,000 for Médécin sans Frontières (MSF).

The Moz Memorial Match is played in memory of Tim ‘Moz’ Morris who died aged only 30 in February 2005.  Tim was an avid Bath fan but also took a keen interest in Bristol Rugby Club, sponsoring a player from both teams (Andy Higgins from Bath and Sam Cox from Bristol) and he was a frequent poster on numerous internet rugby boards, where he posted under the name of ‘Moz’.

Tim 'Moz' Morris

As a tribute to Tim, Bath and Bristol supporters played the first match at the Recreation Ground on 30 April 2005 and the teams met again in 2006 at the Memorial Ground, before returning to the Rec last year.  Speaking after the bruising second encounter, Premiership referee Ashley Rowden who officiated the game, commented “It’s fantastic to see such fierce rival rugby supporters getting together in this way for such a worthy cause. Tim would have been proud of all of those involved.”  

A bristol player runs with the ball - Photo: Helen Grace Bennett

Jim Carter, one of the event organizers, said “Tim was a genuine sports lover, and enjoyed rugby because of its fair-play ethos.  For once we can genuinely say that this game is about the taking part.  Last years’ match was an exciting battle between two well-matched teams and the result was in doubt right up until the final few minutes.  The crowd, including ex-England coach Andy Robinson, were thoroughly entertained by the spirit and quality of the rugby played.”

“We are very grateful to Bath Rugby for all their help in supporting this event, and are hoping that our efforts will help to raise another substantial amount of money in Tim’s memory.”
 
All of the results of the three previous matches have gone Bristol’s way, but more importantly have also raised over £20,000 for Médécin sans Frontières, which has been used towards a children’s project in Uganda. This is the highest sum the charity has ever received in the name of an individual, and there are high hopes that the third game will see the total figure raised in Tim’s memory approach the £25,000 mark.

Admission to the game will be free after the final whistle of Bath’s fixture against Saracens, the clubhouse bar will remain open throughout the game, and both Moz Match teams would welcome any and all vocal support as they get the chance to play on the same pitch as some of their heroes.

A Just Giving site for donations has also been set up at www.justgiving.com/mozmemorialmatchfour

The victorious Bristol team who won 38-53 last year - Photo: Patrick Khachfe