Bob Gould was a member of a rugby-playing dynasty from Newport with his younger brother Arthur being the first superstar of Welsh rugby. Their father Joseph, a gas-fitter who had been born in Oxford, also captained Newport CC from 1874 to 1880 so it was no surprise that Bob also appeared for the South Wales Cricket Club in June 1886.
The hard-hitting batter and fast bowler had a decent record for Newport CC and appeared for the Club in their Trial Match against the Next XVIII at Rodney Parade, scoring 11 and 0 in what roved to be his only appearance for the Club. His first major cricket match had been as an eighteen year-old when he played for a XXII of Newport against the United England Eleven at Rodney Parade, where he scored 0 and 4 and was bowled in each innings by WG Grace. Bob also appeared twice for Monmouthshire against Breconshire, who both games taking place at Rodney Parade. In the first in 1884 he scored 21 and 12, but did not fare as well the following summer when he was dismissed without scoring.
Bob also won eleven rugby caps for Wales between 1881/82 and 1886/87, playing as a forward who according to contemporaries was immensely strong and as hard as nails. He also captained Newport RFC in 1886/87 and led Wales against Scotland in 1887, besides serving on the International Rugby Board in 1892. Bob also played rugby for London Welsh and Richmond.
He was a civil engineer by profession, but following his own sporting prowess, as well as that of his brother Arthur, he became a brewery representative. All of his other brothers – Harry, Bert, Gus and Wyatt – also played rugby and cricket for Newport.
GOULD, Robert (Bob)
Born – Newport, 25 February 1863.
Died – Nice, France, 29 December 1931.