Billy Bancroft

Infobox Rugby biography
name = Billy Bancroft


caption =
birthname = William John Bancroft
nickname = Banky
birthyear = 1871
birthmonth = 3
birthday = 2
placeofbirth = Swansea [ [http://www.wru.co.uk/12750_14256.php?player=25804&includeref=dynamic Welsh Rugby Union player profiles] ] , Wales
deathyear = 1959
deathmonth = 3
deathday = 3
placeofdeath = Swansea, Wales
height = 5ft 5½in
weight = 11st
ru_position = Fullback
ru_amateuryears = 1889–1903
ru_amateurclubs = Swansea RFC
ru_amclubcaps =
ru_amclubpoints =
ru_amupdate =
ru_nationalteam = Wales
ru_nationalyears = 1890–1901
ru_nationalcaps = 33
ru_nationalpoints = (56)
ru_ntupdate =
ru_coachclubs =
ru_coachyears =
ru_coachupdate =
other =
occupation = cobblerSmith (1980), pg 83.]
spouse =
children =
relatives = Jack Bancroft (brother)
school =
university =
url =

Billy Bancroft (1871–1959) was a Welsh international fullback who played club rugby for Swansea and a county cricketer for Glamorgan, becoming their first professional player in 1895.

Bancroft was seen as one of the first true stars of Welsh rugby and played rugby with extreme self-confidence.Thomas (1979), pg 15.] He possessed great speed and was an excellent kicker of the ball,Smith (1980), pg 82.] though some critics felt his defensive play was weak. His brother Jack also played rugby for Wales.

Club career in rugby

Bancroft made his first club appearance for Swansea on October 5, 1889. He would play for Swansea for his entire career and is considered one of the greatest fullbacks to have played for the club. In the fourteen seasons he played with Swansea he was their top points scorer in twelve of them.

International rugby career

Bancroft was first capped on February 1, 1890 against the Scotland as a replacement for the injured Tommy England.Smith (1980), pg 64.] Bancroft would play 33 times for his country, all consecutively, a record that would lay unbroken until Ken Jones did so in 1954. Although Bancroft would only win two out of his first nine Welsh games, he was part of the Wales team that won their first Triple Crown in 1893. The first game of that season saw Wales face England at the Cardiff Arms Park. With little time left to play and Wales losing 9-11, they were awarded a penalty near touch, 30 yards from the England goal line. The Welsh captain, Arthur Gould called Bancroft over and told him to kick (from the ground) for goal. Bancroft insisted on dropping for goal, but Gould forbade it. The two began arguing in front of the home crowd, until in frustration Gould threw the ball to the ground and walked away. Bancroft successfully kicked the drop goal which would win the match for Wales.Thomas (1979), pg 15–16.] This penalty goal although dropped by Bancroft was still awarded as such, and was rugby's first ever penalty goal.

In 1899 in a match against Ireland at Stradey Park, Bancroft would fail to complete an international match for the only time in his career. Due to no barriers around the pitch the crowd were lined up around the touch line. The referee was forced to delay the match for half an hour while police and officials attempted to force the crowd back. During the second half Bancroft attempted another one of his testing runs to tire out the opposition but was caught by, Mick and Jack, Ireland's Ryan brothers,Smith (1980), pg 115.] who tackled Bancroft and dumped him over the touchline and into the crowd. Bancroft landed awkwardly and fractured several ribs, forcing him to retire from the game. [Griffiths, John; 'Rugby's Strangest Matches', Robson Books (1988), pp. 37–39 ISBN18615053541]

After the "Gould Affair", Bancroft was given the captaincy in 1898, and led Wales to their second Triple Crown in 1900.

"International matches played"Smith (1980), pg 463.]
* England 1890, 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, 1896, 1897, 1898, 1899, 1900, 1901
* Ireland 1890, 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, 1896, 1898, 1899, 1900, 1901
* Scotland 1890, 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, 1896, 1899, 1900, 1901

aint Helens ground

Bancroft had very close ties to St Helens Rugby and Cricket Ground, having lived there as a child where his father, and his father before him, were groundskeeper. He played his club rugby at the ground with Swansea and cricket there with Glamorgan. In his later years he too would become St Helen's groundsman. ["The Welsh Academy Encyclopaedia of Wales". John Davies, Nigel Jenkins, Menna Baines and Peredur Lynch (2008) pg47 ISBN 9780708319536] [ [http://www.swansearfc.co.uk/history_browser_view.php?image_id=522 Swansea RFC player profiles] ]

External links

* [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Glamorgan/Articles/7/7674.html Cricket Archive] Player profile of Billy Bancroft
* [http://www.swansearfc.co.uk/history_browser_view.php?image_id=522 Swansea Rugby Football Club] Player profile of Billy Bancroft

Bibliography

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References