Cheltenham Cougars v Bath
4th October 2025
Cotswolds Div 1
Final Score Cheltenham Cougars 14:2 Bath
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First quarter looked promising
Captain Mike Carey was a mixture of pleased – Bath had a travelling team, and saddened – only 11 players available. Injuries are taking its toll on Bath, yet more players dropped out, some with long term issues.
Age was again a problem for the travellers, willing minds but unwilling bodies meant that a small squad of 11 was always going to be vulnerable as the game wore on.
Bath were competitive for most of the game, but Cheltenham, with a bigger, better drilled squad started to dominate the game, so although Bath went into the first break all tied at 2:2 it soon became evident that the home side were going to dominate in most departments.
Bath battled on, and did have opportunities to score, only to be thwarted by the Cheltenham keeper. But in basic ball movement, quickness of thought, planned formations, Cheltenham were the better side and took full advantage.
Compared with the week before, Bath improved across the whole team, did actually move the ball reasonably well in possession, long periods of defence meant the long poles (OB Tanasen, Chris Brown and Tommy Kasakowski) had to put in a shift, all playing well, backed up by another spell of great keeping by Will Tillson in between the pipes, particular mention for Tommy Kosakowski, the pick of the bunch.
Bath have much to work on, and need some younger legs, particularly at midfield. But for effort, willingness and dogged determination to get out on the pitch, Bath are winners all the way.
Quarter Scores
1st quarter Cheltenham 2:2 Bath
Roberts, Carey
2nd quarter Cheltenham 4:0 Bath
3rd quarter Cheltenham 3:0 Bath
4th quarter Cheltenham 5:0 Bath
Final Score Cheltenham 14:2 Bath
Scorers (assists)
Nik Roberts 1
Mike Carey 1
Mark Lovett (1)
Referees
Cheltenham
Rhys Topping (Cheltenham)
James Cole (Cheltenham)