1924-1925 ANECDOTES

BATH ANECDOTES 1924-25

BATH CHRONICLE 9/8/1924

Announcement that an England International Trial booked at Bath had been re-scheduled. The R.F.U. needed to give prospective players a ‘run-out’ at Twickenham, in time for the New Zealand match on 3^rd January 1925. A Trial on 19^th December 1925 was promised for a Bath venue.

BATH CHRONICLE 16/8/1924

At the AGM of the Bath Referees Society reported on a successful season. Seven referees had been supplied for County matches, 2 to Bristol District games, 2 to the Boys’ Rugby Union and 180 to local rugby.

Nineteen players had turned out for the first training session, held at the Somerset Boys’ Home field:- H McDaniel, G Woodward, C E Carruthers, A E Anderson, H Slade, W J Banyard, P L Chapman, F Jones, R Mead, C Woodward, B Wright, J Sheppard, L W Bisgrove, H Vowles, F Rhymes, G Parfitt, F H Wood and G A Yearsley. For the pre-season trial, players changed at St. Mary’s Church House, Grove Street.

Training to continue each Tuesday and Thursday.

BERT COMM TURNED PRO.

During the close season, Bert Comm turned professional to join the Oldham Northern Union Club. A great blow for Bath.

“Had he been able to secure a better situation in Bath, there is little doubt he would have remained in the city, and no one can blame him for seizing the opportunity of improving his position in life when it came his way.” (‘MASCOT’ IN CHRONICLE)

MANCOM 26/8/1924

Sole rights of publishing Fixture Almanac for season 1925-26 given to Blackett Press.

Profits from the match programme to go towards District Club funds. Three members each, from the Bath Club and the Bath Supporters’ Committees to administer circulation of the proceeds to deserving junior clubs. The match programme to be enlarged.

Hail to Rugger!

There’s a whisper down the field, where the willow bat you wield

And the pitch lays bare in the sun.

Singing, batsmen, leave the wicket, for it’s past

The time for cricket,

And the boating season’s done.

You have heard the howl of winter’s wind

And the thresh of winter rain.

You have heard the song – How long! How long?

Get back to the game again.

Ha’ done with stumps and pads, my lad,

You have seen the season through,

And it’s time to turn to the old game, our own game, the real game.

Get into your vest for the hard game, the game that is always new.

You can hear the touchlines roar, as the oval clears the beam,

And the score is left at seven points to nine.

Its “Pack down tight and shove, you dogs.”

It’s “Wheel and take her through.”

And it’s “Rush it down” in the old game,

Our own game, the real game.

It’s “Get him low” in the hard game, the game that is always new.

ALL BLACKS IN BATH

BATH CHRONICLE 27/9/1924 included an account of the “All Blacks” brief visit to Bath.

A luncheon was provided by the Bath Club Committee, with a few short speeches of welcome.

“Many of us would very much have liked to hear the New Zealander’s “War Cry,” but unfortunately (Or should I say fortunately?) it was not to be.

Their cheers for the Mayor and Mayoress and the Bath Club prior to their departure was the quintessence of concentrated energy.” (MARCUS – BATH CHRONICLE)

RALPH BANKS COMES INTO PROMINENCE

(Bath Chronicle 15/11/1924 referring to Banks) “What I like most about this Larkhall boy is the way he gives his passes, every time with both hands, so that it is very seldom that they go wrong.”

BRISTOL PINK ‘UN 15/11/1924

“

Bath’s most improved outside player is I fancy, R Banks, who last week took the centre position, playing to Considine, and yet he played like an experienced threequarter, although he is the youngest man on the side.

On Saturday last, the Larkhall boy showed more than ever that he has a great future, if all goes well.

To-day, Bath had threequarters to spare, so Banks went to Swindon with the ‘A’s,’ for whom his brother J Banks – also a young ‘un – is one of the best forwards. Both these players came from the local Trams XV., who had a good side last season, and it is a pity they are not running this.”

Bath Chronicle 8/12/1924

“Ralph Banks once more proved what a fine three quarter he is becoming. He handled like a veteran and used his brains to create openings.

Harry Richardson has returned to form with a bang, and personally I consider that he was the best centre on the field today at Bristol and his partner, Ralph Banks, is certainly ‘the’ find of the season.”

Bath backs were in good form. It had been a fine all-round display, whilst Considine was – magnificent.

“After the match the Bristol supporters Club entertained the teams and their officials and the officials of the Bath Supporters Club to dinner, which was followed by a visit to the Hippodrome.”

The Bristol Match programme contained the following limerick:

Young Considine takes the Bath Bun. He starts like a shot from a gun.

His manner elusive

Is very conducive

To scoring. Just watch how it’s done!

A COUPLE OF SNIPPITS

“Steve Morris, the captain of Cross Keys, ordered one of his own team off the field for a breach of discipline in a match at Taunton!”

“In a match at Mountain Ash, where Aberavon were the visitors last Saturday, there was an interchange of blows between two of the opposing players.

As a result of this incident, both teams left the field, but they were persuaded to resume, without the pugilistic players, a short time later.”

16/4/1925

BATH RUGBY DANCE

Long game at the Pump Room.

“About 200 local ‘Rugbyites’ and their friends kept quite a different ball from the usual rolling on Thursday, when the large Pump Room floor was utilised for the Bath Rugby carnival dance.

The Supporters’ Club who, with the assistance of representatives of all local teams, arranged the ball, succeeded in giving the patrons a jolly good time and also in making a nice profit for their funds.”

Novelty Winner – Miss Ruby White (Fruit)

Most Original – Miss L Roper (Poppy)

Fancy- 1st. Mr C Basden; 2nd. Mrs Basden.

“In place of the strained and heated faces customary on Saturday afternoons in the season, one saw false noses and large grins, while the grotesque masks did not prevent various mouth instruments from adding to the dim. An almost unlimited supply of coloured streamers, balloons and other novelties mingling with artificial and fancy costumes made the scene unusually gay.”