Latest Sports News by Harry Mottram
Cricket: Bear Flat Cricket Club: The new season beckons with the club up to 140 members – with the junior squads of the Bear Cubs and the Grizzlies in action. I met up with James from the team today – his main concern is the universal one for all clubs – the rain this month is proving a problem for fixtures. Let’s hope it finally warms up so we can hear the sound of leather on willow again.
Cricket: Somerset County Cricket Club: Somerset drew their match against Surrey at The Oval in a County Division One fixture which follows two draws – one against Exeter University and the other against Kent. Tom Lammonby scored a cool 100 in the first innings while Lewis Gregory hit 80 in the second innings for Somerset
Football: Bath City FC: Good news – ‘The Gaffer’ is staying at Twerton Park next season. One of the most gifted manager and coaches in the National League South there are fears he could be poached by a football league club. The Club published this statement: “The Board is pleased to announce Jerry Gill has signed a new contract and therefore will be staying on as our manager. Jerry has shown great tenacity this season, using his footballing links to recruit some brilliant new players, and keeping us in or close to the promotion places throughout the season. The Club has enjoyed record attendances this season which is credit to the quality of play and inclusive community atmosphere.”
On his extension Jerry said “I’m delighted to extend my stay at Bath City. It is a special Club and means a lot to me. We have an amazing group of committed players, both on and off the pitch. We hope we can keep this group together as much as possible going into the new season. We have plenty to play for and are determined to secure our target of a playoff spot.”
It’s squeaky bum time as the Romans make their final bid to be in the play-offs and potential promotion to the National League. An edgy win on Saturday over former Football League team Torquay has seen them consolidate their position in 7th place in the Vanarama National League South, one point above Hampton and Richmond Borough. Aveley who Bath play next are hoping to end The Borough as they have a game in hand. Bath will likely be playing their first play-off match in early May as long there isn’t a late slip up. Frear was the marksman on target for City against the Devon outfit who put up a stubborn resistance in front of more than 2,700 spectators. It is interesting to note gates have been up this season as Bath City’s resurgence under Jerry Gill’s stewardship as fans keep the promotion dream alive.
Football: Bath City Women FC: The team picked up three points with a sensational win over local rivals Frome when Mils Bellotti scored in the 90th minute from a free kick on April 7. Now it’s eyes down for the final game at home against Purton.
Football: Larkhall Athletic: With a one nil victory over Paulton the Larks are into the play-off zone with games in hand over chasing Yate and Evesham. Matt Bowman was on target to give the Larks three points over Paulton Rovers in the first half – the team held on to take the spoils.
Football: Odd Down AFC: The Down beat the Shire away in the Toolstation league fixture with three points from the match in Shirehampton.
Netball: Team Bath Netball: The Blue and Golds lost out in a close match against rivals Cardiff Dragons in front of 1,200 spectators and Sky Sports viewers at home by 46-52. In a match that could have gone either way with only two goals in it at half time. The Dragons managed to create a lead in the third quarter but it led to grandstand final few minutes revealing the improvement in the Bath team when under pressure.
Asha Francis, Team Bath Netball Head Coach, said: “We didn’t come away with the outcome we wanted but in terms of the performance, the fight and how dynamic we were, that is something we really need to take and make sure we push on. I feel we performed across all four quarters and some of the changes we made showed good impact.
“That’s been our story this season, though, the critical moments that just get away. We had some great turnovers but then a rush of blood to the head where we are throwing ball to people who are clearly covered. It’s learning how to deal with those moments where you really need to make sure you take it through to goal, that you still see all your options. Those are definitely big things we need to work on in the second half of the season.”
Bath are second to bottom in the league with only one win this season so far. The Dragons were favourites to win with four wins and one draw. Manchester are top along with Loughborough both on 24 points.
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.
Rugby: Bath Rugby Union Club: Scottish ex-pats Finn Russell and Cameron Redpath won’t have a chance to turn the tables on rivals Exeter at Sandy Park on 20th April in a Gallagher Premiership fixture as they are injured. They join a list of players struggling for fitness. Sam Harris is out for the rest of the season; Ted Hill has a chest injury and may not make the Exeter game as a result. Cameron has ankle ligament problems and Finn Russell’s groin injury is keeping him out of the Exeter rematch. Some good news – both Josh McNally and GJ Van Velze are available again.
On the bright side the club has confirmed the signing of loosehead prop, Francois van Wyk on a two-year deal. Joining from Leicester Tigers, the South African will arrive at Farleigh House ready for 2024/25 pre-season training. Ross Malony is also joining the BB&Ws next season from Leinster.
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/