Maddock bids farewell to Rec after six years at Bath

​Bath try-machine Joe Maddock was carried aloft by his team-mates after today's victory over Leeds as he confirmed he would be leaving The Rec at the end of the season.

Although the 31-year-old's destination for 2010-11 remains uncertain, the New Zealander and his family have decided to move on after six years in the city.

It was a fitting finale for Maddock at The Rec. Last year's top try scorer in the Guinness Premiership grabbed Bath's final touchdown of the afternoon - and it fell to him to kick the ball into touch to mark the end of the match.

The former New Zealand Maori flyer, who joined Bath from Canterbury in 2003, led his side out on to the pitch today - an acknowlegement that it was to be his last outing at The Rec in blue, black and white.

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"It was emotional - last games always are," said Maddock afterwards. "But as far as Bath goes we've still got a semi-final next week and hopefully another game after that too."

He added: "As far as getting the try was concerned, I was just just happy that I had equalled Matt Banahan for top try-scorer this season. We had a bit of banter going into the game about whether we'd share it, and when I saw him go over with quarter-of-an-hour to go, I thought I'd better start looking for the ball!"

There has been speculation for months that the former New Zealand Maori star is moving to Italy, but he wouldn't be drawn on his likely destination.

"I will be leaving Bath at the end of the season," said Maddock, who has scored 233 points in 129 matches for the West Country side. "I can't say for where at the moment."

When asked whether he would be saying 'arrivederci' and heading to Italy, Maddock replied: "It could be 'arrivederci ' or it could be 'See you later, mate'.

"This decision to move on was never just about me. I've got a wife and daughter to think about and it really was a family decision.

"We decided that our time in Bath had come to an end and it was time to push on to something else."