Bath Saracens 21 Combe Down 35
Unfortunately, the outcome went against us. With tries by Simon Harrison, Owen Swabey and skipper Tony Lai - all converted by Si Porter - we still ended up losing!
Bath Saracens 25 Calne 8
Sarries made several half time changes and the visitors took the opportunity to get on the score board with a penalty and an unconverted try. Sarries then settled down and a second try from Nichols, converted by fly half Robbie Mazzeo saw them increase their lead. Mazzeo addded a penalty before the end of the match to complete the scoring.
Bath Saracens 53 Wootton Bassett 5
Sarries ran in 7 tries, with hatricks from centre Dan Nicholls and fly half Robbie Mazzeo. 5 conversions and 2 penalties saw Mazzeo finish with a personal haul of 31 points. A further try from winger Paul Blankley and a conversion from skipper Tony Lai completed the scoring. Veteran lock Steve Hiscox shone in the line out while Jack Biss was outstanding in the back row.
Cooper Avon 36 Bath Saracens 12
Watching our lot play, however, I couldn't believe it. There was great team-coordination - good defence and spirited support in attack. Robbie Lawrence was acting captain because of Tony's injuries.
This positivity continued after the break, and we scored our first try after a long kick from our 22 was put down by Jon Bradley, and another from James Hope, which was converted by Dan McNally. These scores were countered by two unconverted tries from the opposition resulting in the 36-12 loss - but as far as I was concerned we won 12-10!
Bath Saracens 5 Old Morganians 9
Bath Saracens were please to welcome John Mitchell of R.J. Mitchell and Son to watch the Morganian’s game.
R J Mitchell and Son are a heating and plumbing company based in Bath with over 40 years experience and may be contacted on 01225 424089.
John Mitchell is pictured presenting a very welcome cheque to club captain Tony Lai.
Unfortunately, John did not witness a win and we look forward to seeing him at a game or in the clubhouse in the future.
Bath Saracens 24 Pewsey Vale 10
Pewsey then went further in front with a penalty, before Tim Badcock pounced on a loose ball to bring Sarries level. Simon Porter added the conversion and Sarries turned around at half time with a 12-10 lead.
In the second half the Sarries spent long periods in the Pewsey half and were rewarded with 2 further tries from Nicholls and Captain Tony Lai. Porter completed the scoring with his 2nd conversion.
Malmsbury 15 Bath Saracens 44
With Malmesbury withdrawing from the league the two clubs agreed to keep the fixture and play it as a friendly.
With conditions perfect and the hosts fielding a contingency of Fijian players, both sides elected to throw the ball around and the outcome was an excellent game of rugby.
Sarries return to league action on Saturday with a home fixture against Pewsey Vale.
Bath Saracens 24 Martock 20
Sarries got their season off to a winning start in Sunday's Somerset Cup tie. The match took place at nearby Oldfield Rugby club as the Sulis ground was not yet ready for the new season.
Captain Tony Lai was particularly pleased with the performance as with their usual early season unavailabilies, he had to play players out of position. The side also featured several debutants and players returning from long term injuries. After a shaky start the home side settled down but not before Martock had taken the lead with an early try. Up against a larger pack the Sarries forwards competed well, and as the game progressed half backs John Catchpole and Simon Porter were able to provide their back line with an increasing amount of quality possession.
Fly Half Porter opened the Sarries scoring with an excellent try which he duly converted. Debutant centre Mark Gunning added a second try which saw Sarries turn round at half time with a 12-10 lead. The second half saw Sarries double their points tally with a second try for Porter and another great solo effort from winger Tim Ayres. Porter added a further conversion. With time running out they looked comfortably in control with a 24-15 lead. A loss of concentration allowed Martock back into the game with a late try, but Sarries deservedly took their place in the draw for the next round.
After the match Sarries maximised the hospitality kindly provided by their hosts at Oldfield Rugby club. The conjuvealities then moved to the Royal Oak in Widcombe where after a brief stop off at the Devonshire Arms messrs Pyles, Lawrence and Cope rejoined the Biss household and a number of other Saracens, keen to take full advantage of the spontaneous social event. The party was completed by the arrival of Hinchcliffe and Hiscox who staggered in arm in arm after a lengthy stop off on route at the Widcombe Ram.
With time called at the bar and the evening rapidly drawing to a close, the prospect of a long walk home was causing consternation amongst some of the older participants. Cometh the hour cometh the man, (or in in this case the woman). Following heartfelt pleas to Copey to call his sister and request a taxi service, the aformentioned dutifully called home. Within minutes transportation arrived, driven by his mother!
The end of a great day and hopefully the start of another great season. This can only be achieved however if all players and club members get behind Tony Lai and Rob Garton to ensure that events both on and off the pitch are equally well supported.
Rob L.