Weekend Preview 8th-9th Aug 2015

Weekend Preview
Bath based teams
8th-9th August 2015

The new football season is upon us already, it always seems like a very quick summer. We hope to bring you a weekend preview and round up every week from now until the end of the season. It won’t just feature the beautiful game though we’ll be looking at other events on at the weekend for all sports fans.

Saturday 8th

Football

Bath City kick of their season against Wealdstone at home in a 3pm ko. This will see the return of the Wealdstone Raider to Twerton Park.

Not sure we agree with the last bit as Bath have looked good in pre-season with the squad performing well in their outings. The Plymouth game saw great resolve and character from this new look City side as they battled back from being three goals down to draw 3-3.

However Adie Britton, Bath’s Director of football, spoke to the Bath Chronicle and warned that the league will be a much bigger test for his side. Former Bristol City/Rovers keeper Steve Phillips has joined the squad following the release of Jason Mellor this summer. He is joined in the back line by Kevin Nicholson to give the defence some much needed football league experience.

Jon Davies and Bradley Williams have joined the City midfield from Paulton and Cardiff respectively. Williams may have to wait for his debut game once his international clearance has come through. Young academy prospects Louis Perry and Jake Sloggett have signed on for the season with Britton hinting that they will be in the match day squad for the opening few games.

Player/coach Jim Rollo has officially signed on as a player again. Jim is approaching 500 outfield games for the club having made his debt in the 1996/97 season (on loan from Cardiff). Striker Andy Watkins has also recently signed on after successfully overcoming surgery in the summer.

There could also be a return for tough tackling defender Matt Coupe. The 36 year old is set to sign on a month to month contract to help out the club with injuries. One player that won’t be playing on Saturday is the suspended Chris Allen.

Prices for this season (standing) are £12 adults £6 concessions and just £1 for under 16s.

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City’s near neighbours Larkhall Athletic kick off their Southern League South & West season at home against Didcot Town, 3pm ko. Larkhall will be hoping that not many of their games this season clash with Bath to help boost their gate.

Bath fans will have lots of reasons to come on down to Plain Ham this season to see some of their former players. New signings Josh Jeffries, Josh Egan and Will Hailston have all played for Bath. Jeffries made the most appearances with 35 outings; contributing 5 goals.

There has been a lot of change at Plain Ham this summer after a highly successful debut season at Southern League level last year. Larkhall narrowly lost their play off game 3-2 away at Stratford Town and four of their squad having moved on to play at a higher level.

However manager Wayne Thorne is optimistic about the challenges to come, commenting: “I feel the depth within the squad is stronger than last season. We have a good blend of experience and youth this season and with so many new faces it’s important we give them time to bed in and understand the way we do things at Larkhall”.

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Our Western League clubs have local derbies to start their seasons.

Odd Down have also got a home game to start their Western League Premier campaign as they entertain Bitton. Keynsham Town are the only BANES team who are away this Saturday as they travel the short distance to Oldlands Abbotonians in Western League Div One.

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Rugby

The Rugby season hasn’t started yet but there is a Bath Rugby family fun day this Saturday. The Rec will be open from 9.30am with activities for free throughout the day.

Bath Rugby Family Festival of Rugby Schedule of Events:

9.30 – Ground opens – Canterbury Roadshow, Tractor Ted and pre-booked skills clinics start
10.00 – Tag Rugby and Touch Rugby games start on outfield (repeated on the hour)
10.30 – Behind-the-scenes changing room tours start
10.30 – Nutrition Q&A*
11.45 – Strength and Conditioning Q&A*
13.00 – Academy Q&A*
14.15 – Mike Ford Q&A*
15.30 – Event closes

*Please note, timings are subject to change on all Q&As.

This event starts the rugby club’s 150 year anniversary celebrations for the 2015/16 season, make sure you don’t miss it!

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Rugby League side Bath & Wiltshire Romans play their final league game of the 2015 season as they take on Bristol Sonics at home. They have already clinched the title but a positive result on Saturday will see them go unbeaten for the entire season. This is also their debt season after forming at the start of the year, so a remarkable achievement for all involved!

Make sure you get your rugby fix this weekend down at Leafy Lane Corsham, ko 2.30pm.

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Running

The Bath Skyline Park Run takes place every Saturday at 9am.

This is a free event but you must register online to get your time, they meet at ‘Free Fields’, North Road/Claverton Down Road, Bath. This is a great group to get involved with for general fitness and socialising.

See their website for more information

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Motor Sport

Castle Combe are hosting a Summer Race Meeting this Saturday.

It involves the 5th Round of the Castle Combe Championships and the 2nd round of the Sports Racing Series. Enjoy an MG themed day with the MG Trophy and Metro Cup on display, as well as the MGCC BCV8s and Thoroghbread Sportscars on show.

Admission is £15 adults and £10 seniors. Get in touch if you’re going with your photos and thoughts on the day!

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Sunday 9th

Futsal

Bath Futsal Club have the first of their pre-season games this weekend as they make the trip over the bridge this Sunday. They are competing in a round robin tournament with Cardiff Futsal and Gloucester. Billy Whittaker will be looking to see how his squad perform with their 5 summer signings looking to fit in with the rest of the squad.

Two of last year’s squad have officially signed on over the past few days. Diego Ojanguren and fellow Spaniard Carlos Guzman have committed for the 2015/16 with many more of last year’s squad to sign on in the coming weeks.

If you want to get involved with the club then find the club on Twitter – Facebook or be contacting Billy Whittaker – 07506648176 or bathfutsalclub@gmail.com

Training is every Thursday evening at Hayesfield Girls School, 6-7pm.

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Football

Fans of Bath City will get to play on Twerton Park this Sunday. ‘Roman for the Day’ is a fans game between Bath fans to raise money for the Big Bath City Bid. Both teams will be wearing a Bath City kit and have the full match day experience.

Make sure you register your interest on their Facebook event as spaces are limited, you must 14 or over to play. It’s free for spectators and a bar will be open during and after the game, ko 1pm.

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The Design World Cup is also taking place this Sunday at Monkon Combe School starting at 10.30am. This a football world cup format for Bath’s creative businesses to enter. Registration is now closed but it promises to be a fun day for all the family with plenty of things to do.

Grillstock will also be there serving up some great food and drink throughout the day so come on down and enjoy this friendly tournament. Holland won it last year but could the cup belong to Germany (Big Bath City Bid team) this year? Only one way to find out, come on down and enjoy it!

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Carboot Sales

Many clubs make money through extra activities on their grounds. Keynsham Rugby Club and Castle Combe both host carboot sales at their clubs every Sunday; Castel Combe ask for a 50p donation to charity from buyers.

So come on down and grab yourself a bargain, there is likely to lots of old sports memorabilia on display.

That concludes this Weekend Preview, whatever you decide to do this weekend make sure you support your local teams.

Let us know if you are planning on going to any of these events or if you’d like to do a write up on them. #keepactive

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