Nineteen-Thirties (continued)Playing at back were Donald Lockhart and a man who I think was a Wiltshire and who was rather deaf. Whatever infirmity he possessed in his hearing there was none in hand and eye. I was always genuinely surprised when the opposition got past this triumvirate, but although this feat was accomplished it was never very frequent.
I always contend that the ist XI in the 1930's was the best side the club has put out. This may be the prejudice of a 'has been' but when one calls to mind the present ability of Donald Lockhart and relates it back to those days there must be some force in the argument. Due to some queer mis-management of times of County trials Donald never really had a chance of his County Cap which all agreed was his by merit. Yet he, modest man, would be the first to admit to being an example of the individual standard.
I also recall the great Shoveller speaking commendation of George Baker. Davy was an inside forward of great skill. Rowe, who I believe had played for Marlborough, was a glorious wielder of the stick. More of Rowe later! Others no less distinguished were Boyd, Smith, Tuttle and Pat Goffey.
When I arrived, after a short trial, I was immediately drafted into the 2nd XI (there being no 3rd) for the limitations of my agricultural style were swiftly perceived. The gap between the 1st and 2nd Xl's was like unto a great abyss and the tale of the 2nd was one of lost causes in far off fields. After a more than usual devastating reverse (21 near-misses at Herbert Todd in goal) Rowe came down to provide a hinge for the rabble to attempt to pivot and form some sort of front. With undiminished goodwill this hero herded us along the right road until the war. That which the 2nd XI lacked in skill was sufficiently balanced by enthusiasm and it was awe-inspiring to see Rowe (who unhampered could have done better on his own) set this infernal machine of a side in tumultuous motion. An attack so ingeniously conceived and so gallantly but imperfectly executed bore close resemblance to the Galway players in full cry. Ah rue! How much I used to enjoy the carnage.
Naturally these goings-on among the younger element fulfilled a higher social purpose in 1939 for nearly all these types, skilled and unskilled, were drafted into the Armed Forces to wreck mayhem on the foe instead of upon their friends. My training in goal in the 2nd XI fitted me for the Royal Artillery and stood me in good stead. One of my early C.O.'s was (they said) an ex-Welsh International. Having inflicted some minor harm upon him in a friendly knock-up I found myself posted overseas to work off such malignancy in more suitable spheres. This was in spite of the protests of the P.T. Instructor who said to me admiringly 'I can see that you have used a club before.'
It was the ageing remains of these two sides which formed ranks in the mid-forties and suffered such cataclysmic defeats until new blood under the guidance of Laurence Viney, Bill Nelson and 'Tek' Williams lifted the club to its present high standard.
DOUGLAS THORNE.
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