Cricket Witness No 5 - Whites on Green

26 The Bancrofts following the creation of the St. Helen’s ground, it was only a matter of time before his return to Swansea soil and, having served his apprenticeship elsewhere, he duly succeeded his father as the Swansea professional. Once again, JTD played a role in securing his services, with Bancroft’s income from his work at St. Helen’s being augmented by coaching pupils at Swansea Grammar School, in addition to acting as private coach to the Llewelyn family at Penllergaer and working alongside ‘Sam’ Lovering in tending the wicket for the Cadoxton club. As a result, Bancroft was able to earn a lucrative earning as a professional cricketer, supplemented by working alongside his father in tending the Swansea ground as well as repairing the footwear of local sportsmen. At the time, William (junior) was the finest home-grown all-rounder in South Wales, and it was a shame that the winding-up of the Glamorganshire club in 1874 prevented him from regularly playing at county level when he was at his peak with bat and ball. In 1885 he gave a glimpse of what might have been by scoring a fine half-century for the South Wales CC against Worcestershire, whilst later in the season he scored an outstanding 97 against the MCC. By the time Glamorgan CCC had been created, Bancroft’s skills as a batsman were on the wane, but the good name of the family was maintained by his young son Billy, whilst JTD’s sons Willie and Charlie each won selection in the county side and showed that they had benefited greatly from his tutelage. William Bancroft (junior).