Byron James, a PE and Games Teacher at Westhill Boys School approached Tony Bond who was the School Captain with the idea of starting an Old Boys side to continue the team’s success and stop a talented group of players disbanding once the boys had left the school.

Westhill School were in possession of a very strong school team, with 1 player having had England Trials, 6 players holding representative caps for Somerset, and 4 for the South West.

Old Westhillians first fixture was against an experienced and older Avonvale RFC 2nd XV. The Westhillians Team consisted of 10x 15 year olds, 4x 16 year olds and a 28yr old by the name of Dennis James who had been previously playing for Combe Down.

Team Sheet

Dave Bragg
Dicky Parr
Jake Smith
John Buffrey
Steve Batchellor
Delwyn Aycliffe
Clive Packer
John Peck
Tony Bond
Dennis James
Roy Sullivan
Chris Nott
Cliff Marlow
Les Lakey

Old Westhillians ran out winners 6 pints to nil.

Byron James soon involved his colleague and great friend Fred Leese with the coaching, training and organisation of the team. Every facility at the school was laid on for the boys and with Byron and Fred’s charismatic guidance a very successful team was formed.

Early opposition included Walcot 2nds, Combe Down, Avon, Avonvale 2nds, Oldfield and Stothert and Pitt.

Old Westhillians 3rd season saw them beat a Walcot 2nd XV by 30 points, a defeat that saw their next meeting with Walcot be upgraded to 1st XV match. Westhillians caused a real upset by winning that fixture too!

Old Westhiilians success wasn’t just limited to the 15 a side version of the game, the squad also featured some very talented 7s players. The Bath 7s featured local clubs, and sides from the local Army and RAF bases, with c.20 teams competing over 7 nights. Old Westhillians won the Colts cup in MM.YY, and the Combination 7s tournament in 1968.

Westhills early years were highly nomadic with early members gathering at the school gym, Jubilee Inn, Trowbridge House and Englishcombe Inn. Early fixtures were played at Whiteway Circle Sports Ground and when not flooded the Westhills School pitches.