1945-1962
In 1945 the home ground was the pitch on Stoke Green with
changing but no washing facilities at the Bowling Green pavilion about 200
yards away. The pitch had an unauthorised natural footpath running through the
middle. On one occasion the game had to be stopped as a young lady pushed her
pram across during the match!
During the 1945/46 season, the 2nd XV became quite firmly established with
regular fixtures, although some were duplicated before all teams became more
established with the conclusion of the war. It was largely made up of younger
members, and so one of the regular fun fixtures was the under 21s versus the
over 21s giving the younger members a chance to compete against the more
established club players.
The Club was now entering its strongest period with new and returning players
and an on-going supply of Old Boys from the JTS. There were still
interruptions for National Service commitments, but with wartime conditions no
longer applying, weekend passes were frequently available for home visits- and
a game!
The club moved to the Memorial Park with changing facilities
to the rear of the Trinity Guild Club in Coat of Arms Bridge road, where it
remained until the present location in Mitchell avenue. Dennis Oswin helped to
improve the fixtures list and the Club held its own with any other junior club
in the area, although they didn't manage to beat Broad Street too many times!
The Lockheed 7s was competed for each year in the 40s and early 50s, with
varying success, the day ending with a dance in their ballroom. In the 50s and
early 60s, away matches included Old West Bridgefordians in Nottinghamshire,
Wolverhampton Tech and the Leicester and Loughborough Universities and
Colleges. The annual trip to London was an all day event. There was a match in
the morning against teams such as Richmond II, Old Citizens and Chiswick.
Lunch was at a Thames-side pub, followed by the match at Twickenham, with an
evening in the West End.
The 1950s saw the first Easter Tours biannually to Cornwall and the
Bournemouth festival with a trip up North in between. The first Truro tour in
1954 was quite memorable, enthusiastically supported with members kitted out
out in club blazers, ties and scarves. The teams did well with wins over Truro
and Penryn 2nds. Unfortunately the tour of 1956 was marred by a coach accident
resulting in a couple of serious injuries to players, such as Bill Ling who
had his damaged spleen removed. On a lighter note, there were tales of card
players being thrown from the bus still clutching their winning hands!
Another highlight of the social calendar was the GEC Hotpot probably the
largest gathering of rugby players in the country, held at the GEC in Stoke,
Coventry. After a hotpot meal in the works canteen, each club had its own
table in the ballroom and after much beer drinking and less speech making, a
competition was held for the rendering of an original song by individual
clubs. The prize was a new rugby ball. Cov Tech managed the runner-up spot one
year with a rugby calypso.
The club made steady progress through the 50s and 60s with the establishment
of a real club house in Mitchell avenue. The club was hit by the demise of the
JTS and the supply of young players as the same contact was not established
with The Woodlands School into which the JTS was absorbed. The 2nd team had a
number of very successful seasons under some inspired captains and the
management of George Dakin. They completed at least one season without a
defeat.