By Glen Leat
December 14 2003

Bath beat L'Aquila 50-0 in the rain in a pointless(sic) match that just confirmed the weak structure of this European competition in the early phases. So Bath face Colomiers in the next round after they won 38-20 for a 75-32 aggregate victory over Padova.

I was unable to attend the match because of illness and Mrs Leat described the game as enjoyable so that is good enough for me! If only my normal reports could be so succinct. Click here for link to Bath Rugby official site match report.

It was ironic that this game took place on the day I received my invitation to spend a large sum of money on tickets for the quarter final later in the season because serious questions have to be asked about the pricing structure of this competition. We have a small committed following at Bath who love travelling around Europe to watch our boys and good luck to them I say, however when you look at the crowd numbers at the majority of games in this first round (see below) you have to doubt the commitment to this competition around Europe. This fixture was always going to be nothing more than a warm up for Bath, and so it proved, but I do begrudge this fixture being included in my highly priced season ticket: instead I think the quarter final should also be added to the season ticket package because at least we are likely to face a team able to give us a game.

Friday and Saturday Results and Attendances

Bath Team

15. Matt Perry
14. Iain Balshaw
13. Kevin Maggs
12. Alex Crockett
11. Simon Danielli
10. Olly Barkley
9. Hentie Martens

1. David Barnes
2. Lee Mears
3. Matt Stevens
4. James Hudson
5. Danny Grewcock
6. Scott Gray
7. James Scaysbrook
8. Chris Goodman

16. Ross Blake
17. Rob Hawkins
18. Duncan Bell
19. (No player)
20. Mike Tindall
21. Zak Feaunati
22. Rob Fidler