Monthly Archives: August 2015

Twenty years of professional rugby union

Posted on August 26, 2015 by

On the 27th August 1895 22 clubs from the north of England ceded from the Rugby Football Union so that they might form a rival professional organisation. Rugby League was born and soon prospered. In spite of this Rugby Union … Continue reading →

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The Greater Game of War

Posted on August 22, 2015 by

A mixture of rain and snow accompanied the team on their journey north for their penultimate game of the 1914 5 Nations Championship. Their destination, Edinburgh, had experienced three weeks of solid rain but, against the odds, blue skies and … Continue reading →

Posted in England, International Players, Lest We Forget | Leave a comment

MATCH REPORT – France v England, 1906

Posted on August 14, 2015 by

France and England contest their 100th international test rugby match in August 2015. John Griffiths here describes the first: FRANCE v ENGLAND 1906 Played at Parc des Princes, Paris, 22 March 1906 England 35-8 France England won their first encounter … Continue reading →

Posted in England, France | 1 Comment

Durham rugby friends die at Gallipoli in August 1915

Posted on August 9, 2015 by

Two teammates and close friends from the rugby fields of Durham School, Rosslyn Park and Oxford died at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli, just days and a few hundred yards apart in August 1915. Nowell Oxland, son of the vicar of Alston, … Continue reading →

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Lest We Forget – Albert ‘Doolan’ Downing (New Zealand) 08/08/1915

Posted on August 8, 2015 by

Sergeant Albert Downing was born in Napier on July 12, 1886. He was educated at the Marist Brothers’ School there, which he left in 1904, and was employed as a clerk successively by the Excelsior Dairy Co., Ltd., Barry Bros., … Continue reading →

Posted in International Players, Lest We Forget, New Zealand | 3 Comments

From Middle Park to Gallipoli

Posted on August 6, 2015 by

On Saturday 8 August, 1914, only four days after Australia had entered the war, East Melbourne played South Melbourne on the Middle Park ground in the final game of the season. While East’s won that game 14-8 their opponents gained … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Clubs, Lest We Forget | Leave a comment