1st October 2005

Mens SEMLA Premiership

Hampstead v Bath

Location: London

Face Off: 14.00

Final Score

Hampstead 23:13 Bath

Bath travelled to Hampstead, last years Southern Champions (Flags and League) with a reasonable squad albeit with a couple of key players missing. A new experience for the team was the playing surface, which was synthetic, good for picking up, but hard on the knees; there were also no Lacrosse markings, except for a scratched out crease around the goals, and whoever did those had a hangover at the very least, because circles they were not. SEMLA didn't allocate a referee, a problem the South has never really got to grips with, so Hampstead stood a man down each quarter, and to be fair they did a reasonable job.

Hampstead started at a gallop, although the better chances fell to Bath, ably dealt with by the new Hampstead Keeper. Before too long the home side had racked up a 4 goal lead. Evntually the visitors broke through with a good burst from midfield by Ken Murray and a quick snap from Roberts, this seemed to settle the nerves and Bath who soon added another from a Griffiths feed. Despite being two down the game was very even and Bath came out all guns blazing to pull level with two quick goals, one being a good solo effort by new signing Mark Jeffrey, ex Bath University.

But despite Baths Best efforts, the home team always seemed to have another gear, and they quickly re-established their lead, and although Bath kept plugging away, the gap steadily widened throughout the game.

Highlights of the game from Baths point of view was a multiple pass, very patient clear finishing with an assist from Jim Cowan for a goal and a fine goal with a long stick from Sam White, blasting the ball into the ground making it bounce into the top corner of the goal.

Goal of the match though has to got to the Hampstead player who took the ball in the air on the crease, and shot the ball between his legs, and the legs of Nige Gates in the Bath goal.

All in all the game was played in good spirit, with some fine Lacrosse from both sides, if Bath perform like that against the other teams in the Premiership, then things will be OK at the end of the season.

Quote of the day:

"Please don't miss, please don't miss, shit I'd better not miss" Mark Lovett approaching a completely empty goal.

"Use Roberts as a screen, it's a big one" Ken Murray discussing tactics with new boy Travis.

"Would you like my two balls? they don't bounce any more" Ken Murray making an offer.

Quarter Scores:

1st quarter Hampstead 4:2 Bath

2nd quarter Hampstead 5:3 Bath

3rd quarter Hampstead 6:4 Bath

4th quarter Hampstead 8:4 Bath

Final Score

Hampstead 23:13 Bath

Scorers:

Nik Roberts 6 (1)

Mark Pinnick 2 (1)

Mark Jeffreys 1 (2)

Sam White 1

Mark Lovett 1

Ken Murray 1 (2)

Phil Thomas 1

Matt Wellings (3)

Jim Cowan (1)

Simon Griffiths (1)

Travis Tayler (1)