Buccaneers in derby win

Team Bath Buccaneers claimed bragging rights over local rivals University of Bristol with a 4-3 win in the Conference West of the Women’s Vitality Hockey League.

It was a first win since the opening day of the season which moves Buccs up to sixth having had two wins, two draws and two defeats in their opening six fixtures.

As for the men, Buccs are now third in the Men’s Hockey League Division One South after an impressive 3-1 win over Brighton & Hove, securing a third consecutive victory.

In the men’s West Area Leagues, Buccs 2nd managed six at Taunton Vale in the Premier Division to move level with their hosts after the 6-2 victory, only behind by three goals.

City of Bath’s win, lose, win campaign continued in Division One North as a single goal was enough to see off Cheltenham 2nd. Buccs 3rd were 5-2 winners at home to Bristol & West as they made it four wins in a row after their opening day reverse and sit third in a group of four teams all on 12 points.

Buccs 4th were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Wotton-under-edge A in Division Two East, while their 9-0 thrashings for both City of Bath 2nd and Buccs 5th away to Cirencester and Royal Wootton Bassett respectively. City of Bath remain without at the bottom, with Buccs 5th just ahead on three points but two less than their Fourth Team.

In Concorde Division One, Buccs 6th were 4-1 winners at Clifton Robinsons 5th but that was bettered by Keynsham’s 5-1 victory at home to Bristol & West 4th. City of Bath 4th suffered a 5-1 loss at home to Bristol Firebrands 5th as they continue to search for their first point of the campaign. Keynsham are joint-top after remaining unbeaten, but ten goals behind Clifton Robinsons 4th, with Buccs 6th a point behind in third.

Keynsham 2nd drew 2-2 at Old Bristolians 6th in Concorde Division Two, picking up their fourth point in three games as they sit sixth. In Saxon Division One, Corsham enjoyed a 6-1 at home to Devizes 2nd, while Buccs 7th were 4-1 winners Cirencester 3rd and City of Bath 3rd drew 2-2 at Swindon 2nd.

Corsham are currently third on 12 points with Buccs five points further back. City of Bath are off the foot of the table following their first point of the campaign. Buccs 8th were without a game in Saxon Division Two.

As for the women’s leagues, Buccs 2nd edged out hosts Gwent 2-1 in the Premier Division to make it five wins from five and already have a five point lead at the top. The derby in Division Two East saw Buccs 3rd beat Corsham 4-2 to make it five wins from four, a point of leaders Marlborough, with Corsham five points further back.

Keynsham enjoyed a 5-0 thrashing of hosts Wick in Berkeley Division One to also make it five wins from five, but they sit second having a 12-goal deficit on leaders University of Bristol 3rd. The Third Team were beaten 4-1 at home to Old Bristolians 5th in Berkeley Division Three to remain on seven points.

The local derby in Whitehorse Division One was a disappointing goalless draw between Buccs 4th and City of Bath. Corsham 2nd won 4-2 at home to West Wilts, while the other derby saw Keynsham 2nd edge out City of Bath 1-0. Corsham are second with four wins from five, two points ahead of Buccs 4th and City of Bath. Keynsham were recording their second win of the campaign, while bottom side City of Bath 2nd are still without a point.

There was another derby in Whitehorse Division Two, and this one had goals.

Buccs 6th emerged victorious, edging out a five-goal thriller over Corsham 3rd. But that was well and truly outshone by Buccs 5th who put 14 without reply past hosts Marlborough 2nd for their fourth win from five. In contrast, it was Bucs 6th’s first win of the season, with Corsham now just a point and a place ahead of them.