Bath’s opponents were Wessex Stallions a newly formed team who were formed from the last two years champions Southampton and another local side, Brockenhurst. The Southampton players had been unbeaten in three years and now that they had joined forces with Brockenhurst looked a big and powerful team, but were lacking in numbers. Wessex boasted several Great Britain players and the majority of their players had league experience. Of the 25 players that Bath fielded, 16 were rookies with the other 9 players having only managed to play a hand full of games each. This meant that this was always going to be a tricky opener for the rookie team of Bath.

On an overcast but dry day, Bath’s defense dug in against the tough running game of Wessex but forced a turnover which defensive linebacker John Gibbon returned for a 51 yard score five minutes into the game. Steve Leonard then kicked the extra points to give the Cardinals an eight-point lead.

The Stallions then came back to drive the ball on Bath and scored a running touchdown but were not able to get the further 2-points making it an 8 points to 6 lead for the Cardinals.

In the second quarter following a good kick return from Matt Towl, Bath’s QB Mike Cotrell got his offence rolling. This resulted in Mike Cotrell running the ball in from 43 yards for Bath’s second score. Bath defense continued to play well and Matt Towl, in his first league game, managed to return a stripped ball for a touchdown to make it 20 - 6. The second quarter was coming to the end when Bath’s Chris Taylor managed to elude his corner and caught a 24-yard touchdown with only 35 seconds to go. Bath again failed to score the extra points but nevertheless finished the half 26 – 6 and seemly in control.

The third quarter saw the Wessex players pick up the pace and they scored two quick touchdowns to close the scores to 26 -18. The offensive coaching duo of Bob Turner and John Evans had installed a passing game that matches their powerful running game. Unfortunately for Bath their running game had deserted them so they went to the air. Bath’s Steve Leonard then caught what seems is his regulation touchdown reception to score on a 39 yard pass. At this stage Bath looked home and dry as they entered the final quarter with the wind in their favour and 32 – 18 to the good.

Wessex then demonstrated why their players were champions by shocking Bath by scoring two further touchdowns to make the score a very uncomfortable 32 – 30 in Bath’s favour. With less than two minutes to go Bath’s offence failed to drive the ball and were forced to punt. Wessex managed to move the ball but with time running out were forced to go to the air for the first time in the game. Bath’s safety Matt Towl again intercepted Wessex QB and returned the ball 49 yards to record a debut 101 return yards and a 2-touchdown performance. Matt’s score had eased Bath’s worries and those of an anxious crowd who were now well engrossed in this cracker of a game. With only 40 seconds remaining Wessex QB managed to hook up with his wide receiver for their first reception of the game but this proved to be the last play of the game as time expired. The large crowd who gave them a standing ovation appreciated Bath’s win in an 11-touchdown thriller. The final score line of 38 – 30 was a fair result in a friendly and well refereed game.

Bath’s QB Mike Cotrell led his troops from the front by passing for well over 100 yards and running in one touchdown. Offensive backs Stuart Miller, Ryan Surry and Kris Beacham all gave Mike Cotrell great protection to allow him to complete 11 of 22 passes. Mike Cotrell also rushed for 63 yards to cap a good all round performance. The star of last week’s fine performance against the London Olympians, Ryan Surry failed to make the score sheet and ended the game with a back injury. Ryan is expected to be fit for next week game as is club captain and last years leading scorer Tom Evans. The offensive line of Lance Turner, Mitch Turner and Karl Adams were in top form, aided by strong performances from Tight Ends, Dave Harvey and Jon Howard. With new players waiting in the wings Bath offence can only get better from here.

Bath were also boosted by their new cheerleading team ‘The Cardetts.’ The Cardetts gave a professional performance, which was appreciated by the team and the crowd.

Bath’s new defensive coaches Eddie Bell and Ben Mallia had tried to keep the Stallions offence at bay with some enterprising and inspiring coaching. The defense finally saw one of their new finds, John Gibbon play his first game and have high hopes that John will become a team leader and a G B player. Another of Bath new finds Steve Onditi, a young lad from Kenya, showed that he is also one to watch leading the team in tackling by recording 18 solo tackles. The defense show that this is a team game by recording no less than 11 team tackles.

Bath most experienced player Matt Mallia was showing his experience and had made 7 solo tackles in the first quarter. Unfortunately Matt aggravated an old shoulder injury and was unable to take a major role throughout the day. As for Wessex offensive backs they proved to be to strong for Bath’s defense and ran the ball almost at will. Bath’s team sprit and never say die attitude kept them in the game and with experience will learn to address this imbalance.

Baths next game is against the fine side of Harrogate Hawks. The Hawks have already played Bath as part of their pre-season warm up. Although Bath tried hard they were well beaten 32-6. That game was Bath’s first competitive game and since then Bath has recruited several players, mainly from Chippenham rugby club, to boost the squad. Bath’s coaching staff expects this game to be a lot closer.

Head Coach, Bob Turner said, "we have now set a standard that maybe a surprise to other league teams, but not to us. One win does not win you a championship, but I am expecting further improvement. No team will now look at Bath and think that they have the points in the bag."

The Dolphins eased their way to their first victory of the season against a battling Tiger outfit. They breezed into a first quarter lead when quarterback Shaun Mitchell connected with Chris Scriven from 15 yards out. The two point conversion being unsuccessful.

A five-yard burst by Mark Larnach pushed the Dolphins twelve points clear before Brian Mackain intercepted and returned the ball fifty yards to pay dirt. A David Kerr kick padded the Dolphin's lead by a further two points to leave them twenty points ahead. Some spirited Tigers defense finally got their reward when Christopher Linton downed Mitchell in the end zone to record the Tigers' first points of the season and leave the Glasgow side trailing 20 - 2 at the half.

A 15-yard reverse saw Martin Goodenough find the end zone with Kerr once again booting the extra two points as the Dolphins moved further clear in the third.

Mark Larnach finished the afternoon's work for Moray Firth when he blazed 46 yards to seal a convincing victory.

History dictates that there is little between these northern rivals and so it proved once again.

Moving the ball behind the powerful running of Matt Lord the Wolverines opened the scoring when Lord went in from the one. The same player promptly repeating the effort for the extra two points. Ford Wilding grabbed a Hennessy pass to reduce the arrears to 8 - 6 by the end of the first period.

Wolverines' quarterback David Mead connected with Mark Shepherd to edge them further into the lead with Adam Broomhead sweeping the ball in to claim the extra two. Now trailing 16 - 6 the Hammerheads sprung into life. Rick Hennessy spurted into the end zone on two successive drives with one of the extra point attempts being good. The Hennessy to Wilding combination once again proved a winner as the half came to a close, with the visitors holding a useful 16 - 26 lead.

For much of the third quarter it was virtual stalemate until Lancashire suddenly clicked into gear. David Mead hit Michael Keane from 11 yards and the same combination added the extra two, leaving the home side trailing by just two points. On the Colts next drive Mead skipped his way in from nine yards out with Lord barreling his way to the two extra points, putting the advantage back in favour of the Wolverines with a 32 - 26 lead.

In the fourth the Colts looked home and dry as Lord broke his way through two tackles to notch up another score. Once again Hennessy bought the Hammerheads back into the frame when he scampered in for a score and then notched the extra two points himself. It proved to be the last score of a an entertaining and dramatic game with the Wolverines edging it 38 - 34.

The Rams posted their intentions to return to the championship game with this emphatic victory in their season opener. Two early Donaldson runs, the first being converted by Wallace, pushed the Rams into a 14-point lead. An O'Rourke pass to Graham with Donaldson gaining the extra two, saw the North Lanarkshire side gallop into a handsome 22 - 0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Sharks defense stiffened during the second period as they battled bravely against the Rams. A McTague run, converted by McCoy, being the only score of the quarter and leaving the Rams almost home and dry by the end of the half.

O'Rourke connected with Wallace for three further score in the third, with the latter also gaining a two-point conversion to leave the Sharks floundering. Wallace rounded his day's work off with a scoring run, while McTague duly added the extra points in a stunning offensive display.