West Tom

by Peter Hall and Geoff Pillinger

Thomas West

Position: Wing

Born: in Twerton, Bath

Height:

Weight:

Education:

Achievements: Bath Captain 1907/08

Honours: Somerset

Debut game: 26th September 1903 v Taunton

Final game: 10th October 1908 v London Devonians

Number of Appearances: 90

Career details: It was in the defunct Oldfield Park Club that he first played Rugby, and from there he came into the Bath XV. He was a wing three-quarter, extremely fast, and as a sprinter, had won several prizes on the running track. In 1907-8 season he was captain of the Bath 1st XV.

He played in the inaugural Somerset Cup Final against Bridgwater Albion on 23rd March1907, which was never forgotten by those who witnessed the game. Towards the end West seemed to be winning the game for Bath. Centre Dick Meister (who also became a soldier), got away with the ball and passed to West on the right wing, and he looked certain use his superior speed to score. As players ran across to try to cut him off, he made a mistake in dodging inside and was caught in possession. In the first half of extra time, the Albion scored and Bath lost by a goal. There was a protest to the R.F.U. regarding the extra time played in near darkness, and the allegedly unjust sending off of a Bath player in the first ten minutes. All to no avail.

West made several appearances for Somerset, but in 1908 left the amateur game to play for the Northern Union to distinguish himself with Rochdale Hornets, who went on to win the Northern Union Cup. He threw in a good job with the Rochdale Corporation Electricity Works to join the Rifle Corps.

Rifleman Tom West, of “A” Company 10th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps was killed in action on the morning of Wednesday September 29th.1915

This page was added on 31/12/2014.

Comments about this page

  • Tom West had a brother – Herbert Walter West who played several games for BFC between 1903 and 1905 as well as for Stotherts. Herbert’s son was Cyril (known as Bud) West who played in the 1930s (see player profile).
    The brothers grew up in East Twerton and there was a younger brother, Reginald West. In the match reports on this site, a Reg West is mentioned in games played 1920, when Reginald would have been 25 years old.

    By Dave Kent (29/01/2017)
  • Hi David
    Thanks very much for your comments
    Reg West was predominantly an ‘A’ team player, a side which he captained. I have not yet created his profile but it appears he played 5 games for the 1st XV
    We are trying to fill as many gaps as possible in the history of the Club so you’re input is invaluable
    If you have any more info please don’t hesitate to send it to us
    Thanks again
    Geoff

    By Geoff Pillinger (31/01/2017)

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