Latest Sports News by Harry Mottram
Cricket: Bath Cricket Club: This is from the club’s website: “South Australian allrounder, Aidan Cahill has arrived in the UK to bolster Bath Cricket Club’s 1st XI squad as they set out on defending their West of England Premier League title. Cahill, who represented Australia in the under-19 World Cup in 2022, and is now on a rookie contract with Sheffield Shield side, South Australia has now arrived in Bath.”
The 1st XI play Lansdown on the 4th May away and at home on the 11th May they play Burbage.
Cricket: Bear Flat Cricket Club: The junior squads of the Bear Cubs and the Grizzlies look set for a breakthrough season with the Somerset Cricket Foundation putting club’s under 11 team in the Bath and District Youth League. They will play 16 overs a side and will take part in 12 fixtures.
Cricket: Somerset County Cricket Club: Somerset continue a season of drawn matches so far. In the County Champions ship they have now had three draws – the latest against Nottinghamshire after games against Surrey and Kent. The weather is largely the culprit. On Friday 3 May they play Essex at Taunton. Pray for sunshine.
Football: Bath City FC: City were knocked out of the play-offs for the Vanarama National League South by Braintree with a goal in the final moments of extra time. The away result concludes their promotion campaign to gain entry into the fifth layer of the football structure this season after finishing in 7th place in the league some 8 points behind Braintree. With penalties just minutes away it was Braintree’s Blackwell who settled the match scoring from close range and breaking the hearts of the travelling Bath fans.
Jerry Gill said afterwards that it was a heart-breaking way to go out of what he described as a ‘cup-tie’ type of match. He said both teams put everything into the game with a ‘blood and guts’ performance – but cruel to lose when so close to penalties. He said: “Credit to the team this season who have been immense, showing a real togetherness in abundance – which we saw tonight. I’m gutted but we will have to go again.” And he also paid tribute to the fact that the players are part-timers having finished work and then taking the coach to Braintree after a normal working day.
He paid tribute to the travelling fans saying it was the ‘most togetherness with the fans at the club he had known this season.’ City went for the win in extra time, but it was not to be. It has been a highly exciting season with notable wins in front of growing support from Bath residents with gates reaching the 2,000 mark suggesting the club is on the march with ambitions to play at a higher level.
Football: Bath City Women FC: This is the club’s match report for their final match of the season: “Bath City Women concluded their 23/24 campaign at Twerton Park with a 2-0 ‘away’ defeat to Purton Women. A win would have secured a third place finish for the Romans but despite enjoying the majority of possession it was the Swindon-based side who could overhaul them thanks to two second half goals. City dominated the first period but failed to create any clear-cut chances and it was Purton who almost grabbed the lead late in the half when Coe lifted a shot over Sadie Harley but Abbie Gray got back to clear the ball. However, within a minute of the restart the deadlock was broken when Coe took advantage of a slip by Harleigh Curtis to fire past Harley. And they made certain of the three points with two minutes left when Rose stabbed the ball home from close-range following a corner.”
Football: Larkhall Athletic: The Larks hit four goals against Bideford in a 4-3 thriller on Saturday 20th April in the Southern League South Division fixture. They play Westbury at home on the 24th April with a trip to Cribbs on the 27th to hopefully launch them into the play-offs as they sit just one point behind Bristol Manor Farm.
Football: Odd Down AFC: The Down took a point at home against Bradford Town on Saturday in a 1-1 draw. They currently lie in 15th place in the Toolstation Western Football League Division One with one game to go.
Netball: Team Bath Netball: The Blue and Golds lost away to a strong London Pulse outfit by 76-50 but stayed in the game trailing just 10 points and putting in a gutsy final quarter losing by 16-13 in an improved performance.
Bath lie second to bottom in the league with only one win this season so far. They next play Sarecens Mavericks away on the 27th April.
Looking ahead there is much talk about next season’s fully professional league in which Bath will hope to take part in. The fear for some clubs is the new Super League will not have relegation and promotion meaning it is a closed league. It is expected to be a franchise model with tenders put in by teams. Whether it remains related to Universities and rugby clubs is open to debate. If Bath fail to be in the new set up then gaining entry in the future will be problematic. Bath have just three points from one win this season and are second to bottom in the league.
Pentathlon: Bath University’s Kerenza Bryson built on her best-ever fencing performance to claim the second UIPM World Cup gold of her career in Ankara, Turkey. The pentathlete, who had won bronze in the opening World Cup of the Paris 2024 Olympic season, was in magnificent form in the fencing ranking round as she won 27 of her 35 bouts. That meant she started the women’s final with a 20-point advantage over the field and she maintained that with an outstanding ride, using all her equestrian skills to control a nervous horse and complete the course without picking up any penalties. Her rivals were able to close the gap slightly in the swimming but Bryson underlined her dominance in the laser-run, eventually crossing the line 26 seconds clear of silver-medallist Seungmin Seong of South Korea.
Rugby: Bath Rugby Union Club: Revenge was sweet for the BB&Ws when they turned over Exeter at Sandy Park in a 14-26 win following losing out in the cup last time to the Chiefs. It was the first time in eight years Bath won away at the Devon club so following the game which saw several high profile injuries including Finn Russell it was particularly rewarding to notch up a famous victory.
Tries: Alfie Barbeary (28), Ben Spencer (40), Max Ojomoh (52), Miles Reid (52)
Conversions: Ben Spencer (29) (40) (53)
Bath Rugby: 1 Beno Obano, 2 Tom Dunn, 3 Will Stuart, 4 Quinn Roux, 5 Charlie Ewels, 6 Ted Hill, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Alfie Barbeary, 9 Ben Spencer (c), 10 Orlando Bailey, 11 Will Muir, 12 Max Ojomoh, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 15 Matt Gallagher
Replacements: 16 Hame Faiva, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Archie Griffin 19 Jacques du Plessis, 20 Josh Bayliss, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Will Butt, 23 Miles Reid
Their next home match in the league is on Friday 26th April at The Rec.
Sport clubs listed in Alphabetical Order with how to contact them
American Football: Bath Killer Bees: The Bath Killer Bees are current members of the British Universities American Football League (BUAFL)’s South Western Atlantic Conference (SWAC). See their website for details. https://www.thesubath.com/americanfootball/
Athletics: Team Bath Athletics Club is based at the University of Bath Sports Training Village and is open to all abilities and ages from 7 upwards. Sports include track and field, road and trail running, endurance and cross country. Club nights are Tuesdays and Thursdays 6pm -8pm.To join and for details visit https://teambathac.org/
Badminton: Bath Badminton Club. Sports Centre, North Parade Road, Bath. The club meet on Thursday evenings all year round except certain holiday periods and August. www.bathbadminton.co.uk
Badminton: Oldfield Park Badminton Club, Hayesfield Sports Hall Upper Oldfield Lane. www.badmintoninbath.co.uk/
Badminton: Bath Women’s Badminton Club. Sports Centre, North Parade Road, Bath. www.bathwomensbadmintonclub.net/
Boules: City of Bath Pétanque Club. The club plays Pétanque and is open to all, with juniors and non-players welcome. If you haven’t played before, give it a go. The club is based at Larkhall Sports Club, but they also play in Queen Square Wednesday mornings, weather permitting. https://bathboules.co.uk/
Bowling: Bath Bowling Club. Based at Pulteney Road the club is open for membership to anyone who wishes to take up the sport, whether you wish to play socially, competitively or both. The outdoor season is normally from April to September and your first year’s membership is free of charge. Pop along and come in and see us, have a drink and watch a game. Visit https://www.bathbowlingclub.com/
Cricket: Bath Cricket Club: The club is based at North Parade and was founded in 1859 and has a long and interesting history charted on their website at https://www.bathcricket.com/
There are four main teams – with two elevens of the Bath Wanderers Women sides and an U19’s XI as well. Plus, there are teams for girls from U10s to U15s, and youth cricket for the same ages – to join or for more info visit the website. The men’s first team play in the West of England Premier Cricket League (WEPL), the ECB National Club Championship, the ECB T20 competition and the Somerset Cup.
Cricket: Bath Wanderers Women Cricket Club. The team take part in the West of England Premier Cricket League (WEPL). See https://www.bathcricket.com/
Cricket: Bear Flat Cricket Club. Established in 1982, the Bears are in Division 1 of the Wiltshire County Cricket League (WCCL) on Saturdays, with a home ground at The Glasshouse Academy, Bradford Road, Combe Down, Bath; there’s also games in Division 7 Blue of the Somerset Monmouth League on Saturdays, home ground the Ken Willcox Ground, Peasedown St John, Bath; and friendlies against clubs based in Somerset/Wiltshire on Sundays; and T20 games against clubs based in Somerset/Wiltshire midweek; plus they participation in the Somerset Knock Out cup.
For more details of the various teams plus the youth and children teams visit https://bearflatcc.org.uk/
Cricket: Hampset Cricket Club: based at Bloomfield Rise, Odd Down, Bath, the club was founded in 1940 and features a large number of elevens including the Scholars, development XI, midweek Saturday and Sunday elevens, junior teams from under 9s to u13s and indoor squads. The 1st XI play in the Bristol & District Cricket Association – First Division 2023. Details at https://hampsetcc.play-cricket.com/home
Cricket: Somerset County Cricket Club
The club are based at the county ground in Taunton although in the past have played some matches at Bath and Weston-super-Mare. They are in the top flight of the cricket structure and have two first class elevens plus a women’s team and female players can be selected for the regional team Western Storm. For details visit https://somersetcountycc.co.uk/
Croquet: Bath Croquet Club
To join or for more info contact Hester Henebury on email hester2210@btinternet.com or visit https://www.bathcroquet.com/
Cycling: Bath Cycling Club welcomes new members of all ages and abilities – visit https://www.bathcc.net/
Cycling: Bike Bath has moved to Westonbirt School in the Cotswolds. The annual cycling event will take place on 1st September 2024. Details: https://www.bikebath.co.uk/
Equestrian: Bath Racecourse
See the website for dates: https://www.bath-racecourse.co.uk/
Equestrian: Badminton International Eventing
See the website for dates: https://www.badminton-horse.co.uk/
Football: Bath City FC. Bath play in the National League South, the sixth tier of the football pyramid. The home ground is Twerton Park and the manager is Jerry Gill. Known as the Romans and play in black and white vertical stripes. See https://www.bathcityfc.com/
Football: Bath City Women
The Bath City Women Development Team play in the Somerset County Women’s League in Division 2 North. See https://www.bathcityfc.com/
Football: Larkhall Athletic FC. Founded in 1914 the Larks play in the Southern League Division One South (SLD1S) and are based at the Securitas Stadium, Plain Ham. With a development team, a youth team and a women’s team the Larks are one of the leading outfits in the city. They are part of Larkhall Sports Club. Visit https://larkhallathletic.com/
Football: Odd Down FC. They are currently members of the Western League Division One (WLD1) and play at the Lew Hill Memorial Ground. See https://www.odddownbathafc.co.uk/
Hockey: City of Bath Hockey Club
City of Bath were formed from a merger between Bath & Phillipians Hockey Club’s and they play at Lansdown. For details visit https://www.cobhc.org.uk/
Hockey: Team Bath Buccaneers Hockey Club
Team Bath Buccaneers is one of the largest and most successful Hockey Clubs in the West of England with over 800 members. Open to new members. Based at University of Bath. For details visit https://www.teambathbuccaneers.co.uk/clubNews
Hockey: Team Bath Hockey Club
The University of Bath Hockey Club has six men’s and six ladies’ teams who play in the British University & Colleges (BUCS) leagues on Wednesdays. Based at University of Bath. Details at https://www.teambath.com/sport/hockey/
Modern Pentathlon: Team GB had an incredible performance at the home World Championships held at the University of Bath, with a seven-strong squad qualifying across the women’s and men’s finals.
The Modern Pentathlon World Championships took place in August with the Mixed Relay Finals. If you missed the action, you can catch up on BBC iPlayer and photos are available on the UIPM Flickr account.
Netball: Team Bath Netball.
Team Bath Netball play in the Vitality Netball Super League. Details at https://netball.teambath.com/. Season and match-day tickets are on sale now, visit netball.teambath.com/tickets for further details.
Rugby: Bath Rugby Union Club Men
The Blue, Black and Whites play at the Rec in Bath and play in the Champions cup and the Gallagher Premiership league – the top flight. See https://www.bathrugby.com/
Rugby: Bath Rugby Ladies Club Women
For details see https://www.bathrugbyladies.com/
Rugby: Bath Saracens RFC
Bath Saracens are an amateur rugby club competing in the Dorset & Wilts 3 Central. Formed on 13th March 1947, Bath Saracens are still going strong 75 years on. See https://bathsaracens.co.uk/events/category/games/
• Sat 6 Apr. Home V Warminster.
Rugby: Combe Down RFC
in 1896 the club currently play home fixtures at Holly’s Corner, Bramble Way. Details on their Face Book site. Details at https://combedownrfc.rfu.club/
Rugby: Bath Gladiators Rugby League Club
Bath Gladiators will participate in the newly established Franchise Rugby League starting this season. Visit: https://bathgladiators.com/
Swimming: Dolphins: Based at Bath Leisure Centre and established in 1899, Bath Dolphin Swimming Club (BDSC) is one of the oldest swimming clubs in the South West Region. They provide competitive swimming opportunities for young swimmers through to a masters swimming group. As a holder of the Swim England quality accreditation, Swim Mark, they offer a year round competitive swim team with high quality coaching and technique instruction for all ages and abilities.
Swimming: Team Bath: Based at the University the swimming programme offers opportunities for all users, from learn-to-swim sessions and daily swim-fit sessions for the public to our performance set-up which is home to a British Swimming Performance Centre. See https://www.teambath.com/sport/swimming/
Tennis: Bloomfield Tennis Club was founded in 1927 and is located at 98 Wellsway, Bath. The club welcomes new members. To join visit https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/BloomfieldTennisClub
Tennis: Bath Tennis Club is at Park Lane, Weston, and bills itself at a friendly club. The club has a number of membership categories ranging from pay as you go to full membership. For details visit www.bathtc.co.uk
Tennis: Team Bath Tennis. For more see https://www.teambath.com/sport/tennis/