Cricket Witness No 5 - Whites on Green

37 Local rivalries But the embarrassment caused by the late cancellation of the match against the Canadians was only a minor blip for a sporting Club that was really on the up. During the summer months, the nets were full on most weekday evenings as the young men and boys practised their skills under the watchful eye of the Bancrofts, whilst on the half days, the field staged two matches side-by-side as junior teams from the locality used the splendid facilities. The football section was also going from strength to strength having been founded during 1872. Having initially played under association rules, an informal meeting at the Tenby Hotel in mid-October 1874, saw a group of key figures propose a switch to rugby union. Five days later, the Club officials rubber-stamped the proposals and soon afterwards the first game was staged at Bryn-y-Mor, with several of the leading cricketers also showing talent at the oval-ball game, including Fred Meager and Charlie Chambers. Above and Below: Rugby at St. Helen’s in 1902 and 1903.