1993-1994 ANECDOTES

1993-1994 ANECDOTES

FOR THE FOLLOWING THREE SEASONS WE HAVE INCLUDED, MATCH SUMMARIES IN HONOUR OF THE LATE MRS. JOAN BUDGE, WHO RENDERED INVALUABLE ASSISTANCE TO KEN JOHNSTONE, THE BATH CLUB’S PRESS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER. SHE KEPT THE MATCH STATISTICS AND PROVIDED SHORT PITHY COMMENTS ON EACH MATCH – THE PRESSMEN DEPENDED ON HER.
SHE WAS AMAZINGLY DEDICATED AND A THOROUGHLY NICE PERSON.
In each case, her comments are in red type.
Major input towards Bath’s success must be attributed to the forward looking coaching triumvirate of Jack Rowell, Dave Robson and Tom Hudson.
Other support specialists came to occupy prime positions, such as Ged Roddy of Bath University, who intensified a fitness programme first introduced by Hudson. Each player had his personal fitness programme, which was closely monitored.

ON FIELD INJURIES
HONORARY SURGEONS AND DOCTORS
From the early 1920’s, the team relied on Honorary Surgeon Dr. R Scott-Reid and perhaps, one or two St. John’s Ambulance men. On-field cuts and bruises were remedied by the faithful ‘bucket and sponge’ man.
Dr.W B S Crawford joined Scott-Reid in 1950 and Dr. J R Kirkup in the 1960-70 season. Doctor David Protheroe, whose wife helped to start up Mini Rugby, joined the medical team in the 1976-77 season. Mr Phillip Bliss and David Protheroe, were in tandem from the 1986-87 season and by 1994, an organised team of Medical Officers was in place, including Dr. Keith Gruffydd-Jones, Mr. Cledwyn Jones, Dr. Ian Grandison, Dr. Robin While, and Dr. Simon Burrell

THE PHYSIOS
It was January 1976 when Bath’s first Chartered Physiotherapist – Mr. Gareth George ran on to the pitch to tend to the wounded. It was about the time that Phil Hall was winding up his long playing career.
Gareth was eventually succeeded by Mrs Julie Bardner as Senior Physiotherapist. Her arrival was heralded with a few wolf whistles, but soon the talk was about other clubs: “They’ve got one at London Welsh you know!”
Things had certainly moved on since ‘early sponge-man,’ as the Club had to match medical support with the ever increasing wear and tear on players’ bodies and also in compliance with strict RFU Regulations relating to treatment of wounds. Hard knocks and intensive levels of play had brought inevitable bruises and strains, which demanded to be remedied within ever shortening recovery spans.

A succession of dedicated lady ‘physios’ tended to refer to player patients in terms of – Andy’s back, Jon Hall’s knee, Ollie’s shoulder, and just about every appendage of United/Spartan’s (mega outpatient) Paul Cosgrove!

Ever more power to their elbows – we say. But John Donne (1571-1631) said it better:

“Licence my roving hands, and let them go,
Before, behind, between, above, below.”

13/8/1994 – Welsh Worthington Sevens, For the Snelling Trophy.
– Winners, at Cardiff Arms Park.
Squad:- Peters, Adams, Haag, Ojomoh, Lloyd, Lumsden, Geoghegan, Callard, Sanders and Catt.

Club stalwart Nick Watson led a party to the Madrid Sevens. They were beaten in the Final 35 –7 by Leicester. The Club was represented by:- Eric Peters, Gareth Adams, Colin Morley, Mike Lloyd,
Ed Rayner, Tony Iacano, Rob Amphlett, Jon Bamsey and Mark Woodman.
Nick (at an advanced, but undisclosed, age), also played for the English Classicals alongside Paul Simpson, Martin Sparkes, David Trick and Chalkie Wardle.
Main sponsors – Aguila Brewery looked after the inner man!

Here ended Jack Rowell’s term at Bath.