By Harry Mottram
Bath City FC: It’s a critical time for the Romans in the run-up to the all-important Christmas and new Year games when a season can turn one way or another. With just 15 points the team are only one place above the drop zone and could do with a winning run to ensure they don’t get drawn into a relegation dog fight. If they can take the points in their next two league games which are at home then they will feel more comfortable – those games are Weston-super-Mare on Saturday 9th November, and Maidstone on Tuesday 19th November. There’s a cup game on Saturday 16th at home against Chertsey while they are away in the league on Saturday 23rd November at Eastbourne.
Recent games were a loss away to St Albans by 3-2 although Russe and Wanjau-Smith both scored on 26th October and a 0-2 defeat to Worthing at Twerton Park on 29th October.
Football: Bath City Women FC: A thumping 1-4 away win against Purton with goals from Key, Clarke, Taylor, and Goater sets up an encounter with league strugglers Downend Flyers on Sunday 10th November at home in Twerton. The Purton points keep the women’s team in 6th spot in the Regen Arable South West Regional Womens Football League Division 1 North with Gloucester City Women currently top. The women also won 4-2 in their home fixture on Sunday 6 October against Corsham Town but lost on Sunday 27th October, 2024, at home against Royal Wootton Bassett Town in the league by one goal to two with Taylor bagging their goal.
A cup game beckons on Sunday 17th November against Crewkerne Rangers down in south Somerset while nearer to home on the 24th November they are away to Stockwood.
Football: Larkhall Athletic: The Larks took on Didcot at home on Saturday 19th October in the league winning 3-2 in a thriller. They also overcame Bemerton Heath Harlequins on 22nd October, by 2-5. They faced Thatcham Town on 26 October at home and came out winners by 3-0. Next they made it four on the trot with a win at Cribbs on 2nd November in the Southern League South Division with a 1-2 victory. Next it is Evesham at home on 9th November. The Larks are in 14th place in the league – but with those wins have moved away from the relegation zone four points below them. Yate Town currently are top.
Football: Odd Down: On Saturday, 5 October the Down bagged a 2-1 home win against Hengrove Athletic but lost out to Wells City FC away by 4-0. They faced the Cheesemen of Cheddar away on Saturday 19th October in the league but went down to a two goal to nil defeat. Defeat in the Somerset Cup to Hengrove followed with a league defeat at home to Longwell Green by 2-4 on 26 October completed the gloom compounded by a 0-3 home defeat to Wells City on 29th October. On November 2nd they play local rivals Calne Town at home in the Jewson Western League First Division at Lew Hill Memorial Ground.
Hockey: City of Bath Hockey Club: The men’s first team thrashed Swindon 2s by 11-0 on November 2nd while the women’s first team also beat a Swindon 2s team by 2-1. On Saturday 12 October the women’s first team beat Team Bath Buccaneers by 0-3 away while the men bagged a 1-1 draw against Lansdown at home. On the 20th October a mixed team beat Keynsham 6-4 while the day before the men’s first team beat Stroud 4-3.
Rugby: Bath Rugby Union Club: The Blue, Black and Whites beat the Quins on Saturday 19th October at The Stoop by 24-26 and made it two wins in a row after a 40-23 victory over Sale at the Rec. In the cup they played away at Ampthill 0-73 in a one sided game on Saturday 2nd November. Their next league game is at home against Bristol on 9th November before another cup game away from home at Bedford on Saturday 15th November.
In other news Ollie Lawrence, Ben Spencer and Will Stuart have been named in England’s starting line-up to face Australia on Saturday 9 November (kick-off 15:10) at Twickenham.
The Bath Ladies RFC played Richmond at the Rec on the 26 October going down to an 8-26 points defeat. Despite the set back it was good to see the women play in front of a large crowd in the double header – with players of the match given as: Forward – Chlöe Fletcher, Back – Ellie Ratcliffe. However they overcame Henley Hawks in Bath by 34-12 on Sunday 3rd November.
Rugby: Combe Down RFC: On the 12th October the first team lost at home to Royal Wootton Bassett by 19-38 but bounced back with a 24-17 win at home over Frome.
Rugby: Walcot RFC: The club have an unusual history with several name changes but began life in 1882 and currently play at the Albert Field Lansdown, Bath. They beat Salisbury away on the 19th October by 24-37 and narrowly lost to Royal Wootton Bassett at home the following week by 25-29. Next up is Dorchester away on the 9th November.
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 have played in the Vitality Netball Super League. See https://netball.teambath.com/
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/
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: Walcot RFC
The club began life in 1882 and currently play at the Albert Field Lansdown, Bath. Visit https://walcotrfc.rfu.club/
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/