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Click here to see last season's writeups.
| Presidents/Chairmans - 30th April 2005 |
Presidents 32 Chairmans 62
The inter-club match that is traditionally the climax of our season was a little unconventional this time. Because of reduced availability, we were down to 9-a-side. As this required a more sprightly approach, the game was divided up into 4 quarters of 15 minutes each - like 2 glorified 7's matches. The President, Paul Kavanagh, captained his own side, and the Chairman, Dave Pyles, willed encouragement from the touchline. The 1st quarter actually started with 8 players a-side but after the first try by Gary Dunn, 2 touchline recruits, Dave Webster and Steve Marfleet bolstered the numbers. The convention adopted throughout the match was that the scorer attempted the conversion, and Gary was successful with his. Duncan Guthrie then scored an impressive breakaway try and conversion, which was replied to by Ross Davidson, giving a 1st quarter result of 7/14. Kavs then scored a try and conversion, followed by Tudor Croft (who drop-kicked his extra 2 points). Steve Marfleet ran in a try wide-out, but missed the conversion, and then Trevor Brooks scored a converted try. After a scintillating run by Ed Bentley, Shaggy Dagger replied with a converted try, followed by another from Kavs after a lineout near the opposition try line. This quarter then ended with Trevor crossing the line, but being held up and denied a score. Result at the halfway point was 28/33. Andy Blackburn then increased the Chairman's lead with a breakaway try, unconverted, following which was a debate with Roland Bartlett (the referee) about a foot in touch as Trevor ran down the edge of the pitch to score. Common consent was that a lineout should be awarded instead. Gary then scored a try, and was allowed the conversion (which actually seemed to pass right over the left-hand post). At this point Steve Marfleet attempted to tackle a fired-up Kavs scorching down the wing and ended up with a dislocated shoulder as reward for his efforts, lying for the whole of the last quarter on his back waiting for an ambulance. Even with reduced numbers, Trevor scored a nice try for Chairmans, after an impressive sideways skip movement by James. The 3rd quarter ended at 28/52. The final quarter started with Kavs selling a classic dummy after a scrum in front of the posts and scoring an unconverted try. The Chairmans impressively replied with a try by James after a two-man overlap - not bad considering they were one short! There was nearly a follow-up when Shaggy knocked-on and Gary kicked through over the scoreline, but the ball went dead. Persistence prevailed, however, and Tudor scored an unconverted try. The final score was 5 tries to 10. Hugh S. |
| Plymouth CS - 24th April 2005 |
Plymouth CS 85 Bath Saracens 5
After a second boozy tour night, Saracens did not look too convincing in the warm-up, although they had done everything they could to disguise their frailty by wearing false 1920's moustaches! The opposition weren't fooled though - they scored two tries in the first 5 minutes with good support work and by determined running. The second try was a breakaway from the kick-off after the first! Two more breakaway tries followed and a few minutes later an adventurous Sarries back attempted an interception and missed, giving them an open field for a further try (shades of Bath/Leeds at Twickers the weekend before!). Sarries then applied good forward pressure and won a penalty 10 metres away from the line. Instead of taking 3 consolation points they went for a try, but were repelled. This happened straight away again but Plymouth regained possession and Scott Horner cunningly intercepted a pass - but unfortunately he dropped it, and the opposition gratefully picked it up and playing on their advantage ran the length of the pitch to score. There were two more tries in the (thankfully shortened) first half through failed tackles, giving a half-time score of 52-0. The second half was a repeat of the first with much determined loose play from Sarries, but tries being scored by dazzling runs from the opposition - so impressive that the Sarries stood and watched admiringly as they ran past! After 5 such achievements in 20 minutes, Tudor Croft had a penalty attempt from 35 metres which unfortunately fell short. A couple of minutes later there was another award from the same spot, but this time they took a quick one and Tudor just managed to squeeze in a consolation try in the corner. The referee called time straight after, giving a final scoreline of 13 tries to 1. My Man of the Match was Dom Farris. Hugh S. |
| Perranporth - 23rd April 2005 |
Perranporth 40 Bath Saracens 0
This was the first game on tour, and it highlighted the excessive beer-intake of the night before! Sarries put a lot of effort into it but suffered the frustration of countless breakaways by the opposition - more dummies were bought than in Boots! Perranporth's first try was after 5 minutes, following two missed tackles, and the next was 15 minutes later. There was then a strong recovery by Saracens, putting the opposition under pressure, and the half-time score was 14-0. The second half drained any energy reserves that Sarries had been drawing on. It opened up with two swift tries by Perranporth in the first 10 minutes - both from overlaps and evaded tackles. Perhaps this increased our motivation - we were attacking in the opposition's half when there was yet another breakaway try down the full length of the pitch. The second half saw two more tries before the referee brought Sarries' torture to an end, giving Perranporth a score sheet of 7 converted tries. Because his zombie state led to so many missed tackles, arse of the match was Paul Kavanagh. A memorable moment from the touchline was when Pete Oliver and Dougie MacLachlan clashed heads in loose play, sounding remarkably like a direct hit in a coconut-shy! Thankfully, being the robust forwards they are there were no ill-effects. Hugh S. |
| Haverfordwest 2nds - 9th April 2005 |
Bath Saracens 48 Haverfordwest 2nds 21
Click here to see some photos. |
| Old Morganians - 2nd April 2005 |
Bath Saracens 24 Morganians 17
Click here to see some photos. |
| Castle Cary - 12th March 2005 |
Castle Cary 10 Bath Saracens 10
This was a tough game for Castle Cary who were looking for a win after a defeat earlier In the season, and from the kick-off the spectators knew they were in for a memorable game. Both sides started the game giving their all, looking for the gaps in their opposition back line, and halfway through the first period, Saracens found a chink in Cary's defence and exploited it to open the scoring. This only seemed to encourage Cary to push the Saracens backs harder, but despite some near breakthroughs, they were unable to score. Cary came back in the second half with drive and determination to win. This became evident with four injured players littered across the field with the referee stopping play to allow the injured to be treated. Cary continued to try to puncture the Saracens' back line with some beautiful ball play, but they were unable to find the weakness needed to score. The breakthrough for Cary came from a line out in Saracens' 22. With the ball being caught and the Cary pack driving for the line, Pete Richardson scored the first of his two tries. With the try under their belts, Cary picked up the tempo and minutes later had an exact replay of the first try, but this time on the opposite side of the pitch. However, this game was full of twists and turns with the home side being dealt a tough hand by fate which led to a long period of injury time. In the dying seconds of the game Saracens equalised from a scrum in Cary's 22, ending a truly exciting game. |
| Old Sulians - 19th February 2005 |
Bath Saracens 3 Old Sulians 27
SOMERSET 2 title hopefuls Old Sulians were given a thorough workout by hosts Bath Saracens on their way to a 27-3 victory, which guaranteed them promotion back to Somerset I with a game to spare. Sarries were well in contention right up to half-time, taking the lead with an early penalty and keeping Sulians pinned in their own half for long spells thanks to solid tackling and enterprising three-quarter play. Sulians' try line, however, remained unbroken and, while they found attacks hard to sustain, full-back Dicks levelled the score and his pitch-length run set up the visitors' opening try. With scrum-half Gardener constantly probing, the introduction of replacements Kellock and Sheppard saw Sulians take control after the break. Kellock's speed and diagonal runs earned him two second-half tries as Sarries began to struggle defensively. And when winger Hope added another touch-down with Dicks adding the second of two conversions, Sulians were on easy street. (Our penalty was by Tudor Croft.) Written by Old Sulians |
| Old Edwardians - 29th January 2005 | Old Edwardians 38 Bath Saracens 6
Aided by the vociferous support of the club's vice presidents, who had turned out in force, Bath Old Edwardians achieved a decisive 38-6 victory over long-term rivals Bath Saracens. Early superiority at the set piece gave Old Eds good field position and for the first 20 minutes Saracens found it almost impossible to get out of their own half. Handling errors frustrated Old Eds but, eventually, the pressure told and from a penalty which was taken quickly, the ball was swung out to prop and stand-in captain Andrew Charlton, who managed to barge his way over for the first score. Saracens responded immediately with a penalty, converted by fly-half Tudor Croft, but Old Eds gathered themselves and after some weaving runs by winger Poolman and full-back Harrison, second row Oli Smith gave the home side an important score, converted by Will Lamb. Inspired by a rousing half-time team talk, Old Eds started the second period strongly and after club stalwart Ben Jelly's break, Chris Wrigley ran in a magnificent try, which Lamb converted. Saracens came back with a further penalty from Croft and for a period threatened the home side's line. However, frustrated by a strong Old Eds defence, tensions grew and Saracens were penalised by the referee who reduced them to 14 men for most of the second half. Despite some brave defending, the player difference proved significant, and Old Eds punished a disheartened Saracens with three quality scores from Jelly, Smith and Randall to achieve a comfortable victory. |
| Bristol Telephones - 15th January 2005 | Bath Saracens 17 Bristol Telephones 16
Bath Saracens battled out a 17-16 win over Bristol Telephones from the Gloucester league. The visitors took an early 3-0 lead with a penalty before Saracens scored their first try through centre Gareth Hind. Telephones regained the lead through a drop goal by their fly half, but shortly afterwards Saracens winger Andy Powell scored a second try. In the second half of the game the lead changed several times, with Telephones scoring an unconverted try and Saracens scoring a 3rd try through full back Paul Kavanagh. Tudor Croft added a conversion for a 17-11 lead. Telephones scored their second try and with the score at 17-16 failed to take the lead with a conversion attempt hitting the post, and then missed a long range penalty kick in the last play of the game. Phil Cheese was Sarries Man of the Match. Rob L |
| Somerton - 8th January 2005 | Somerton 43 Bath Saracens 19
From my mainly horizontal position I was unable to observe many of the finer points of play as they were regularly obscured by several large arses (Mr. Curtis, Cheese etc.). A sensational start saw Sarries storm into the lead after some great pressure from the forwards - Andy Blackburn provided the final delicate touch. Somerton restored normality (15 players against 12) after Skippy Salisbury left the field with a bad ankle injury (later found to be a partial dislocation), further reducing Sarries already beleaguered numbers. A moment of magic from the president (Mr. Kavanagh) saw Sarries level the game against the odds and nearing ½ time the score stood at 12-12. Shortly before ½ time Somerton made their numbers count and scored two tries to restore their lead, Robby Rugby was taken out twice by his own team while trying to chase down the Somerton ball carrier which did not improve his usually bad temperament. A tremendous sporting gesture showed by Somerton in the second half provided Sarries with several players to even up the numbers but by this time it was too late to swing the game. Sarries scored a try, again after some great play by the forwards with Andy Blackburn cruising over from a 5 metre scrum. Sarries plied more pressure but then conceded a try in the last move of the game after Somerton broke away from their own line. The final result was 43-19, Paul Kavanagh got Man of the Match. Rob L |
| Old Morganians - 4th December 2004 |
Old Morganians 35 Bath Saracens 0
I'm sure someone will do a write-up soon (?) - in the meantime click here to see some photos. |
| Castle Cary - 13th November 2004 |
Bath Saracens 24 Castle Cary 15
BATH Saracens had the stronger pack and dominated the scrums and line-outs. They supplied a lot of good ball for their backs who scored all of the home team's tries. Castle Gary actually took the lead with an early interception try. But Saracens got right back into the game and by halfway through the second half led 24-5 after some great moves involving both their forwards and backs. Castle Gary upped their game for the last quarter and deserved their two further tries. But Saracens held out and were the stronger side in the last minutes of the game. Bath Saracens: tries, G Hind, L Garton, P Kavanagh, T Croft; cons, T Croft 2. |
| Old Sulians - 30th October 2004 |
Old Sulians 39 Bath Saracens 9
Sarries had availability problems and were a man short at kick-off. Despite this they made a strong start and opened the scoring with a penalty. Sulians' reply was 4 tries in rapid succession - 3 from fast open play and the fourth from a scrum near the try-line. Then up stepped Mark Button - who retired a couple of seasons ago and had come along with his family to spectate. His presence as centre certainly made a difference and the only change to the scoreline during the first half was a penalty to Saracens, making it 22-6 to Sulians. The second half was well-contested with both sides displaying strong attack and defence, until 20 minutes-in when disaster struck - the 'late recruit' Mark Button, suffered a serious (and extremely painful) broken ankle. The following disruption while we waited 45 minutes for an ambulance to arrive, completely spoiled the continuity of the game. With Saracens back to 14 men, Sulians re-gained the edge in their attacks and they ran-in a further 3 tries before the final whistle. Tough luck, Mark - we all wish you a speedy recovery. Scorer: Tudor Croft - 3 penalties. Hugh Sawyer |
| Start of season 2004/05 Text from the Bath Chronicle Rugby supplement 31st August 2004. See the photo here. |
Coaching duties are currently in the hands of 1st XV squad members Pete Oliver and Tudor Croft, who have taken charge of Sarries' pre-season preparations with support from previous incumbent Ken Hole. But club captain Martin Ellis and the Sarries committee are keen to take the responsibility off their shoulders and pass it to a specialist. "We would like to bring a coach on board to help us lift performance levels across the board," said Ellis. "We haven't had anybody coaching us on a dedicated full-time basis, as it were, since Ken Hole had to give up the post when he moved to Wales. "Pete and Tudor do a great job but it's a bit unfair to expect them to shoulder the load of coaching the team and playing in it. "We feel we would have more to gain as a club and as a team from having an objective third party on the touchline and in charge of training sessions." Last season, Sarries got off to a great start in their Somerset 2 campaign only for injuries to key squad personnel to cost them vital momentum in the second half of the season. "This season, we feel we're better off for player numbers and we don't think we can be as unlucky again on the injury front," said Ellis. "We've recruited a few players over the summer which has brought us a new centre and an impressive lock, an Aussie called Dan Curtis, who has looked good in training, and we'll start the season with a 30-man squad or thereabouts. "Like most clubs, we've also lost a couple of players over the summer - loose-head prop Alex Lees, who we will miss a great deal, has moved out of the area, for example." Ellis hopes a full 36-match fixture list which has padded out Sarries' 14-match league programme will help keep all 30 players happy. "Everybody appreciates that it's sheer purgatory to train every week and not get games, so we've got a list of friendlies which will make sure we have a game every weekend and that should make sure all of our guys get a fair bit of game-time over the course of the season." Ellis, who won last season's player of the year award, will lead his side into the league campaign in optimistic mood and looking forward to what he believes will be a "wide open" Somerset 2 title race. "It looks as though the Bath-based clubs - us, Old Eds and Old Sulians - will be there or thereabouts as the season develops," said Ellis. "Our guys have all made a strong commitment to make themselves available week in, week out next season to help us make a decent fist of trying to win promotion in April. "Consistency in terms of both selection and performance will be the key to achieving our targets and we reckon we're in decent shape to have a real go at them." |