1987-1988 ANECDOTES

1987-1988 ANECDOTES
This season saw the introduction of the Courage League Championship, destined to raise competitive levels from top rated clubs down to the lowliest of sub divisions. There was now promotion to aim for – and of course, relegation to contemplate. The leagues were identified as an improvement on the previous Merit Table system, but they were to take a couple of seasons to refine. In the early stages, there were fixture conflicts, with demands of Clubs, Divisions and International commitments seemingly competing for priority, making excessive demands on amateur players.

Thanks to the efforts of the Grounds Committee, the popular side flowerpot stands had been extended along the whole length of the playing area.

R.F.U. ruling that for a trial period, in all domestic matches – play could continue whilst a player was being treated on field, for a minor injury, by a medically trained person or a strong man.”

JOHN HALL’S KNEE
An Evening Post article dated 25th July 1987, focused on John Hall’s knee injury problem. He had been selected for England’s World Cup squad, but suffered a major disappointment, with cartilage damage before training had really got under way. He was obliged to take the earliest plane home. Hall had an operation on the same knee a year previously and faced a long slog back to full match fitness.
Unfortunately, he had to carry this injury for the rest of his playing career.

MANCOM 4/8/1987
Comment on the damage caused by staging Volleyball on the Rec. In addition to the wear in the playing areas, there was a serious problem with the number of metal tent pegs, which were left in the ground.
It was agreed not to open the bars for the forthcoming American Football event.
News that David Trick was returning to the Club.
Request made to allow for Hot Air Balloons to take off from Lambridge referred to the Grounds Sub-Committee.

MANCOM MEETING
The Council’s proposals for a Park and Ride Scheme for Lambridge were discussed in detail.
Club representatives had met with Peter Candy, regarding a possible playing area at Bathampton.

Not a good start for the first Courage League fixture!
Predictably, it was ‘Access Barred’ to the changing room, as Jack Rowell delivered collective and individual verbal lashings for at least half an hour. Jack did not pull punches and for any under-performer – there was no place to hide. Gradually the browbeaten players emerged into the outer world. At the very least, they could soothe out any self -doubts with a pint or two of the strong stuff.
They did have the last laugh however. Jack had stormed off to attend an R.F.U. Coaching seminar.
He found the game under analysis – that day’s Leicester v Bath!
Mac CRONIN!
The 6ft. 6ins. and 16 1/2 stone lock, Damian Cronin was fast approaching full International recognition – FOR SCOTLAND! He had made a successful debut in the Anglo-Scottish XV versus the French and was set fair for a full Trial.
“Sole discovered that although Cronin was born in Germany of an Irish father and considered himself English through and through, there were grandparents on his mother’s side from Lothian.” (Chris Ducker – Evening Post)
COUCHIE
Whatever public image he projected, Chilcott was no fool. He knew his rugby, he was always in the thick of the action, and was greatly respected by friend and foe alike. Off the field, he was a happy, friendly gregarious type. Thoroughly entertaining company, he often had more academic types, such as David Trick, enthralled by his quick wit and stream of anecdotes. Stories of his antics ‘On Tour’ remain highly classified: “What goes on Tour – stays on Tour!” He was one of Bath’s greatest clubmen.
THE ROBINSONS
Sean Robinson, brother of Andy, showed a similar family trait – the ability to serve up block-busting tackles throughout the game. Andy was away, playing for the South West Division, and a third brother, Peter, was in the Somerset side for the Colts Final at Twickenham.
Richard Lee scored an early try, which Cue converted, Saracens came back with a penalty and a sweeping three-quarter move produced a try for Sean Robinson. Jeremy Guscott completed Bath’s scoring with a clever solo effort, winning a kick and chase for the touchdown. Saracens clinched the game with two more penalties.
Paul Simpson was at the centre of a Bath rally, but Robinson was on hand for a try saving tackle.
Damian Cronin’s commuting to Scotland had paid off, as he was selected to make his debut against Ireland in Dublin. He had regularly driven to Heathrow for the 50-minute flight.
He estimated he had covered 12,000 miles in pursuit of International glory.

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EARLY GUSCOTT
Guscott’s injury-time try was a foretaste of great things to come. In the earliest days he was something of an enigma. The opposition, his teammates and perhaps, himself, never knew what he was going to do next! His portfolio of silky moves developed as the seasons rolled on. He had indifferent days when his mind appeared to be in other pastures, but so did his mentor David Trick. However, it is sufficient to say that ‘Tricky’ dispensed some crisp, home spun advice to Jeremy, at a critical time in his development. For this, Guscott and the rest of the rugby world were to become eternally grateful, as he blossomed into a prince among the aristocracy of centres.
In this particular game: “The centre broke from his own 22, dummied his way behind the first line of defence, sold another in the Police half and touched down between the posts.” Cue rounded things off with his seventh conversion.
RED NOSE DAY!
It was ‘Comic Relief Week,’ and the Bath players took the field wearing red noses! “A well-conceived try by left wing Audley Lumsden after just 53 seconds raised hopes of a runaway win, but apart from the odd touch of inspiration from centre Jeremy Guscott, it was mostly slapstick.” (Kevin Coughlan – Evening Post) Worryingly, Bath showed a marked lack of concentration and commitment in advance of their Fourth Round Cup date with Leicester. They also gave away an inordinate amount of penalties.
JACK GIVES THANKS
Jack Rowell had the unenviable task of approaching the post-match dressing room. As with most occasions, Jack was equal to the situation:

“The giant Geordie told his dejected team: “It’s been a pleasure working with such a great bunch of players.
Don’t think of losing this game…look back and realise what a unique experience it has been.”
He later confessed:
“The Bath dressing- room does tend to be a little quiet after a defeat. The first few minutes seemed like hours. After all, the Cup has become a way of life. You are bound to get withdrawal symptoms.

“Given the territorial advantage, given the chances, we should have won. The run wasn’t going to go on for ever but for it to end like that was heart-breaking.” (Bath Chronicle)
Scrum half Jamie Knight, brother of Steve, won an England Colts Cap in Italy.
England Colts won 23-9. It was a proud moment for their father, Chairman of Youth, Terry Knight.

NOTHING IN THE TROPHY CABINET
There was a slide down the merit tables – 10th in the English-Welsh, Sunday Telegraph Table, and 5th in the English Club rankings. Bath’s first season in Courage League had yielded 6 wins, 1 draw and 4 losses. In the League, there was a paucity of tries amongst the backs; Trick, Halliday and Palmer scored none, Guscott one, and Swift was top scorer with just three!
By any standard, it was not a good season.