Smethurst on fire
March 24th2012
Bournemouth University v Bath 2nds
West Division 2
Final Score
Bournemouth 2:10 Bath
Bath 2’s came into this game on the back of two consecutive away defeats, which has put the promotion chances in the balance, this rearranged game against an improving Bournemouth University side was now vital for promotion chances.
Bath started well, winning the face, and moving the ball around with purpose, however silly mistakes and the fact that Bournemouth hunted every ground ball in packs of three meant that the visiting defence had its work cut out.
An individual goal by Hector Smethurst, who had probably his most outstanding game of the season, put Bath into the lead, but it wasn’t long before the home side equalised through a well worked goal after a period of prolonged possession.
The game settled into the pattern of Bournemouth possession amounting to a knock down by the Bath defence, a fast break, a silly pass and the ball back into the Bath half, great defence and quick goals from Pat Peacock, Joe Brickell and Nik Roberts meant Bath went into the half time break looking comfortable on paper, although on the field this wasn’t the case, the defence was working very hard.
The next 30 minutes became the Smethurst show, 4 goals and several running clears from defence, helped put the visiting side in command. In fact the Bath midfield all played well, showing good control and effective aggression, Ben Jessup playing short stick might have found his calling, Joe Trevorrow (who should have scored), Yugo Jacques and Paul Sladen all playing a significant part, not to forget Alex Aiton and Ed Perry rotating LSM.
Once the Bournemouth defence switched to marking Smethurst it just left the door open to the dump to the attack, allowing Roberts to add two more goals before the final whistle.
This was a good performance by Bath 2, if results go their way, the W2 title might still be in reach.
Quote of the day:
“That noise coming from your goalkeeper, is it moose or bullfrog?” Bournemouth D man.
Quarter Scores
1stquarter Bournemouth 1:1 Bath
2ndquarter Bournemouth 0:3 Bath
3rdquarter Bournemouth 1:2 Bath
4thquarter Bournemouth 0:4 Bath
Final Score Bournemouth 2:10 Bath
Scorers
Hector Smethurst 5 (1)
Paddy Peacock 1 (1)
Joe Brickell 1 (1)
Nik Roberts 3 (1)
Luke Wilmot (1)
Ben Jessup (1)
Referee
James Kellam (Panel)
