AGM 14/6/1949

New Rules: The Captain will be elected by the regular players of the previous season.

      Captains of the United and ‘A’s shall be elected by the Management Committee.

Captaincy

These proposals gave rise to considerable debate before approval. An additional proposal was amended to read: “That the ultimate responsibility for the selection and training of the first fifteen shall rest with the captain of the club.”

Several members expressed concern that the committee would have no jurisdiction over the composition of the 1^st XV or their playing policy.  Mr Harry Slade said it would put the captain in a position whereby he could alter the playing structure of the club without reference to the management committee, who were the people with their roots in the club.

Dr. Todd said that he had no directions during the past season, as the committee was selecting the side. He added: “ At the present moment I think it is just a ‘hotch pot’ of ideas, and I think it would be better if the team went on the field with one idea how to play the game. We must pick teams with that defined policy-how they are going to play. There would still be a selection committee, and therefore if the captain did not wish to accept the responsibility, he could leave it to the committee as at present.”

Additionally, there was resistance to the 1^st XV Captain playing any part in the lower team selections, when he did not see any of their games.

Immediately following the Hylton Cleaver game, there was a somewhat ad hoc selection meeting for the Devonport Services match. There were hotly stated differences, which were to lead to a ‘fall out’ between Players and Committee. Feelings ran high, when following a poorly attended players’ meeting, skipper Allan Todd’s resignation was confirmed. The situation had apparently been simmering for a few years, and Players contemplated a ‘stand’ against the Committee.  They came perilously close to refusing to play. However, their resolution faltered, following a direct appeal from the Club President Amor. Inevitably, it was a demoralised side for the following weeks.

More At AGM

Three former Committee men failed to gain re-election – J Bevan-Jones (Vice Chairman for the previous season, W E (Bill) Hancock, and N H Coates (Former Captain 1911-1913). The following were elected: Messrs B C Barber, C R Bailey, A L Cutler, H Crane, G B Jones, J Tolman, D Wilson, Mrs. R A Gerrard; new members: Messrs H G Slade, J Arnold, W Barrow and G Foster.

President Captain Amor reported that the Parks Department application for timber to restore huts on the Norwood Playing Fields had been turned down by the Board of Trade. The Committee were powerless to do anything about the position and players would have to change “behind walls”. “He complained that they were not allowed enough money to pay for labour to keep the playing fields in a proper condition-or make them in a proper condition-for either football or cricket.”

MANCOM 11/7/1949

Selection Committee to be comprised of 5 elected members along with the Captains of the three XV’s.

The elected members were Messrs. Arnold, Barber, Burrough, Davies and Simpkins.

Mr Mathews of the Chronicle to be invited to attend Committee.

MANCOM 16/8/1949

Agreed, that players in all three teams purchase their own stockings.

Trial match 25^th August.

CAPTAIN CONFIRMS RESIGNATION.

Letter received from Dr. Alan Todd resigning his Captaincy and playing membership of the Club.

Following this, it was the Committee’s wish that Alec Lewis take up the captaincy, but Alec asked for time to consider the matter, and later declined.

It was agreed that a statement of the facts relating to Dr. Todd’s resignation be placed before the R.F.U. through Somerset County channels.

This was an uneasy time in Committee and player relationships. The players had asked for a deputation which met up with Committee. Following a letter from Mr Sutton, a committee response was posted in the dressing room stating that the resolution re the voting powers of the Captains of the United and A teams on selection committee had been rescinded, that no members of the selection committee are ex-officio members, and that any player who could not abide by the rules of the club as constituted was at liberty to tender his resignation which would be accepted by the committee.

Throughout all this unpleasantness, Honorary Chairman B C Barbour, handled affairs with fairness and dignity.

MANCOM 10/10/1949

Len Harter elected as Club Captain and was to lead his side out against Bristol.

Ex Bristol player, Paddy Sullivan was appointed as Vice Captain.

15/10/1949 v Bristol, Away. Lost 11-13. P Sullivan, J Hopkins, K O’Shaughnessy, S Addenbrooke, W Donnelly, K Wilcox, M Hanna, J Roberts, J Francis, T Smith, L Harter, A Burcombe, T Lewis, J Dingle, A Lewis.

A Radio commentary was provided by Mr. Ergo Jones for BBC “Sport in the West”. The Memorial Ground pitch had never been in better condition and it was the biggest crowd of the season.

The Victoria Prize band were there “to brighten the moments before play begins. If the concord of sweet sounds please you, drop a coin or two in the collectors’ boxes.”

Bristol played Wartime International Fred Hill at hooker and Eric Hopton in the second row. Both were destined to give long and meritorious service to Bath.

It was a debut game for Guy Addenbrooke, late of Clifton, but principally a Swansea winger.

Sullivan dealt successfully with a couple of Bristol forays and the Bath tackling was first class. Bristol took the lead after 22 minutes for a scrummaging offence. Griffin was successful from 35 yards. Bath fought back strongly and the sides turned around with Bristol leading 3-0.

The second half commenced in the same hectic manner, and then the game was halted while Donnelly recovered from a ‘knock-out’ blow. Shortly after, Bristol’s Bain raced through for a try, which Griffin converted. Next Rees flopped over and Griffin again did the honours.

Donnelly had been limping badly, but in the 23^rd minute he suddenly made the running. Intercepting a loose pass he rounded the Bristol full back lost the ball and went down hurt. Newcomer Addenbrooke was quickly on the scene to pick up and score in his first match for Bath. Sullivan missed the conversion but compensated with a penalty three minutes later.

A minute from time, Bath’s two Lewises charged on the Bristol full back and Alec Lewis touched down amidst great applause. Sullivan converted, but Bristol were just ahead – by a whisker.

BADGE AWARDS

17^th December 1949. Prior to the War, Caps had been awarded to players participating in a required number of games. It was considered that caps were now outmoded, and there was a Committee decision to award blazer badges instead. The requirement was 15 First team appearances  in the sane season or 20 appearances in more than one season. This was to be effective from the beginning of the current season.

THE MAGIC SPONGE

“Just before this happened Harter had a shaking up and shortly afterwards the hooker, Francis, was in the wards, too. But the application of the magic sponge soon put these two sailormen right.”

Two minutes later, a yawning gap ion the Bath defence allowed Cullen to score from half way without a hand being put upon him. Quine converted.

“The Bath forwards again came into their own for, following a five yards scrum, they pushed the Leicester eight over the line and Burcombe touched down for a deserved try which Sullivan, by converting, further helped to narrow the margin.”

“The game had become a tremendous struggle between the forwards and at some stages a ball seemed hardly necessary! The Leicester pack was as tough as that of Bath – which is saying a great deal.

Bath’s chances of saving the game disappeared almost right on time when Nicholas dribbled over the line and Sibson got the successful touch-down. Quine’s kick failed.”

THE BAGGAGE MAN

‘Baggage Man.’ The job title was prescribed by the R.F.U. The job description might be listed as carting the kit Despite the constant team changes there was a demonstrable longevity in the shape of the Club around, getting it cleaned and repaired, banging in replacement studs, being an ‘ever-ready’ to sort out a multitude of player problems; making sure all were present at point of departure for away games and all on board after the many official and unofficial stops en route.

He often doubled as the ‘sponge man,’ or might find himself running the line when no other touch judge was available.

The Club were allowed to make a nominal payment for these services.  At this time, he often fulfilled what could loosely be described as a ‘Trainer’ role, but this was on a strictly voluntary basis.

The remuneration was so small, that no man would undertake such a commitment unless he was utterly devoted to the team cause. For this reason, the job tended to attract men of particularly stout countenance. Some notable men come to mind. There was Jack Cutting (who was killed in the blitz), Alby Hatherill for many years, and lately George Donaldson ‘had grown grey’ in service to the Club.

Time had brought change and the latest lynchpin was to be Alf Ball, brother of Bob Ball the United skipper. He commenced duties by travelling to the Cardiff game. “Like his predecessor, Alf Ball has had a prominent sporting career, and has played rugby, at centre three-quarter, for St. Mark’s and Bath Harlequins. His three brothers also played for these clubs.” For 10 years he was swimming instructor to Weymouth House School. In the Army, he was a Sergeant instructor in the Somerset Light Infantry. There were several more of this ilk that lay claim to a place of honour in the Bath history.

ENGLAND SCHOOLS’ CAPS.

Committee congratulations to Brain Weston, City of Bath School (Brother of Cliff Weston later to play for Bath) selected as England Schools’ Rugby Captain. He was the first Bath schoolboy to captain England.

Previous schoolboy internationals:- G. Perrett (forward from Oldfield), C Parsons, forward and Harry Vowles, scrum half (East Twerton School), Bob Rose , wing (scored try)

The Ladies

For the first time, the Bath Club Dinner was to be graced by the presence of its lady members.

1/4/1950 v London Scottish, Away, Lost 14-21. P Sullivan, R Hambly, K O’Shaughnessy, R Self, W Williams, K Wilcox, M Hanna, J Roberts, J Francis, T Smith, P Sheppard, L Harter, J Dingle, G Brown, T Lewis.

The Exciles beat Bath by 3 goals and 2 penalties to a goal, 2 tries and a penalty. Bath had an early dribble and with Tom Smith in the vanguard, the Scots were driven back some 35 yards. However, the wily L Bruce Lockheart, soon sent Bath scuttling back. A deep cross-kick found a gap in the Bath defence and Stewart touched down near the posts. Lockheart converted. Turnbull then scored from a line out and Lockheart added two penalties to put Bath 16 points in arrears. Two minutes later Campbell exploited another Bath gap and Lockheart was again successful with the kick.

Bath eventually got amongst the points in the fourteenth minute of the second half. Sullivan kicked penalty from a narrow angle. This signalled a considerable revival in which winger Williams bagged a brace of tries and Sullivan majored with a grand goal. Smith, Harter, Francis and Trevor Lewis had a hand in the build up and it was one of the finest efforts of the season. Bath piled on more pressure resulting in Hambly scoring his first senior try near the corner flag. Ex-Bath’s Allan Todd played for London Scottish.

“That game with the Scottish must go down to history as one of the most remarkable come-

backs in the club’s career.”

MANCOM 3/4/1950

Messrs Barber and Arnold to meet H B Toft to discuss coaching of junior players.

Mrs (Frank) Cashnella presented a team photograph to the Club.

The Ladies

For the first time, the Bath Club Dinner was to be graced by the presence of its lady members.

MANCOM 24/4/1950

It was decided to hold a meeting of regular players for the purpose of election of next year’s captain. Regular players was defined as those who had played 12 games for the 1^st XV or 20 for the Club in that season.

(At a meeting of regular players on May 30^th, Alec Lewis was elected for the coming season. This announcement was received with acclamation at the AGM)

MANCOM 15/5/1950

A letter received from the Town Clerk regarding the proposed Memorial Ground pitch for Junior rugby.