March 2010

One from the RMS archives this month, the first edition of Touchlines, created by Dave Fox. This edition was created in March 1996, with the very rare France v New Zealand programme 1924 on the cover ( .. a few years ago they only copy I have seen, sold at auction for approx ~ £2000).

Amongst other articles this edition contained a copy of the Cornwall v SA 1912 programme, and JC Rich All Blacks Souvenir .. this rare item was claimed to be worth in excess of £20 ! ..

I often think about where I would go if I had a time travelling capsule, maybe to see the Pyramids being built ? .. or perhaps the to stand on the decks of HMS Victory in full battle ??... NO ... Phillips auctions house Cardiff circa early 1990's :)

February 2010

This programe covers the 1930 Lions tour match against Otago. This game was played on the Saturday prior to the first Test, and 17000 watched a full strength Lions team take on an Otago team at Carisbrook. In their best performance to date the Lions were victors 33 -9. Reeve the powerful Harlequins wing scored 3 tries and Ivor Jones a pair.

January 2010

A menu from the game between France and Wales in 1967. A fantastic performance from French fly half Guy Camberabero provided a 20-24 vctory for the French. The fly half scoring a try, conversion, a penalty and two drop goals. It would be the first time Wales had lost 4 games on the trot since 1924. However it was the game Gareth Edwards made his debut and the last game Terry Price ( missed six from nice goal attempts) played for Wales before moving North to join Bradford Northern for £10,000 .. something on his mind no doubt ! ....

December 2009

As we finish the Autumn international series in the UK, where a SA tour to the UK has included 2 club games ! ...we think back to days of yore. In 1963 New Zealand toured Britain, France, Ireland and Canada and played 36 games. Wining an incredible 34, losing one and drawing one game. The tour started against Oxford University on the 23rd October and finished in British Columbia on February the 24th. Their only loss was against Newport in 1963 3-0 (those of you who were lucky enough to attend the AGM a few years ago would have heard Brain Price talk about the ferocity of this game) ... they game they drew ? .... Scotland in an epic 0-0. It was common place for the tourists to have a tour Christmas card, an occasional find at an auction if your lucky.

November 2009

As we approach the 40th anniversary of this game, here we have the programe from the famous victory by Newport over the 1969 Springboks. This was the first defeat of a SA team in Wales since 1912 at Swansea. Newport had only one capped player Billy Reybould and Keith Jarrett had left for league two months earlier. As club they had their worse season since 1938-39 and were seen as clear underdogs. A large police presence kept order as anti-apartheid demonstrators tried to interrupt the game, however 22,000 supporters saw Newport run out 11- 6 victors. Later in the tour there would be 77 arrested and 200 hurt at Swansea and a famous victory by Gwent at EbbwVale.

October 2009

A postcard showing the Wales team that played England in the championship in 1914. Wales lost by a point 9-10 and England went on to win a Grand Slam in the last championship prior to WW1. The centre of the card shows the Welsh captain Rev Alban Davies (Llanelli, Swansea, Cardiff, London Welsh and Oxford university), who led the pack known as the "Terrible Eight". He later served as a chaplain in the Royal Field Artillery, he died in Los Angeles in 1976.

September 2009

A programme from the 1950 British Lions tour to NZ. After a period of heavy rain the Lions beat the West Coast team 32 points to 3. After repeated attacks, spearheaded by the legendary Jack Kyle, both teams ended with 14 men. West Coast loosing Breeze early in the game and Henderson for the Lions after the recurrence of a knee injury. The local captain after the game said that he had prayed for rain "but rain or no rain, they were too goog for us today" he stated after the game.

August 2009

In a month where we have seen the loss of the final British men who survived Word War 1, the following programme celebrates Lieut-Col Edgar R. Mobbs DSO who fell at Paasschendaele in 1917. Mobbs started his first class career with Northampton in 1905, and successfully captained the Midlands against the visiting Australians in 1908.

He later represented England against the touring Wallabies, but despite scoring England's only try was on the loosing side, 9-3. Despite being officially being to old to serve in WW1, Mobbs set up his own battalion of 264 men, and were known as the Mobbs Sportsman's Battalion. He was wounded 3 times, but finally fell in the third battle of Ypres 1917 after attacking a machine gun post, his body was never found.

This was the first game to celebrate Mobbs life and contribution to rugby (BB's won 19-14), the memorial game is still played today against a Bedford team.

http://therugbyhistorysociety.co.uk/mobbs.html

July 2009

The very rare 4th test programme from the British Lions tour to NZ and Australia 1930. At this stage of the tour the Lions had a number of injury problems and the New Zeland team had started to gel and gain ascendency. The game was played in Wellington in front of a crowd in excess of 40,000 people. The Lions included Bassett, Reeve, Bowcott, Aarvold and Ivor Jones among its team, the All Blacks containing the legendary Nepia and Porter. The power of the All Black forwards ensured a 22 - 8 victory. Despite the size of the crowd the programme is rarely seen, and comes in a number of different variants.

June 2009

Menu from the New Zealand v Neath and Aberavon game 1935. Neath at the time were the previous seasons top club in Wales and were expected to give the All Blacks a stern challenge. However the team was less than sum of its parts, and despite plenty of possession the visitors won 13-3. The match its self was an ugly affair with constant fighting and a strongly partisan crowd. The following Saturday New Zealand would play Wales....

May 2009

Rare programme from the first official French overseas tour - Argentina 1949. A party of 23 players played nine games, including two official tests. France won all the tour games and won both tests 5-0 and 12-3. Yves Bergougnan the tall and talented scrum half made the last of this 17 tests for France in the final game.

April 2009

On the return journey to the UK, the Lions stopped off in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) to play the final tour match of the 1950 Lions tour of New Zealand and Australia. The game was played at the Racecourse in Colombo, the local team comprised of executive staff from British companies, British armed forces and three local players. The Lions won 44-6

The image is from the very rare programme between Ceylon and the Lions ....

March 2009

This programe is from the game played at Gosforth between NSW and the Northumberland and Durham selection. The 1927 NSW tour was later given full cap status by the ARU.

In front of a crowd of 12,000 NSW bea tthe home team 14 -9

January/February 2009

Australia 2008 rugby tour to the UK.

Click on image ....

December 2008

A rare menu for the game played between France and Wales in 1913 at Parc des Princess. A try in the closing minutes by Clem Lewis gave Wales a victory, however its claimed the ref played 17 mins of extra time ... perhaps Alan Lewis's grandfather ? ...The game marked the end of the career of Billy Trew who tore a groin, and after 29 caps never played again. The game was played with a ring of police, due to a riot after the Scotland game earlier that season, Scotland refused to play France in the following seasons championship. Wales won the game 11-8

The game also included Geo Andre (1T) on the wing for France, who would represent his country in the 1908 and 1924 Olympics. He was became a first world war fighter ace, and volunteered for action in WWII, sadly he was shot down over North Africa in May 1943, aged 54.

November 2008

A early ticket for an Ireland v England game 1899. Louis Magee led Ireland to a triple crown, forming a partnership with halfback Allen. Magee landing a penalty and Allen scored a try, Ireland won the game 6-0. George Harman played in this Irish side, possibly the longest lived international, he was a doctor and died in Totnes, Devon in 1975 aged 101.

October 2008

The game needs no introduction ... "the game" ... the official menu from the 1905 Wales v NZ game. Enough said really, the programme is rare, the menu is off the scale ... enjoy !

September 2008

A postcard image of the 1908 Australian team while in Cardiff, enjoying the weather. The first time many had wintnessed snow before. The field was cleared for a 2:45 pm kick off, however the surface was a patchwork of straw and burnt offerings. With Percy Bush leading from outside half, even challenging the Australian War Cry by advancing with a Zulu shield and spear, a formidable Cardiff team were 24-8 victors. In the second half Burge for Australia was sent off for landing a knee in the groin of Westacott, which unsettled the visitors, its not clear on the long term effect on Westcacott. After the game the players dined at the Queens Hotel and spent the evening at the New Theatre, watching Cinderella ... perhaps a panto visit is on the cards for the 2008 Australian visitors ? ..

August 2008

Rare programme from the 1st Test between Argentina and France in 1960. France toured Romania and Argentina (where they played 3 Tests, 12 games in total), the game against Romania was lost 5-11, however the subsequent games against Argentina were all won. This game was played on 23rd July in Buenos Aries, France wining 37-3. Pierre Dizabo played flyhalf for France after being first capped in 1948, his career having been interrupted by illness.

July 2008

Baines cards, were produced by John Baines of Bradford and first printed in 1887. They were sold in packets of six, and children were encouraged to collect the cards and then swap for items of sporting equipment. The production of the cards peaked in the 1920's when 13.5 million cards were produced covering the full spectrum of sport in the UK. The reverse of the cards was used to publish letters from children thanking Baines for the delivery of sporting equipment, or requesting that children sent a letter or reason with their cards to compete for prizes. There are 1000's of different designs, for more information, follow the link's below.

http://ldcauctions.com/Baines.html

http://rugby-pioneers.blogs.com/rugby/2007/11/mapping-rugby-b.html

June 2008

Wales v England 1967

On April 8th 1967 a tall 18 year old, four months out of school played his first game at full back for Newport. His selection was at the request of the Welsh selectors who were desperate after four defeats in the Five Nations. His deubt was a disaster, he was switched to centre at half time. However one week later he was picked to play for Wales at full back, in what would become the most mecurial debut in world rugby. Keith Jarrett scored a try ...(and what a try, voted recently the 7th best by welsh rugby fans to have ever been scored by Wales .. see you tube link below), five convertions and two penaties. Wales won 34-21. This was the last game Keith played at this level at full back ! .. reverting to centre to gain a total of 10 caps.

Keith later went on the 1968 lions tour, but only featured in 5 games. He played for Wales on the tour to NZ and Australia in 1969, and on his return played two further games for Newport; before turning professional with Barrow for a fee of £12,000. He later moved to Wigan, however weeks after his transfer Keith suffered a serious brain haemorrhage and had to retire from the game.

We are very pleased to announce that Keith will be the guest speaker at the AGM in Newport this year,

May 2008

Australia v South Africa 1956

Under the management of Dr D.Craven, 32 players took part in a 29 match tour of Australia and New Zealand. The programme is from the first test, played in Sydney. South Africa deafeating the Australians by 0-9. Cyril Burke played his last game for Australia in this game, after being capped 26 times.

April 2008

Australia v England 1963

England were not at full strength, despite being 5 nations champions. The side was captained by Mike Weston (29 England caps and 6 British Lions caps 62/66), who were the first home nation to tour down under. Having lost two tests in NZ, England flew to a waterlogged Sydney. They were down by 12 points by half time, but staged a second half come back to score 3 tries. However Australia stood firm and won the game 19-8, their first victory over England since 1948.

March 2008

1910 Wales v France Programme

As we approach the climax of the 2008 6N championship, Wales play France to decide who wins the championship/Grand Slam. Wales won their firrst Grand Slam in 1908, the first year France had participated in the competition. Two years later in this encounter, Wales won by a huge 49-14 margin. Jack Bancroft created a match record, by scoring 19 of the points on the day.

February 2008

1947 Australian Tour to UK and Ireland

Australia were the first official touring visitors to the UK and Ireland after the Second World War. They arrived to a country still reeling from the effects of the war, with rationing and bomb damage still very much part of every day life. On August 27th the tourists arrived in Penzance where they stayed for three weeks. During this time the team practiced and attended several social events including boxing, cricket and bowls, culminating in a game against Cornwall and Devon on the 13th September which the visitors won 17-7.

During their stay in Penzance, the visitors met up with the Swansea team, who were on tour in the area. Both teams decided to train together one afternoon, which also led to the mysterious escape of a live baby wallaby which was brought as a mascot. This episode ended with 60 players chasing the creature through the streets and gardens of Penzance before its capture.

Below is a menu of a dinner given in Penzance for the team and souvenir of their stay, the later being signed by the touring party.

January 2008

1908 Austalian Rugby Shirt

In 1908/09 an Australian team toured Great Britain and France under the auspices of the NSWRU. Accordingly, as a NSWRU representative team, the Wallabies wore the NSW sky blue jersey with a waratah badge. During the first tour the United Kingdom and America, the Wallabies won 32 of the 38 matches played. While in England, they competed in the 1908 London Olympics of 1908, winning the gold medal for Rugby Union. The Australians defeated Cornwall in the final, who were representing England. When the team returned home, eleven members of its members were enticed by the money offered to join the newly formed Rugby League.

December 2007

Programme for France v Wales 1947

A very rare copy of the France v Wales programme from 1947. This was the first meeting of both teams since 1931, Bill Tamplin kicking a penalty just before half time to give Wales a 3-0 victory. Cliff Davies the Welsh prop had his finger bitten to the bone in what was a tough encounter. The game is remembered by Wales forward George Parsons being told to get off the train en route after the selectors had heard rumours that he had been negotiating with rugby league scouts, Parsons pleaded his innocence. Parsons was to play for Abertillery and Cross Keys against the visiting Australians in 1947 before joining RL club St Helens in eary 1948. parsons went on to play 12 times for the Wales RL team.

November 2007

Serviette for the Ireland v Wales game 1905

A rare serviette from the game between Ireland and Wales, played in 1905 in Swansea. In what was a Triple Crown victory for Wales, running out victors 10 points to 3. In what was said to be a hard sporting match played against a strong wind, Windham Jones scored a try on his first and last appearance, and Teddy Morgan the second. Jones later donated his cap to Mountain Ash rugby club .. Can anyone confirm its still there?

The majority of the Welsh team would play against the visiting 1905 NZ team ..

October 2007

East Africa v Wales 1964

The Welsh team were victors in their first ever tour game 6 - 17, not surprising given the limited experience of the East Africa team. Although East Africa had had welcomed the 1962 Lions with Welshmen Haydn Morgan, Alun Pask and Ken Jones playing in this game. Welsh captain Clive Rowlands, dictated the patterns of play and orchestrated many of the fine Welsh moves. The Welsh tries were great efforts especially Dewi Bebb's who snatched a chance from a lineout three yards from the line and dived over before the opposition could lay a finger on him.

The East African team fought valiantly and often caused the visitors defence problems with strong surging runs, their star player was Eric Weaver a Welshman serving in Nairobi with the RAF, he had previously played professional football with Swindon town.

September 2007

Fully signed Auckland v British Lions Programme - 1930

This belongs to member Chris Price (Chris2000Price@aol.com), and was bought a few years ago on Ebay from a seller in the US, who had found it in a jumble/garage sale in New Hampshire ! ... Auckland won the game : Lions 6 Auckland 19

Chris is looking still looking for the following: 1950: New South Wales Combined Country; 1955: Boland, East African XV, Junior Springboks, North East Districts, Orange Free State, South West Africa and South West Districts;1959: NSW Country; 1962: Boland and Orange Free State.....

August 2007

Paris Olympics - Rugby postcard 1924

|Three teams entered the Olympic Rugby Competition - France, USA and Romania. Each country played two games. Both France and USA beat Romania, who were awarded the bronze medal. France won 59-3, scoring 13 tries including four by the fine Stade Francais winger Adolphe Jaureguy. The USA then defeated Romania 39-0. The final was played at Colombes stadium, Paris on 18 May 1924 and the USA took the gold with a 17-3 victory before 30,000. The Americans, from Stanford University, scored five tries, (Farrish(2), Patrick, Rogers and Manelli), with a conversion by Doe. Gallau scored the lone French try. The match finished in uproar, when Gideon Nelson, one of the reserves, was flattened by a walking stick. The American anthem was jeered, and rugby ceased at the Olympics, the USA remain olympic rugby champions.

Lancashire vs Australia 1908

A programme from the first Australia tour to the UK. In what was a very competitive game, both teams has periods of dominance. Several chances were missed by the home team, even being held up after crossing the visitors line. The visitors led 6-0 at half time after a try by "Boxer" Russell. In the second half Carmichael appeared to touch the ball down behind his posts only for the Lancashire wing Bryning to beat him to the ball to score, this was followed by another for the home team after a dribble and rush sending Gallagher over the line. The Scores were locked 6-6, however the visitors started to dominate and McCabe scored a fine side stepping solo try, in the final quarter MCCabe scored his second to give Australia a hard earned 12-6 victory. Perhaps the spine chilling tour "war Cry" had given them the edge "Hello ! Hello !; You are great men; We are glad; Let us meet each other; Come Come let us try ! "

June 2007

Richard "The Enforcer" Loe's All Black shirt from 1992 test vs Australia

In what was one of the great front rows, Loe had switched to loose head, with Olo Brown and Sean Fitzpatrick forming a formidable front three. These shirts are unusual in that they carry "100 NZRFU 1892-1992" as well as the Silver Fern, to signify the centenary year of NZ rugby. The game, and especially Loe's involvement became notorious for an act of thuggery, when wing Carozza crossed for his second try, Loe dropped his forearm into his face breaking his nose. No action was taken during the game, but relations between Australia and NZ slumped. Australia regained the Bledisloe cup after winning 19-17. The NZ press headlines read "Loe hits Carozza on the snozza" .. Later that season Loe was suspended for 6 months for an eye gouging incident ..!! ..

May 2007

Wales v Scotland 1909 menu

Menu for the game played in Swansea on February 1st 1908. In what was a Grand Slam season for Wales, they just beat their Scottish visitors 6 (2 tries) to 5 (one goal). In what was a tense game, Scotland crossed the Welsh line in the last few minutes only for the try to be disallowed (similar to the Deans incident in the NZ 1905 game) the player had brought the ball down short and wriggled over the line. The Welsh team contained legends such as Winfield, Gabe, Trew, Gibbs, Bush, Travers and Harding. The menu started with oysters, mock turtle soup, turbot and sole, haggis, sweetbreads, beef, welsh mutton, turkey and ham, pheasants, fruit tart, mince pies, wine jelly, cheese and coffee .. a feast indeed !!

April 2007

Vancouver v New Zealand 1925

Rare programme of the match played on the return journey of the 1924 All "Invincibles" Blacks. Having moved on from the UK, the Invincibles played two test against France before moving onto Canada. There they played three games Vancouver, Victoria and an exhibition game. The Invincibles contained Nepia at full back, amazingly he played 30 games on this tour. The team also contained ACC Robilliard who had the misfortune to break his foot in the only the second game on the UK leg of the tour, he made up lost time by scoring 4 tries in this game. The final score being 49-0 to the All Blacks. The game was played in front of 9000 spectators, its stated that the Vancouver team played gamely to the end, but could not cope with with the All Blacks inter passing and back up play ...Some things never change ...

March 2007 :

DHD Davies Cap

Welsh cap presented to David H Davies, who played one game Wales v Scotland 1904 a game won 21-3. Davies captained Neath RFC in 1902/1903 where he took the unprecedented step of making a public apology to the crowd for his teams home defeat by Swansea that season. Davies went on to serve the WRU, where in 1927 he arranged for a Welsh XV to play Cross Keys in to raise funds for the locality, hit hard by the general strike. Wales sent a nearly full team, however they lost 13-3 !! ... does anyone have a copy of the programme or ticket ? ..

This item can be viewed at the RFU museum, Twickenham - Make a visit on your next game, or make an afternoon of it ...