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Click here to see last season's writeups.
| Old Edwardians 18th February 2006 |
Bath Saracens 15 Old Edwardians 18 This was a top of the table clash, with the winner certain to claim 2nd spot. Sarries started the game well - however a mixup in defence led to a converted try, plus a penalty saw Sarries 10-nil down. They then came back strongly with two tries, one of which was converted, to lead 12-10 at half time. Old E's came out of the blocks quicker after the restart and went back in front with an unconverted try. Dom Farris levelled the scores at 15-all with a penalty, but a moment of madness in the Sarries forwards gave Old E's an easy penalty in front of the posts to retake the lead at 18-15. Sarries were unlucky not to level the score when Dom hit a post with a long range penalty just before the end. Rob L. |
| Old Morganians 4th February 2006 |
Bath Saracens 50 Old Morganians 12 Bath Saracens moved within 2 points of the leaders in Somerset Division 2 with a 50-12 win over Morganians. Played in perfect conditions at the Sulis club, Sarries built up a half time lead of 31-0 and a big win looked on the cards. However Morganians came back strongly early in the second half and two well taken tries reduced the deficit to 31-12. Sarries then stepped up a gear and with their mobile pack providing plenty of good ball to the backs they added a further 3 tries. Try scorers for Sarries were Dom Farris 2, Tudor Croft 2, Andy Powell, Will James, Steve Fielding and Trevor Brooks. Dom Farris added 5 Conversions. Rob L. |
| Somerton 21st January 2006 |
Bath Saracens 26 Somerton 22 Trailing 17-0 at half time Sarries faced an uphill battle against the league leaders in this Somerset league 2 fixture. Things got worse in the first minute of the 2nd half when a mix up in the backs allowed Somerton through for their 3rd try and a 22-0 lead. However with their pack on top in the set pieces and looking increasingly dominant in the loose Sarries kept their heads up and soon had points on the board through a Dom Farris penalty. Winger Simon Harrison who had looked dangerous every time he had possession then broke through the Somerton defence and scored beneath the posts, Farris added the conversion. An excellent move between forwards and backs then saw centre ‘Skippy’ Salisbury through for another try and with Somerton now desperately defending an ever-decreasing lead they conceded a penalty which was converted by Farris. With time running out Sarries were now camped in the Somerton half, and another good move between forwards and backs saw Harrison go over in the corner for his second try. Sarries were now in front for the first time and a further Farris penalty in the last minute of the game saw them complete a great fight back. Lock Steve Fielding and veteran scrum half Chris Kearns shared the ‘man of the match’. Captain Tudor Croft made a welcome return from injury. Rob L. |
| Castle Cary 12th November 2005 |
CASTLE CARY 24 BATH SARACENS 25 A front row injury followed by a yellow card to a Sarries prop set up a nail biting finish to this Somerset 2 fixture. Castle Cary went 12-O up against the run of play early in the first half. Sarries then closed the gap with a penalty and a converted try. A long range penalty from fly half Dom Farris then put them in front on the stroke of half time. Sarries went further in front in the second half with another converted try. But Cary responded almost immediately with a try of their own. With time running out Sarries looked to have made the game safe when young winger Will James raced over for a try in the corner. However, shortly after Sarries Prop Dan Lewis had to go off with a neck injury. Things then got worse as his replacement got sin binned with minutes left on the clock. Playing with 14 men and un-contested scrums Sarries conceded another try and Cary moved within one point of their opponents. With a great effort Sarries held on a picked up a valuable away win. Point’s scorers Bath Saracens: Tries: Dom Farris, Dan Nicholls, Will James. Penalties: Dom Farris 2 Conversions: Dom Farris 2 Man of the Match: Paul Morris Rob L. |
| Avonvale - 15th October 2005 |
Bath Saracens 53 Avonvale 20 Bath Saracens notched up a well deserved win in their first local derby of the season. Good work from their small but mobile pack secured plenty of possession for their pacey backs who ran in 8 tries. Fly half Dom Farris and Full back Dan Nicholls led the way with a hat trick a piece, and Ben Salisbury and Trevor Brooks added 2 more. Captain Tudor Croft kicked 5 conversions and a penalty. Rob L. |
| Weston Super Mare Wanderers - 8th October 2005 |
Weston Super Mare IV 0 Bath Saracens 45 Bath Saracens came away with a comprehensive 45-0 win at Weston Super Mare Wanderers. A solid performance from the pack, who dominated the set plays, provided plenty of good possession for their back line. Sarries try scorers were; Dom Farris (4), Dan Nicholls (2), and Will James. Tudor Croft added 5 conversions. Rob L. |
| Old Culverhaysians 2nds - 1st October 2005 |
Old Culverhaysians 2nds 15 Bath Saracens 47 Bath Saracens beat Old Culverhaysians second XV 47 – 15 at the glasshouse. Sarries try scorers were; Dom Farris (2), Tudor Croft (2), Andy Powell, Dan Nicholls, and 17 year old Will Oliver who was making his debut on the wing. Croft added 6 conversions. Rob L. |
| Start of season - 2005/2006
Text from the Bath Chronicle Rugby supplement 27th August 2005. See the photo here. |
BATH Saracens are hoping to bounce back from last season's poor performance by going back to basics. New club captain Tudor Croft feels fitness levels, experience and concentrating on the rugby basics is the way forward for Sarries after a disappointing fifth place in Somerset 2 last season. "It wasn't a good season for us last year. We weren't happy with where we finished and we definitely want to address that for the new season," said Croft. "Winning all our own home games is what we're aiming for. We want to finish at the top end of the table. Last season we let ourselves down too often by making silly mistakes and not doing the basics. "We've got a more experienced side now and we have been working very, very hard on our fitness levels. "Pete (Oliver, fitness coach) has been excellent and the whole team have been getting into training. We're all ready for the new season. "Martin (Ellis, last year's captain) did a great job for us even though he was inexperienced. I've been at the club for a while now and, for me, it's going to be case of trying to lead from the front." The return of Dominic Harris to the team after a year in Australia is a big bonus for Saracens. But while Harris flies back from Down Under, youngster John Catchpole heads in the opposite direction and Lee Garton retires from playing duties to assume a coaching role. Despite the changes, Croft claimed the side were looking strong ahead of the new season. "Our preparation has been first class," he said. "Everyone's put a lot of effort to get ready for the new season and they (the team) all seem very keen to get started. "There's a fantastic team spirit here. All the players are really looking forward to the new season and we're hoping to get a positive start and go on from there." |