Vast improvement by Bath in SEMLA league mini tournament
SEMLA League Div 3
3rd October 2026
Final Scores
Bath 3:4 Richmond
Richmond 3:1 Raptors 2’s
Bath 6:0 Raptors 2’s
Bath hosted the first triangular league fixture in SEMLA Div 3 at Odd Down, due to the 3-hour slot required the games had to be moved onto the grass pitches, luckily this early in the season they are in pretty good shape.
The last-minute loss of Long Pole Andrew Manser meant a call up for Nik Roberts into the D. Not something regular Bath watchers would normally expect to see.
This allowed Luke Wilmot to move up into attack, which gives the squad a much more controlled formation up front.
The Order of the games meant Bath Played Richmond first and Raptors 2 last, with an de facto 45-minute gap between games.
The first game against Richmond was a close affair. Bath had plenty of possession, and, with a little more conviction when shooting could have been well ahead, instead Richmond crept ahead 2:0 after 15 minutes. A late goal just before half time by Alex George kept the home side in contention.
The second half was similar, Bath Dominating the face with Sam Kettle having a fine game but not converting the resulting possession. A shot from Mark Hoggan hit the keeper full in the chest and seemed to spin up and over his shoulder drawing the score to two each. Bath continued to move the ball well, creating chances but not converting, Richmond took the lead with a great outside cannon, but Bath pulled level again through a placed Hoggan shot.
Sadly, from the home team’s perspective, a hard rocket from outside gave Richmond the win right at the end of the game.
Half scores
1st Half – Bath 1:2 Richmond
George
2nd Half – Bath 2:2 Richmond
Hoggan, Hoggan
Final Score
Bath 3:4 Richmond
The middle game between Richmond and the Raptors was much more end to end, and Richmond’s better finishing gave them a 3:1 win, rounding off a good day for the boys in Blue
Bath v Raptors was probably the best Bath have played in years, winning the face, controlling the ball and scoring goals that were well constructed.
All the damage was done in the first half with Bath taking a 5:0 lead through Beddoe, Lovett and Wilmot. It seems the 15-minute training session between games had paid dividends.
The second half was a lot closer, as Sam Kettle took an awkward fall, twisting his back, this allowed the possession from face to even out, that said, the Bath Midfield were more than industrious, covering a lot of distance and creating sensible opportunities in attack, however all the work only created one goal in the half, and Raptors were kept to a clean sheet by some outstanding goal tending by Will Tilson
This represents a huge turning point for Bath, getting a squad on the pitch that looks capable, works for each other is a foundation that can be built on. If the considerable number of unavailable players start to turn out, who knows…
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Half scores
1st Half – Bath 5:0 Raptors 2’s
Beddoe, Lovett, Lovett, Beddoe, Wilmot
2nd Half – Bath 1:0 Raptors 2’s
Lovett
Final Score
Bath 6:0 Raptors 2’s
Referees
Neil Anthony
Kate Clewer
Scorers (Assists)
Alex George 1 (1)
Mark Hoggan 2
Jonluca Piva (1)
Joe Beddoe 2 (3)
Mark Lovett 3
Luke Wilmot 1 (1)
Awards
MVP – Chris Brown
Star Players – Alex George, Will Tilson, Joe Beddoe, Mark Hoggan