1979-1980 ANECDOTES

1979-1980 ANECDOTES

MANCOM 19/7/1979

John Horton endorsed the acceptance of Roger Spurrell as a playing member of the Club.

CALIFORNIA TOUR

Bath’s domestic season was preceded by a five match tour of California, including Paloato, where Bath enjoyed a 40pts-9pts win. Wyatt scored three of the seven tries.

Bath took the honours in the San Jose Sevens Tournament. They entered two teams and won all their matches. Seahawk’s and ex Bath player Bill Marks, guested for Bath ‘B’.

Bath ‘A’ 7 scored an aggregate 74 pts to 32pts in their four games. A Squad: Simon Jones, Robbie Lye, George Norman, John Davies, John Palmer, Mark Sutton and Derek Wyatt.

Bath ‘B’ 7: Bill Marks, Mark Hayes, Jon Roberts, Chris Bird, Paul Smith, Gary Townsend and Jim Waterman. Points for 102, against 60.

MANCOM 29/8/1979

It was reported that the Californian Tour was a great success. Thanks were due to Mr. J W P Roberts, the Organiser and Manager of the Tour.

Messrs. Rowell and Horton were pleased to announce that the Club now had strength in depth and players were looking forward to a successful season.

The Old Players Association had presented the Club with tables and chairs for use in the Clubhouse.

Agreed to invite Mr. John Stevens, of the Bath Chronicle, to be Publicity Officer.

Bath Croquet Club to be charged £3 to hire a Clubhouse room for regular Bridge sessions.

MATCH SPONSORS

Mr. Walworth advised that a lot of work had been done in trying to get home match sponsors. A Luncheon had been organised prior to the Neath match and local businessmen were being invited with a view to future sponsorship of games.

Geoff Pillinger announced his retirement from playing rugby at age 30, due to a recurring back injury problem. He did, in fact, make himself available for a few more games, but his association since joining from Keynsham, ended at a disappointingly early age.

MANCOM 6/12/1979

Mr. Roger Berry suggested that a President’s Room should be provided, so that visiting important officials could be entertained. The Grounds Committee was invited to come up with suggestions.

MANCOM 2/1/1980

Chris Lilley had been ordered off in a United versus Cwmbran game and was suspended until January 18^th.

Messrs. J P Horton, G Parsons and Simon Jones were to be congratulated on playing in the Final England Trial.

MANCOM 7/5/1980

Mr. Jack Rowell reported as Chairman of Selection and Club Coach that the 1979/80 had been an outstanding season. He indicated that the club must now look forward and plan for the Rugby Football Union Leagues, which would be with us in a few years time.

The following Awards were agreed for the Annual Dinner:- Young Player of the Year – Richard Lee. Club Man of the Year – Jack Rowell. Club Captain to be presented with a pint tankard.

Mrs. Sandra Hall and Miss Kay Morgan to be invited to Ladies Night.

LEWIS AND KENDALL-CARPENTER HONOURED

On the 18^th July 1980 there was a Dinner at the Bath Clubhouse in honour of Mr. Alec Lewis who was about to emigrate to South Africa and J Mc G Kendall-Carpenter the first Bath player to be elected President of the Rugby Football Union.

The season’s 37 victories were the highest in the Club’s history. John Horton was in the England side for every game and England won the Triple Crown. Gerry Parsons and Simon Jones both won England Trials and the Club had high hopes for Cornishman, Roger Spurrell who joined that season.

In a team of burgeoning talent, it seems invidious to pick out favourites. There were consistently high performances from several players, but it was surely, Trick and Wyatt who thrilled the crowds.

For the second successive season, Bath were the top English club, finishing fourth in the overall table, behind Swansea, Pontypool and Cardiff.