Bath host first round of the Flags
22nd March 2025
Bath v Cardiff Harlequins v Exeter
Odd Down Bath
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Photos by Becca Piva
The new format for the Flags Knockout competition for the South of England Men’s Lacrosse Association (SEMLA) is designed to help with the congested fixture list. A series of triangular mini tournaments held on the same day across the country.
Bath hosted Cardiff Harlequins and Exeter University in the Minor Flags at Odd Down, Bath.
Each game was two 20-minute halves, and the overall winners progress to the next (knockout) round.
Exeter University came into this competition on the back of a very successful University BUCS season, where they were ranked No3 at the recent BUCS tournament.
Cardiff Harlequins are contenders for the Cotswolds Local SEMAL league fielding some very experienced players. Bath, whose season has been frustrating, were looking to compete well.
In the first game, Bath held a fast-paced Exeter side to very few chances, and but for better finishing might have stolen the game. Only 1:0 to the students at half time, Bath felt they were in with a fighting chance, but speed is a big advantage, which in the end came to Exeter’s advantage, with the students coming out winners 3:1.
In the second game Exeter turned on the afterburners and moved the ball very quickly, leaving a defiant, but outplayed Cardiff in their wake winning comfortably 8:1. One fault with the triangular system is that the team that stays on the pitch for a second game has the advantage of being warmed up and “in the groove”. Cardiff essentially started cold compared to the students.
The big gap between games (a 50-minute half time) for Bath reinforced this inequality in the system, and Cardiff, now warmed up, took the game to Bath, putting several goals past the hosts before the boys in red had come out of the blocks, despite a late rally Bath came out losing the game 10:3
The format is a pleasant start to the Flags, and despite the difficult format, particularly for the host team that must play 1st and 3rd most players felt it was a positive move, and, in the future, these mini tournaments might become a bigger event.
Congratulations to Exeter who progress to the next round
Final Scores
Bath 1:3 Exeter
Cardiff 1:8 Exeter
Bath 3:10 Cardiff
Referees
Ben Lipinski (Panel)
Emma
Corky (Cardiff)
Charlie (Exter)
CBO
Neil Anthony
Final Table
Team Played Won Lost For Agst Pts
Exeter University 2 2 0 11 2 6
Cardiff Harlequins 2 1 1 11 11 3
Bath 2 0 2 4 13 0