1948-1949 ANECDOTES

ANNECDOTES 1948-1949

MANCOM 31/8/1948

Chairman referred to the ‘passing’ of Mr F J Cashnella, a Life Member of the Club, who had been one of the keenest workers for the game and Club for the past 50 years. His death was a very great loss to the game and to all clubs in the Bath District. The Bath Club was highly appreciative of all he had done and sincerely regretted his passing.

MEMBERSHIP – 229

4th September 1948 – proposals to cut down the Committee from 21 to 15. A further proposal was that in the event of a Committee member’s non-attendance at three successive meetings, without reasonable explanation, that person should cease to hold office. Club Membership stood at 229 and there would be a substantial recruitment drive.

MANCOM 11/10/1948

Agreed that Supporters plan to provide tea could be put into action.

Occasional school games to be allowed on Lambridge on Saturday mornings.

Treasurer reported that 400 members tickets had been taken up, while the accommodation limit on the West Stand stood at 290.

Skipper Allan Todd was concerned at Bath’s patchy performance:-

In a circular dated 28^th October 1948, he called upon all players to attend training at 6.45pm prompt, every Tuesday.

The Training activity was outlined as:-

1                    Post-mortem on the previous Saturday game,

2                    Plan for next game,

3                    Open discussion, and time permitting,

4                    Practice of what points can be practised in the circumstances.

An outside expert would attend some of the sessions.

Extract from final paragraph: “Naturally the attendance of players at this training will be taken into consideration when the sides are selected.”

News that Bath’s Gerald Jenkins would gain his Cambridge Blue against Oxford.

TWO OF THE LEWIS’S

Coincidentally, Alec Lewis of Bath was marking opposing centre Alec Lewis of London Welsh.

Our own Alec put in another fine performance, but this time he was closely marked by all and sundry. Nevertheless, his play prompted more praise from ‘THE CAPTAIN:’ “How difficult Lewis is to tackle. He seems to bullock through, brushing aside all opposition.”

Bath drew first blood with a try by Sutton after 22 minutes. Porter kicked a magnificent goal.

“Encouraged by this, Bath launched a series of thrilling attacks. Again and again they pressed. Forwards and backs joined in. They showed pace and pep, and the defence was hard put to keep them out.”

In the second half, the Welsh Exciles stepped up their play. Les Moores was forced to drop on the ball, but it was regained by C D Williams, who flopped over for an unconverted try. Bath pulled out all the stops, but Excile’s Harrison commenced a run from the half-way line, at last beating Moores. Williams raced back to cover, but his tackle was just too late to halt his dive for the line.

“Bath had victory snatched from their grasp. Hard lines!”

CROWD COUNSELLED

The Bath Chronicle 29^th January 1949 referred to a “rap on the knuckles” included in the previous Saturday’s Match Programme. There was a strong objection to the barracking of players, implying a contempt for the ability of the visiting side. The singling out of individual players was reprehensible, and any repetition might lead to the offenders being banned from the ground.

Bath’s 13 Points Against 13 County Men.

UNLUCKY NUMBER FOR GLOUCESTER

Gloucester had not won an away game since their triumph at Richmond back in October. Bath got off to an extraordinarily good start. The excitement commenced when a combined forwards and backs effort sent in Terry near the posts for Sullivan to convert. The applause had barely subsided when Bath repeated the performance. This time, Ryan got the touch down for Sullivan to add the extras.

“Some of the supporters who had come down to see a close game must have been rubbing their eyes.

They forget to cheer with any gusto until the 23^rd minute, when box-of -tricks Williams broke through from the half-way line to kick ahead and finally touch down for a really spectacular try.”

Dangerfield touched down for Gloucester in the second half. For Bath, it was a magnificent victory.

MANCOM 21/2/1949

It was decided to hold a Club Dinner, provided the expense was covered by the price of tickets. Also, there would be an outing to see ‘Rio Rita’.

PROGRAMME COMMENT: “Congratulations to Allan Todd and his team on a truly magnificent win under appalling conditions at the Memorial ground. I have rarely seen the Bath pack play better and to play at all in this game was a feat of endurance. Some of the players bootlaces had to be cut after the game and their hands and legs well rubbed to restore circulation! Still, it was a famous victory and with Eddie Simpkins, the players and Committee, I would say to all those Bath Supporters who

MANCOM 31/8/1948

Chairman referred to the ‘passing’ of Mr F J Cashnella, a Life Member of the Club, who had been one of the keenest workers for the game and Club for the past 50 years. His death was a very great loss to the game and to all clubs in the Bath District. The Bath Club was highly appreciative of all he had done and sincerely regretted his passing.

MEMBERSHIP – 229

4th September 1948 – proposals to cut down the Committee from 21 to 15. A further proposal was that in the event of a Committee member’s non-attendance at three successive meetings, without reasonable explanation, that person should cease to hold office. Club Membership stood at 229 and there would be a substantial recruitment drive.

MANCOM 11/10/1948

Agreed that Supporters plan to provide tea could be put into action.

Occasional school games to be allowed on Lambridge on Saturday mornings.

Treasurer reported that 400 members tickets had been taken up, while the accommodation limit on the West Stand stood at 290.

Skipper Allan Todd was concerned at Bath’s patchy performance:-

In a circular dated 28^th October 1948, he called upon all players to attend training at 6.45pm prompt, every Tuesday.

The Training activity was outlined as:-

1                    Post-mortem on the previous Saturday game,

2                    Plan for next game,

3                    Open discussion, and time permitting,

4                    Practice of what points can be practised in the circumstances.

An outside expert would attend some of the sessions.

Extract from final paragraph: “Naturally the attendance of players at this training will be taken into consideration when the sides are selected.”

News that Bath’s Gerald Jenkins would gain his Cambridge Blue against Oxford.

TWO OF THE LEWIS’S

Coincidentally, Alec Lewis of Bath was marking opposing centre Alec Lewis of London Welsh.

Our own Alec put in another fine performance, but this time he was closely marked by all and sundry. Nevertheless, his play prompted more praise from ‘THE CAPTAIN:’ “How difficult Lewis is to tackle. He seems to bullock through, brushing aside all opposition.”

Bath drew first blood with a try by Sutton after 22 minutes. Porter kicked a magnificent goal.

“Encouraged by this, Bath launched a series of thrilling attacks. Again and again they pressed. Forwards and backs joined in. They showed pace and pep, and the defence was hard put to keep them out.”

In the second half, the Welsh Exciles stepped up their play. Les Moores was forced to drop on the ball, but it was regained by C D Williams, who flopped over for an unconverted try. Bath pulled out all the stops, but Excile’s Harrison commenced a run from the half-way line, at last beating Moores. Williams raced back to cover, but his tackle was just too late to halt his dive for the line.

“Bath had victory snatched from their grasp. Hard lines!”

CROWD COUNSELLED

The Bath Chronicle 29^th January 1949 referred to a “rap on the knuckles” included in the previous Saturday’s Match Programme. There was a strong objection to the barracking of players, implying a contempt for the ability of the visiting side. The singling out of individual players was reprehensible, and any repetition might lead to the offenders being banned from the ground.

Bath’s 13 Points Against 13 County Men.

UNLUCKY NUMBER FOR GLOUCESTER

Gloucester had not won an away game since their triumph at Richmond back in October. Bath got off to an extraordinarily good start. The excitement commenced when a combined forwards and backs effort sent in Terry near the posts for Sullivan to convert. The applause had barely subsided when Bath repeated the performance. This time, Ryan got the touch down for Sullivan to add the extras.

“Some of the supporters who had come down to see a close game must have been rubbing their eyes.

They forget to cheer with any gusto until the 23^rd minute, when box-of -tricks Williams broke through from the half-way line to kick ahead and finally touch down for a really spectacular try.”

Dangerfield touched down for Gloucester in the second half. For Bath, it was a magnificent victory.

MANCOM 21/2/1949

It was decided to hold a Club Dinner, provided the expense was covered by the price of tickets. Also, there would be an outing to see ‘Rio Rita’.

PROGRAMME COMMENT: “Congratulations to Allan Todd and his team on a truly magnificent win under appalling conditions at the Memorial ground. I have rarely seen the Bath pack play better and to play at all in this game was a feat of endurance. Some of the players bootlaces had to be cut after the game and their hands and legs well rubbed to restore circulation! Still, it was a famous victory and with Eddie Simpkins, the players and Committee, I would say to all those Bath Supporters who came to Bristol and made themselves heard, ‘Thanks for Coming!”

Our own Alec put in another fine performance, but this time he was closely marked by all and sundry. Nevertheless, his play prompted more praise from ‘THE CAPTAIN:’ “How difficult Lewis is to tackle. He seems to bullock through, brushing aside all opposition.”

Bath drew first blood with a try by Sutton after 22 minutes. Porter kicked a magnificent goal.

“Encouraged by this, Bath launched a series of thrilling attacks. Again and again they pressed. Forwards and backs joined in. They showed pace and pep, and the defence was hard put to keep them out.”

In the second half, the Welsh Exciles stepped up their play. Les Moores was forced to drop on the ball, but it was regained by C D Williams, who flopped over for an unconverted try. Bath pulled out all the stops, but Excile’s Harrison commenced a run from the half-way line, at last beating Moores. Williams raced back to cover, but his tackle was just too late to halt his dive for the line.

“Bath had victory snatched from their grasp. Hard lines!”

CROWD COUNSELLED

The Bath Chronicle 29^th January 1949 referred to a “rap on the knuckles” included in the previous Saturday’s Match Programme. There was a strong objection to the barracking of players, implying a contempt for the ability of the visiting side. The singling out of individual players was reprehensible, and any repetition might lead to the offenders being banned from the ground.

Bath’s 13 Points Against 13 County Men.

UNLUCKY NUMBER FOR GLOUCESTER

Gloucester had not won an away game since their triumph at Richmond back in October. Bath got off to an extraordinarily good start. The excitement commenced when a combined forwards and backs effort sent in Terry near the posts for Sullivan to convert. The applause had barely subsided when Bath repeated the performance. This time, Ryan got the touch down for Sullivan to add the extras.

“Some of the supporters who had come down to see a close game must have been rubbing their eyes.

They forget to cheer with any gusto until the 23^rd minute, when box-of -tricks Williams broke through from the half-way line to kick ahead and finally touch down for a really spectacular try.”

Dangerfield touched down for Gloucester in the second half. For Bath, it was a magnificent victory.

MANCOM 21/2/1949

It was decided to hold a Club Dinner, provided the expense was covered by the price of tickets. Also, there would be an outing to see ‘Rio Rita’.

PROGRAMME COMMENT: “Congratulations to Allan Todd and his team on a truly magnificent win under appalling conditions at the Memorial ground. I have rarely seen the Bath pack play better and to play at all in this game was a feat of endurance. Some of the players bootlaces had to be cut after the game and their hands and legs well rubbed to restore circulation! Still, it was a famous victory and with Eddie Simpkins, the players and Committee, I would say to all those Bath Supporters who came to Bristol and made themselves heard, ‘Thanks for Coming!”