South West Womens League Tournament 2
Bath get best ever ranking.
Final Placing – 4th
The Women’s team that went to Westonbirt for the second tournament of the season looked and probably was, one of the strongest teams put out by the club
Over the last couple of years the club has begun to attract more Women that have played Lacrosse before; this with the established combination of Juniors and Universities plus new links with St Mary’s Calne and Westonbirt Schools makes a healthy pool of players for the club.
If the predicted influx of Freshers from Bath University is as good as past years, Bath might be looking at entering a seconds team into some tournament. Having so many players is a new, yet exciting problem to have.
The format for the tournaments from now on is based on pools in the morning, which seed the clubs for pools in the afternoon.
Bath’s opposition for the morning pools consisted of a mixture of skill levels, and in the past Bath would have looked at possibly winning one game. How times change.
Bath took on the new girls at CSM (Falmouth University) in the first game, and dominated all over the field. Particularly at Draw with Tora Joicey and various wings, The pick of a good bunch being Caroline Brenchley (St Mary’s) who controlled the ball well. Goals came regularly and the 6:0 win was thoroughly deserved, the highest score inn a tournament by a Bath team.
The next game looked, on paper to be far tougher, a mixed team from Bristol University and Hatch End Hawks. Some good saves from Captain Irene Moynihan ensured another clean sheet. At the other end the attack looked in control, making good cuts, and drives from behind the goal.
The final morning game saw Bath take on Southampton, a regular top three team, and the jump I class caught the girls in red by surprise, Southampton took an early lead and made Bath do all the work, capitalising on some rushed play. The final score of 6:2 to Southampton flattered the South coast team a little, and Bath could look at the game and feel unlucky not to have been closer.
Two wins and a loss in the morning pool meant Bath were placed in the top pool on merit for the afternoon games.
Lunch at tournaments is a break that, although welcome, tends to take the wind out of players sails, plus full of food the first games afterwards are always difficult.
First game against Cheltenham, Bath couldn’t get out of the blocks, the Cheltenham side took control early and didn’t allow Bath a look in, scoring well, and coming out winners 5:1. One that Bath would probably rather forget.
Game 2 saw a rematch of the morning game against Southampton, Bath were a little fired up for this one and took the game to the opposition, some great clearing passes by Moynihan, good link up play by Victoria Westwood and Carolyn Keber made sure Bath were in command. When Southampton got into attack Iona Westwood led the defence by example, giving away very little space with some aggressive, solid defending. Bath reversed the morning score and came out deserved winners 5:3.
Next up, Bristol Bombers, the current league champions, and probably the class act in the South West again. Bath went for it, took the lead early on, but the more cohesive team play by bombers, and controlled lacrosse eventually bore fruit for Bristol, Bath lost the game 6:2, but came off the field feeling they had given the bombers a game.
The last game put Bath against Birmingham, and this was to be an end to end game of Lacrosse. The game finished 4:4, although Bath could have stolen a victory, but for a great save off Keber by the Birmingham keeper off the last play of the game.
With a win and a draw from the top pool, Bath placed 4th overall, a great result from a great day of Lacrosse. This puts Bath 5th in the league after two tournaments Link to league table – CLICK
Game Scores
Morning Pool
Bath 6:0 CSM
Bath 5:0 Bristol Uni/Hatch End
Bath 2:6 Southampton
Afternoon Pool
Bath 1:5 Cheltenham
Bath 5:3 Southampton
Bath 2:6 Bristol Bombers
Bath 4:4 Birmingham
Bath Referees
Sarah Bibby
Victoria Westwood