By Neil Goulding (English Lacrosse Press Officer, 07813 859986)

BROOKLANDS Hulmeians, who play in the Men's North of England League, have won the Bath Eights, the annual tournament which acts as a curtain-raiser to the new domestic lacrosse season.

The Premier Division club beat Cheadle, the 1992 champions, 3-1 in this year's final at the Recreation Ground on Saturday. 

Hulmeians beat Stockport, also former winners, 5-2 in the semi-finals, having also beaten South of England League opponents Hampstead 6-1 in the quarters.

It was the first time that Hulmeians had ever won the competition since it's inauguration in 1986, their victory over Cheadle deservedly saw them claim the David Carey Cup.

All teams faced six tough group matches, with the top 8 finishes progressing to the quarter-final stages.

Mellor topped the group with 99 points, with Hulmeians just one point behind having not lost a game. Heaton Mersey finished third, with Cheadle, Wilmslow, Stockport, Hampstead - the only southern side in the quarters - and Sheffield also progressing.

Mellor beat Sheffield 4-1 to progress to the semis, with wins also for Hulmeians, Cheadle and Stockport, the latter who edged local rivals Heaton Mersey 3-2 after overtime.

The semis saw Hulmeians overpower Stockport 5-2, with Cheadle slender 1-0 winners against Mellor.

And so to the final where Hulmeians maintain their 100 per cent record to beat Cheadle and win their first piece of silverware of the season.

"Yet again the tournament ran extremely well despite the threat of bad weather," reflected Nik Roberts, one of the Bath Eights tournament organisers.

"I think the standard of lacrosse was even higher this season than it has in years gone by, there were some very good matches."

Due to bad weather Sunday's popular Mixed Tournament was unfortunately cancelled.

Roberts added: "Sadly we had to cancel Sunday's tournament because the pitches had cut up a lot because of the heavy rain. Hopefully the weather will be better for us next season."

Results
Bath Eights Tournament (Recreation Ground) - Final: Brooklands Hulmeians 3 Cheadle 1. Semis: Mellor 0 Cheadle 1, Brooklands Hulmeians 5 Stockport 2. Quarters: Mellor 4 Sheffield 1, Cheadle 3 Wilmslow 1, Brooklands Hulmeians 6 Hampstead 1, Heaton Mersey 2 Stockport 3 (after overtime).

Final group standings (top 8 after all six group games): 1. Mellor 99pts, 2. Brooklands Hulmeians 98pts, 3. Heaton Mersey 95pts, 4. Cheadle 93pts, 5. Wilmslow 87pts, 6, Stockport 83pts, 7. Hampstead 79pts, 8. Sheffield 76pts.

Teams entered this year (total 33): Bath City, Bramhall, Croydon, Rochdale Cowboys, Rochdale Indians, Walcountian Blues A and B, Hillcroft, Sheffield University Alumni, Norbury, Stockport, Cheadle, Nottingham, Reading Wildcats, Manchester Waconians, Heaton Mersey, Bath University, Wilmslow, Swansea Hawks, York, Timperley, Welwyn Warriors, Bath Exiles, Hitchin, Mellor, Oldham and Werneth, Brooklands Hulmeians, Newcastle, Cardiff Harlequins, Sheffield University, Hampstead, Loughborough University and Cheltenham Cougars.

Bath 8's Roll of honour:
1986 Low Profilers (Sheffield)
1987 Stockport LC
1988 Low Profilers (Sheffield)
1989 Heaton Mersey LC
1990 Low Profilers (Sheffield)
1991 Low Profilers (Sheffield)
1992 Cheadle LC
1993 UNKNOWN*
1994 Kenton LC
1995 Timperley LC
1996 Heaton Mersey LC
1997 Heaton Mersey LC
1998 Timperley LC
1999 Timperley LC
2000 Wilmslow LC
2001 Wilmslow LC
2002 Timperley LC
2003 Wilmslow LC
2004 Mellor LC
2005 Mellor LC
2006 Sheffield Steelers LC
2007 Styal
2008 Brooklands Hulmeians LC

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