Bath Weekly Sporting Round-Up

It was a strong showing from both Bath City FC and Bath Rugby this weekend. If you missed either game then don't worry, as we have a round-up of all the weekend's action.

Bath Rugby began their Premiership Rugby Cup campaign with a trip to the home of the Cornish Pirates, hoping to get points on the board. While Bath City hoped to continue their charge up the National League South, an away trip to Welling United stood in the way of keeping the Romans from climbing the table.

Bath Rugby start strong

Bath kicked off their 2023/24 campaign with a victory over the Cornish Pirates. The 29-23 win sees Bath sitting on five points already, four more than acquired in the entire tournament last year. 

Skipper Ewan Richards would take command of his local team for the first time and would have the perfect start when he scored the first points on the board. George Worboys would get a try, three conversions and a penalty to his name in a dominant display from the 22-year-old. The remaining tries would come from John Stewart and Sam Harris making it four tries and an extra point for Bath.

There would also be special moments for Will Muir who came back into the side following a year out, and a debut handed to 20-year-old Mikey Summerfield, who joined Bath in the summer. 

The Cornish Pirates would manage to get three tries on the board but Bath managed to hold the Pirates to just three. A conversion and two penalties would bring the Pirates close to a comeback; especially when the final Cornish try would come with just two minutes remaining and get the home crowd riled up in hopes of a comeback. 

Bath's next challenge is hosting the Jersey Reds in the next round of the Premiership Rugby Cup.

Bath City go top of the table

Bath continued their impressive run of form and the charge up the table with a 1-0 win away to Welling United. A blistering heat did not stop Bath City from taking the three points in a game that could have gone either way. 

The only goal of the game came just 20 minutes in. Jordan Thomas gave the Romans the lead when his shot from a tight angle was fired into the roof of the goal. The game was not a classic, but two penalty shouts denied left Bath feeling aggrieved. The hosts did have their share of chances, but every attack would come to nothing thanks to a solid Bath defence. 

The first half did end with some controversy, Bath manager Jerry Gill would be sent off after a dispute with the official about an earlier booking. The second half saw Welling continue to create chance after chance, but the Bath defence would hold strong. 

Bath did not create much but won their well-deserved three points through a strong defensive display. The result sees Bath move to the top of the National League South, one point clear of Worthing and Torquay. 

The Romans's next game is the FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round, where Bath travel to Larkhall Athletic who play in the Southern League Division 1 South.

Summary

There we have it, all the action from the top teams in Bath! Bath Rugby has gotten off to a brilliant start in the Premiership Rugby Cup and hopes to carry the fine form into their next game against the Jersey Reds. 

Bath City hope to go into the 3rd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup before hosting Dover Athletic in the league for Bath City’s community day. For more information on the Community Day click here.