Latest Sports News by Harry Mottram
Football: Bath City FC: It was an Easter double-header as City took on Weymouth and Taunton in a bid to launch themselves into a promotion charge – and with four points from the two games the Romans are back in contention in seventh place in the league. The seasiders are a tough outfit to crack so a 1-1 draw was a good result at home for city with Cooke and Raynes bagging the goal in front of a large Good Friday bank holiday crowd numbering 1,945. It signals a growing support for the club – aided by a strong showing this season.
In their match report City said: “A late Weymouth equaliser denied City victory in a 1-1 draw at Twerton Park this afternoon. Joe Raynes’ first goal for over four years had given the Romans the lead at half-time but substitute Touray lashed home a deserved leveller for the Terras with eleven minutes left. And the visitors should have grabbed all three points but for an incredible miss by Rollinson in the final minute.”
Taunton have been struggling this season and City took advantage of the Peacocks’ problems with Cooke and Bates both netting to grab three points on the road and 0-2 win.
In their match report City said: “City moved back into the National League South play-off places this afternoon with a hard-fought 2-0 win over struggling Taunton Town at Wordsworth Drive. An early strike from Cody Cooke and stoppage time Jack Bates cracker bookended a resilient defensive showing.”
On Saturday 6th April they play Tonbridge Angels at Twerton Park with Hampton and Richmond Borough the following Tuesday away. It they can pick up six points from the two games they will leapfrog the Surrey club as they enter the business end of the season and realistic chance of being in the playoffs.
Football: Larkhall Athletic: The Larks gave a masterclass in footballing terms as they beat Bashley away from home by three goals to one in one of their best performances this season. The result propels them into sixth place in the league. Ferris had a brace and Lambert sealed the win on 52 minutes – this after Bashley had taken a first half lead. If the Larks can overcome Mousehole AFC on Saturday they could be in the playoffs and a shot at promotion with just five games remaining. (Pictured)
Odd Down AFC: The Down played Radstock on Good Friday in a thrilling 3-3 draw in front of home crowd but lost out by a single goal on Easter Monday to Warminster.
Rugby: Bath Rugby Union Club: On Easter Saturday Bath travelled to The Stoop in Twickenham to play Harlequins and came to close to pulling off one of the come back second halves of all time – but just fell short losing by 40-36. However the late flurry of tries meant two bonus points keeping them in second place in the Gallagher English Premiership Table on 44 points with Northampton above them on 49 points. Saracens and Quins are on 42 with Bristol and Exeter on 40.
In their match report the club said: “Staring at a 3-40 deficit just after the break, the Blue, Black and White stormed back to score five second half tries and register 33 unanswered points to ensure a nail-biting finish. Scores through Will Muir, Alfie Barbeary, Louis Schreuder, Ruaridh McConnochie, and Elliott Stooke helped bring Bath to within four points at the end after Harlequins had raced ahead in the first 40 minutes.”
Finn Russell added more points with four conversions and kicking a penalty in a match that saw the debut appearance of Jacques du Plessis at 4. Next Saturday (April 6) sees the return of the Investec Champions Cup as Bath travel down the M5 to face Exeter Chiefs in the Round of 16 (kick-off 3pm).
Team Bath Netball: The Blue and Golds’ match against Cardiff on April 12 will be live on Sky Sports TV – while they need to pick up points when they go up against Leeds Rhinos on Friday 5th April in Bath university. 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. If Bath fail to be in the new set up then gaining entry will be problematic. Bath have just three points from one win this season and are second to bottom in the league.
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/