1967-1968 ANECDOTES

1967-1968 ANECDOTES
NEWS REVIEW
News that Pilot Officer Geoff Frankcom had left Bedford and would be available to Bath. He was to commence flying training at R.A.F. South Cerney, near Cirencester.
Bath failed in their bid to retain the Abingdon Sevens title.
Jim Vaissiere took over the Secretaryship of the Colts XV. One of his first duties was to stand in as referee. The Colts beat their Swindon counterparts 21-3.
At the request of the R.F.U., Bath had agreed to implement the new Trial Law designed to restrict kicking direct to touch outside the home 25.
MANCOM 18/9/1967
Mr. J Bailey asked if there could be a reduced subscription for pensioners. In reply Mr Buchanan said that although it would not be policy to advertise so, any deserving cases might be considered at their own request.
MANCOM 2/10/1967
Agreed to fall in with the R.F.U.’s request to televise the Bath v Devonport Services game on November 18th.
Mr Angus Meek reported on plans to re-align the pitch, West Stand and Clubhouse, in negotiation with the City Planning Office. Possible costs could be in the region of £55,000.
P S Jenkins resigned as a playing member. He moved to Midsomer Norton.
MANCOM 2/10/1967
Agreed to fall in with the R.F.U.’s request to televise the Bath v Devonport Services game on November 18th.
Mr Angus Meek reported on plans to re-align the pitch, West Stand and Clubhouse, in negotiation with the City Planning Office. Possible costs could be in the region of £55,000.
P S Jenkins resigned as a playing member. He moved to Midsomer Norton.
From the MATCH PROGRAMME
We are very pleased to have young Vaughan Williams with us, he has proved a most loyal Bath player and we all hope he will find a post in the area when he finishes his studies at St. Luke’s College.

Best of luck to David *Gay and Ian Duckworth who are in the Rest XV at Twickenham today.

Don’t forget the DANCE in the CLUBHOUSE this evening. Ladies welcome!
GOOD MUSIC, GOOD COMPANY and GOOD SERVICE from Ernest Ewes and his boys!

H.J.F.S.

*Gay was subsequently selected to play against Wales on January 20th 1968.

MARTLAND’S MAGIC IN REC MUDBATH HELPS BATH HOLD TIGERS
“that versatile master of the unexpected.” Thus quoted John Stevens in the Bath Chronicle 8/1/1968.

Tom Martland led a dramatic second-half fight back to end the game all square. Bath scorers were Martland – drop goal, try and conversion. Flanker, Ian Holmes got the other try, after good work by Parfitt and Parsons.
This was one of Tom Martland’s finest, out of many outstanding performances, in a variety of positions. On this occasion, he was pressed into service on the wing. He was so often referred to as a utility player, which might imply mediocrity. In truth, he could play exceptionally well in any position.
I think he did managed to provide temporary cover for every position but the front five.

MANCOM 15/1/1968
Meeting advised that David Gay had been selected for England v France 20th January 1968, and Ian Duckworth asked to stand by as Reserve.
Public meeting held regarding the proposed Sports Centre to be sited on the Recreation Ground.
D Robson suggested that the problems of running a first class club were becoming more and more demanding. He was requested to prepare his proposals for possible re-organisation, for submission to a Sub Committee.

DAVID GAY
Bath’s six feet tall Number 8 was selected to play Wales at age 19. His policeman father had played for Pontypridd and later became a forward stalwart, and elected as Club Captain for the 1939-40 season. Unfortunately a state of War was to curtail normal Club activity. David was selected along with fellow Schoolboy International B R West of Northampton. At that time he had played 52 times for Bath and eight of them while still at Bath Technical School. His brother Allen was then the Bath full back.

MANCOM 29/1/1968
Tit for Tat!
A Letter had been received from Avon R.F.C. showing willingness to make players available to Bath, but equally, they thought it right that Bath should loan players to them when they were short.
After a full discussion, it was concluded that this suggestion was not a practicable one.
ALL JAW
It was Gordon Mobley’’ first appearance since he fractured his jaw, playing against Leicester a year previously. John Steven’s match report observed: “A defensive effort cost Bath the services of Mobley, and Martland was called upon as his deputy.” In fact, it transpired that poor Mobley had again suffered a fractured jaw!
FOR THE RECORD

Top Try scorers:- Duckworth 16; Sibley 13; Martland 11; Donovan and D Gay 9; Orledge and Parsons 6. There were 48 conversions, 8 Drop goals and 33 penalties.
Leading appearances:- Heindorff 39, Orledge 37, Sibley 37, Martland 35, P Parfitt 35, Donovan 34, Hall 33, Duckworth, D Gay, and Parsons 30.
Overall, it had been a good season
Bath suffered their fewest defeats for 16 years, and the results contained a far higher proportion of victories over the top clubs.

Tom Martland was again the top points scorer with 68. This was composed of 11 tries, 2 penalties, 10 conversions and 3 drop goals.

J D Monahan won his Cambridge Blue in the 1967-68 season.