18th March 2023
Having edged out the reverse fixture earlier this year, Bath weren’t underestimating a strong challenge from Buckhurst Hill. Bath were boosted by several university players in their ranks thanks to the ending of the BUCS season.
Despite, Buckhurst Hill being strong at face-off, Bath quickly won the ball back and dominated the opening exchanges. Despite some good play and chances, both the opening goals were a bit scrappy. First, Luke Wilmot emerged from a ground-ball melle to feed Alex Bird to score the opener. Minutes later, a similar win from Wilmot gave himself the chance to score.
1st Quarter: 2-0 (Goals: Bird, Wilmot; Assists: Wilmot, u/a)
Bath stepped it up a notch in the second quarter. Despite Buckhurst Hill’s continued dominance at face-off the energy of Bath was too much. The extra midfield string that Bath have been missing all season paying off here. Alex George and Ollie Viant both finished on crease after feeds from Mike Carey. Carey then added one of his own. Wilmot and Roberts each added goals before Carey scored Bath’s sixth of a dominant quarter.
2nd Quarter: 8-0 (G: George, Viant, Carey, Wilmot, Roberts, Carey; A: Carey, Carey, Bird, O’Mahoney, Griffiths, u/a)
After a late sending-off in the first half, Bath started the third quarter a man down. Bucks took quick advantage of this and scored in the very first play of the half. Apart from that, it was more of the same from Bath though. Wilmot and Viant added goals as Bath dominated.
3rd Quarter: 10-1 (G: Wilmot, Viant; A: O’Mahoney, Bird)
The final quarter was an open game with Buckhurst Hill leaving everything out on the pitch. After a tireless stint at face-off, Alex Taylor made it a hat-trick of Alexes to score. The other two Alexes added goals either side of one from Jack O’Mahoney. Bird then finished off the scoring with a strong outside shot.
4th Quarter: 15-3 (G: Taylor, Bird, O’Mahoney, George, Bird; A: Viant, Carey, Taylor, Roberts, Viant)
This was easily the most dominant Bath have played this season. The extra support of players from the university gave Bath athleticism and rotation. Bath now go into next week’s game with Oxford City, knowing that a win (thanks to the boost this win does to the goal average) will secure the top spot in the Divison 2B for this season.