1901 ANECDOTES

1901 ANECDOTES

A Bath supporter, walking down Lydney’s principle street had remarked: “Fancy a little place like this having a team that can beat Bath.” It was observed that, herein was a small club’s strength; they were all regularly together, talking rugby and training together. They were not individually brilliant, but took infinite pains to get into condition, were willing to learn, and could always last the pace. Undefeated to date, their forwards were strongly drilled and packed down in tight formation. By contrast, Bath lacked system of any kind, and perhaps they could now benefit from this small town’s example.

CHRONICLE COMMENT on THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD and WRETCHED WEATHER.
“Gratitude for small mercies is a virtue that the Bath football executive has had disciplined into them by the experience of vexatious disappointments in a long series of seasons, so instead of bemoaning the fact that Bristol gate was reduced to a shadow by the rush on the part of Jupiter Pluvius to atone for shortcomings earlier in the year, they are thankful it was possible to play the three fixtures set down in Christmas week.
For at the outset of that week it seemed as if a football would not be kicked. Both players and officials were anticipating home comforts by the fireside instead of facing the rigours of wintry weather on the Recreation Grounds. Then in a moment the whole aspect was changed, and the tap was turned on so decisively that flood instead of frost seemed imminent on Boxing Day. But the Cowbridge game was duly played on a ground in excellent condition, and visions of big gates for Friday and Saturday arose.
But the iron hand of Jack Frost was stretched forth in the night, and it seemed doubtful whether the Gloucester contest would be possible. It was just though the Cits. did not relish turning out on the crisp turf, wet as it was on top. After the Gloucester reverse-which was fully expected-there was an informal committee meeting to discuss the wisdom of taking measures to protect the field from frost in view of the Bristol match on the morrow, for it was freezing like grim death, but happily no steps were taken, for when the day dawned the wind was sou’ west, rain pelting down, and it never left off until Sunday morning was far advanced.
So the Bristol match was played. Fortunately for the Bath club, this fixture was the ‘extra’ at which admission receipts were to be shared by both clubs, or with the gate reduced to the absurdly small total taken on Saturday, financial trouble would have stared the Bath F.C. in the face. The Bristol match proper in Bath is on Easter Eve, and as at the end of March, decent climatic conditions are likely to be experienced, the outlook is not so disagreeable as it might have been.”

CHRONICLE COMMENT: “As far as Bath F.C. is concerned, the record is not gratifying, but the causes for this have been fully dealt with, so there is no reason to recapitulate excuses and explanations.”
“Injuries and illness have had a lamentably weakening effect on the Bath side. Cashnella’s sad breakdown at Clifton. Ruddick’s smash-up in the Neath contest, and Taylor’s absence from two or three games owing to a cut head, undoubtedly had a prej1901 ANECDOTES

A Bath supporter, walking down Lydney’s principle street had remarked: “Fancy a little place like this having a team that can beat Bath.” It was observed that, herein was a small club’s strength; they were all regularly together, talking rugby and training together. They were not individually brilliant, but took infinite pains to get into condition, were willing to learn, and could always last the pace. Undefeated to date, their forwards were strongly drilled and packed down in tight formation. By contrast, Bath lacked system of any kind, and perhaps they could now benefit from this small town’s example.

CHRONICLE COMMENT on THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD and WRETCHED WEATHER.
“Gratitude for small mercies is a virtue that the Bath football executive has had disciplined into them by the experience of vexatious disappointments in a long series of seasons, so instead of bemoaning the fact that Bristol gate was reduced to a shadow by the rush on the part of Jupiter Pluvius to atone for shortcomings earlier in the year, they are thankful it was possible to play the three fixtures set down in Christmas week.
For at the outset of that week it seemed as if a football would not be kicked. Both players and officials were anticipating home comforts by the fireside instead of facing the rigours of wintry weather on the Recreation Grounds. Then in a moment the whole aspect was changed, and the tap was turned on so decisively that flood instead of frost seemed imminent on Boxing Day. But the Cowbridge game was duly played on a ground in excellent condition, and visions of big gates for Friday and Saturday arose.
But the iron hand of Jack Frost was stretched forth in the night, and it seemed doubtful whether the Gloucester contest would be possible. It was just though the Cits. did not relish turning out on the crisp turf, wet as it was on top. After the Gloucester reverse-which was fully expected-there was an informal committee meeting to discuss the wisdom of taking measures to protect the field from frost in view of the Bristol match on the morrow, for it was freezing like grim death, but happily no steps were taken, for when the day dawned the wind was sou’ west, rain pelting down, and it never left off until Sunday morning was far advanced.
So the Bristol match was played. Fortunately for the Bath club, this fixture was the ‘extra’ at which admission receipts were to be shared by both clubs, or with the gate reduced to the absurdly small total taken on Saturday, financial trouble would have stared the Bath F.C. in the face. The Bristol match proper in Bath is on Easter Eve, and as at the end of March, decent climatic conditions are likely to be experienced, the outlook is not so disagreeable as it might have been.”

CHRONICLE COMMENT: “As far as Bath F.C. is concerned, the record is not gratifying, but the causes for this have been fully dealt with, so there is no reason to recapitulate excuses and explanations.”
“Injuries and illness have had a lamentably weakening effect on the Bath side. Cashnella’s sad breakdown at Clifton. Ruddick’s smash-up in the Neath contest, and Taylor’s absence from two or three games owing to a cut head, undoubtedly had a prejudicial effect, especially the retirement of Cashnella when there were still so many hard games to be faced. The illness of Bartlett when so many important fixtures were brought off; the departure from Bath of J T Timmins, and the temporary defection of Crisp also made the season more difficult. Owing to

these circumstances combination was impossible, and all things considered it is surprising that things turned out as well as they did.”

udicial effect, especially the retirement of Cashnella when there were still so many hard games to be faced. The illness of Bartlett when so many important fixtures were brought off; the departure from Bath of J T Timmins, and the temporary defection of Crisp also made the season more difficult. Owing to

these circumstances combination was impossible, and all things considered it is surprising that things turned out as well as they did.”