1907-1908 ANECDOTES

7/9/1907 CLUB TRIAL at Bohemians’ Ground, Red Lion Field, Odd Down

Tram from Old Bridge, 3 o’clock; change at Red Lion Inn. (Bath’s tenancy of the Rec. did not commence until September 16^th in consequence the match with Bridgwater was switched to an away fixture 14^th September)

“A fair number of spectators undertook the hill climb to Odd Down, and the scene on the ground was an animated one.”

Researches discovered Bath Bohemians mentioned in 1902-03 season, and certainly a number of their players appeared in the Bath 1^st XV from time to time. They were an independent club, based on Odd Down, and became attached to the Bath Combination, appearing through until 1908.

There is a mystifying 1906-07 Team photograph in Bath Club strip. In their struggle to survive, it is concluded that the kit was borrowed for the occasion!

MAYOR MAKES THE DIFFERENCE?

“Bath did not check their run of defeats this season until the then Mayor (Mr. S W Bush) came down to the ground to see them drawing with Racing Club de France, and they reserved their first actual win until today when the present Mayor (Mr. T H Miller) honoured the game with his presence.

It is evident that the team play best when there is civic patronage, hence we shall all hope his Worship will frequently come down to see matches.”

SEVERAL “MORAL” TRIES SCORED IN A ‘POINTLESS GAME!’

“Bristol missed by a hair’s breath when Phelps raced to the dead ball line in vain, and hard on this followed a series of harrowing escapes from scoring on Bath’s part. ‘Moral’ tries were scored in rapid succession during a fateful 10 minutes during which the incidents were so frequent as to bewilder the Pressmen. At half time the blank score book was an impartial indicator of the games’ character.

As to the trend of affairs after the lemons had been sucked, the honest chronicler is bound to admit that Bath for 20 minutes, (were) hardly off the defensive, and during this trying period the Bristol spectators underwent torture as chances came to nought. Strong defence helped always by mistakes, resulted in a pointless game.”

THE LAST 30 BATH/BRISTOL GAMES

“Not to probe into history too remote to interest many it may be said that of the last 30 games Bristol have won 26 and drawn three of the other four. Bath’s one ‘ewe lamb’ was in the 1896-97 season, the margin being only a try scored by Long. Those 30 games have produced for Bristol 30 goals, and 62 tries, for Bath only 6 goals and 13 tries.”

BATH CHRONICLE 27/12/1907

BACHELORS v BENEDICTS

“The contest between the Benedicts and Bachelors of Walcot at Lambridge Meadows yesterday was started by the Mayor of Bath (Mr. T H Miller), who kicked off. The players wore jerseys of divers hues and patterns, so that to distinguish either side by its colours was impossible. Anything approaching a display of science was neither expected nor forthcoming; but some serious work was done, however, and the close of the first half found the Bachelors, for whom Porch had scored through Bryant, leading by a try to nil. But in the finish the superior wisdom of the married men prevailed. Just before the close of play Russell crossed the line, and Smith added the two points, which gave his side the victory. It should be mentioned that a good size crowd, which naturally included several ladies, watched the progress of events and Mr. W Dolman decided the several points in dispute. The gate money was devoted to the benefit of the funds of the Eastern Dispensary.”

Married:- F Paisey, W Smith, S Smith, J Olds, W Latham, E Watts, R Messer,

T Pratt, F Latham, A Billett, T Box, W Hicks, J Kelson, W Butt, H Lane.

Single:- W Stone, A Porch, G Gerrish, H Bishop, F Wurtenburg, J Cross,

S Ridewood, H Roberts, W Lewis, F Colstone, R Baldwin, A Long, H Russell, W Lovder, and F Bright.