Bath University v Bath
20th September 2025
Venue – University Medical pitches
Final Score: Bath University 9:11 Bath LC
Friendly game goes into overtime
Pre-season games are always subjective, teams are just getting their act together, new players to come in and some adjustments need to be made.
The University side has taken a big hit this year, losing several established players through graduation, and as this was a pre fresher fayre game there were few new players to pick from – certainly this will be a different story come the John Harrop Cup in October. On top of the selection issue, rumour had it that many had been “out on the Town” the night before (at one time a required selection policy for the City side)
The City on the other hand are suffering from fewer younger players coming to Bath for work, and several long-term injuries to key players. The squad welcomed back Ken Murray from retirement at face and fielded an attack with a total age of well over 150 years – lots of experience, not so much movement.
The game was competitive and played in good spirit, both teams looking rusty, If the University team had handled a lot of final passes better early in the game, the day would certainly have been a tougher prospect for the City Club.
The City Club also took this opportunity to develop and practice a 6-man zone defence. One of the areas where, in the past the team has suffered, has been the transition between 5-man Zone and Man on Man. Particularly coming from a player returning from the Sin Bin. At times captain Mike Carey was tempted to revert to Man on Man to capitalise on the teams’ comfortable strengths, but, as the game developed the defensive units began to move well, and it got harder for the University to break through, better slides, better cover and communication being the key.
In the first quarter the University started with a bang, scoring two unanswered goals in as many minutes. And but for some missed catches, the students could have been another couple of goals to the good. City knuckled down and began to control the rhythm and speed of the game, making better choices, late in the quarter goals from Lovett and Roberts levelling the score.
The next couple of periods saw both teams squander good chances through a combination of bad shooting and good goalkeeping, however the visiting City side edged ahead winning both quarters by a single goal.
Having a two-goal lead into the fourth quarter seemed to relax City and energised the students, who scored very quickly at the start of the period, giving a distinct momentum edge. The city side were lucky to finish the official game time level, Will Tilson in goal yet again having a good session between the pipes.
After some discussion, it was decided to go into Overtime to find a winner, two periods of 4 minutes followed by golden goals if the sides remained level.
Bath City made a plan; use the slope on the pitch and drive the long pole backwards, screen the shot and go for it. Joel Matthews duly obliged, scoring two unanswered goals from the exact same move. City then closed the door, maintained possession and kept the ball away from the students
Overall, a very usefull game of lacrosse for both teams, hopefully, aside from the John Harrop cup, the two clubs will work together to grow more lacrosse players for the City of Bath.
Final Score Bath University 9:11 Bath LC
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Quarter scores
1st quarter University 2:2 City
Lovett, Roberts
2nd quarter University 2:3 City (4:5)
Lovett, Matthews Griffiths
3rd quarter University 2:3 City (6:8)
Lovett, Matthews, Matthews
4th quarter University 3:1 City (9:9)
Lovett
1st period OT University 0:2 City (9:11)
Matthews, Matthews
2nd Period OT University 0:0 City (9:11)
Final score:
Bath University 9:11 Bath
Scorers: Goals (assists)
Mark Lovett 4 (1)
Nik Roberts 1
Joel Matthews 5 (2)
Simon Griffiths 1
Lee Herbert (1)
Mike Carey (1)
Referee
Kate Clewer (Bath University)
