1927-1928 ANECDOTES

ANECDOTES 1927-1928

CHRONICLE 27/8/1927

Over 30 players had turned up for training in anticipation of the Weston-s-Mare  game. Training had been in the nature of ‘physical exercises’ supervised by Jack Cutting, and included running, sprinting, and rope jumping. One session was on Somerset Boys’ Home Field, where they were allowed ball practice.

New player prospects included C F Fortune, a scrum half from Corsham and A Martin, a back who had played for Welsh Schoolboys.

Bath Season Ticket Prices:-

Gentlemen’s Reserved Stand 30/-

Gentlemen’s Ordinary Stand  20/-

Gentlemen’s Enclosure           10/6

Ladies’ Reserved Stand          22/6

Ladies’ Ordinary Stand          11/-

Ladies’ or Child’s Enclosure  4/3

Ring Seats an extra                 5/6

JUNIOR CLUBS START – UP

Avonvale Trial at Bathford.

Bathampton R F C trial at Bathampton.

Old Edwardians practice match at new ground at Odd Down.

St. Stephen’s and Walcot O.B.’s Trials on Kensington Meadows.

There was news that Bathwick was disbanding, and it was: “distinctly vexing” if St. Saviour’s Old Boys have to close down for want of a ground.”

MANCOM 26/8/27

Proposition to film the Plymouth game.

Application from Bath City Military Band accepted.

Selection Committee:- Messrs. Wills, Cashnella, Davis, Bascombe and Gray.

Local Products

“I see a Bristol contemporary claims young Gough as a Bristolian. This is not correct. He was born in Bath, attended Oldfield Council Infant School and Boys School, and then went to Colston School, Bristol. In summer he is a very well known figure on the North Parade Ground and has been a member of Bath C.C. for several seasons. He is a very promising medium fast bowler.

As a matter of fact all four of Bath’s threequarters against Plymouth were products of local Rugby. Hannah had several seasons with Bath ‘A’ after leaving Kingswood School and before taking up an appointment at Taunton. Hancock, of course, is Bath born and bred. At School he played soccer for Weymouth House and once played in a schoolboys’ International Trial, South v North at Reading. Starting with the Extras – I’ll go as far as to say Cashnella found him – he soon jumped into the first – he showed us how he can jump last week. Then Leslie Baden is surely from the Bath junior sides. I believe he has played for Bathwick, Bathampton and the Bath Harlequins.”

(Chronicle)

A Trip by Road.

“The trip to Portsmouth by the Bath Club will not be quickly forgotten. It was a beautiful day, not a spot of rain falling. The experiment of going by road will almost certainly be repeated. It was a delightful run down and did not take as long as by rail.”

“I J Pitman returned to captain the side, also W J Gibbs, which was excellent news. Bath travelled by

CHARABANC leaving Grand Parade at 9am to return at 7pm. The journey was approx. 4 hours each way! Unfortunately Hannah and Hancock could not play as unable to get away from business.”

Mr. Piper’s Alarm.

“Mr. J.T.Piper was at the station to meet the team in, and wondered whatever had happened when they did not arrive.”

And afterwards..

“The game was over at 4.50. Tea was taken in the Pavilion and before 6 o’clock the party was aboard a car for the South Parade Pier, Southsea, with Joe Nudds and J T Piper as official guides. A walk along the front to the Clarence, and a car ride back to Pompey, and then it was time, 7p.m., to start for home.

Portsmouth was left at 7.15 and supper- badly needed – was partaken at Salisbury – the only stopping place. The party was in Bath in time for Tomlinson to catch the mail for Bristol.”

BATH CHRONICLE 17/9/1927

Noted that the first three places in Bath Cricket Club’s batting averages were occupied by Bath rugger men, Northway, Considine and Chaddock

BATH BEAT THE O.A.’s AND THE FLOOD.

Although played in fine weather, the River Avon was still in full flood from recent storms; for a time it was feared that the fixture would be threatened. The flood water was visibly rising along the far corner of the ground. It was all the more important that the game was started with minimum delay. The Londoners had arrived at Bath Spa station at 3pm, having changed in the train, and a fleet of taxis got them to the Rec. by 3.10. Once under way, the ball was soon wet and difficult to hold.

It was the first fixture v O.A.’s, who soon showed they were: “typical of Old Boys teams who play delightful open rugby a joy to watch.” Bath showed some reluctance to tackle and there were many bad passes and handling mistakes.

Bath try scorers:- Gibbs, Powell, Pitman, Gibbs and Hancock.  Burgess kicked two early penalty gaols.

BATH CHRONICLE AND HERALD 8/10/1927

A DEADLY DUEL!

“Mr. Arnold Ridley, of Bath, the brilliant young playwright, who has made stage history with his “Ghost Train,” has another railway mystery play, “The Wrecker,” being produced at the Theatre Royal, Brighton, on October 24^th, where “The Ghost Train” first saw the light. Trains there are in plenty in the play. The story, I am able to announce, is concerned with the mysterious wrecking of trains in different parts of England which are thought to be caused by the agency of an unknown person nicknamed by the Press and public “Jack the Wrecker.” The play consists of a deadly and prolonged duel waged by this mysterious man and an English International Rugby captain

That evening the Bath party of 25 went to the ‘New Theatre’ to see “The Wrecker” – Arnold Ridley had reserved the front row of the upper circle. (The Best Seats in the House!)  After the show the party went backstage and Cashnella amused all and sundry by manipulating the signal leavers which feature in the play.

24/3/1928 v Bristol, Home Lost 0 –32: D James, C E Gough, W Hancock, J Dingley, R Banks, A Tomlinson, L St V Powell, H B L Wake, N Matthews, E Dunscombe, S Weeks, P R Skinner, W H Stapley, J Tanner and G Piles (Avonvale).      Attendance 7000. (2000 estimated from Bristol)

“The Club Treasurer was particularly delighted with the appearance of the new stand. There was not a vacant seat of the 1200 there.”

Len Corbett led his side on to the field as the band played ‘Auld Lang Syne.’ His side continued ‘on song’ throughout this one sided encounter, scoring 4g. 1p. 3t. with no Bath reply. Both sides were badly hit with injuries. Bath were without Pitman, Basden, Spence, Hannah, Sheppard, Goold, Collett, Milsom and Burgess. Bath were overwhelmed with a succession of Bristol tries.

D James in particular, and Gough, Hancock, Matthews and Wake, distinguished themselves in defensive play.

AFTER BATH’S DEFEAT

SYMPATHISING BENCH

The truth of the saying ‘ a fellow feeling makes a wondrous kind,’ received exemplification this morning in Bath City Police Court this morning, when the Bench had before them a Bath man who ascribed his offence to disappointment with the result of the Bath v Bristol match on Saturday, when Bath were beaten by 32 points to nil.

The man in the dock was, a milkman and newspaper seller charged  for being drunk and disorderly in Walcot Street on Saturday evening.

The constable admitted, in reply to a question, that the prisoner went very quietly to the Police Station, and caused no trouble.

When asked what he had to say, he remarked: ‘I went to the Bath and Bristol Rugby match, and they put 32 points on them, and I was very sad about it (laughter). Then I went back on my round, and did my customers, as many as I could. I had a few newspapers left, and I went and had just a couple of glasses of beer, and was making for home’ (laughter)

The Chairman (Sir Harry Hatt): “We sympathise with you to some extent. It was a very disappointing match (laughter). I know something about you and you know a very little has a bad effect on you, and you ought to try and give it up all together for your own advantage. You have not been in trouble for some little time, and under the circumstances you will be fined 2s 6d.”

The charged: “Thank you, sir.”

On the Bench there were Sir Harry Hatt, Major J M T Reilly, Mr. P Browning and C Cowley.

BATH HERALD 12/5/1928

CRICKETERS.

The previous Saturday’s Bath Cricket XI included S G U Considine, R S Chaddock, E G Northway and L St. V Powell. C (Charlie) E Gough frequently figured. It was percipiently forecast that cricketer, and Old Sulian, Bertie Buse would soon figure in the Bath 1^st XV. W (Bill) Hancock was a useful fast bowler, determined to make his mark on the cricket field.

L St. V Powell was selected for County Cricket, and along with Considine, he was the second sportsman to represent Somerset County at both games.

MANCOM 4/6/1928

F J Cashnella reported meeting to form Junior Clubs Association had been held at Combe Down and Widcombe.

Club caps presented to Messrs Gough, Tanner, Dingley, Stapley, Powell and Spence.

Question of re-affiliation to Somerset County