St Helen’s ArchivePreserving the past for the future

PH045

Photograph

CIC

Swansea RFC Memorabilia Community Interest Company

1890-1891

Photograph, B&W, mounted. Swansea RFC first fifteen 1890-1891 season. Photograph by H A Chapman High Street, Swansea. Dimensions: w18" x h14" (w45.5cmc x h38cm)

Swansea RFC first fifteen in the 1890-1891 season. P: 29, W: 26, D: 1, L: 2, Pts for: 419, ag: 71. Honours: Premier Team of Wales. This is a photograph of the Swansea RFC first fifteen taken at the end of the 1890-91 season, when they were crowned Welsh Chamion Club, or "Premier Team of Wales" in the parlance of the day. The photograph, taken by Mr Henry Chapman of High Street, Swansea, was also reproduced in the 16th May edition of the Herald of Wales newspaper. The high interest in the Swansea team stemmed from the fact that they had achieved 'back to back' Premier titles, having retained that won in 1889-90. This was the second of three consecutive seasons under the captaincy of forward Billy Bowen. Bowen won the last of his 13 Welsh caps in 1891, captaining Wales against England. Also in the photograph are Welsh caps Dai and Jack Samuel, Tom Williams, Tom Deacon, Billy Bancroft and the famous half-back pairing, the brothers Davis and Evan James, who would in October 1892 be suspended for professionalism. Back Row (L to R): E Charles, D Samuel, Tom Williams, T Deacon, Jack Samuel, E Copus (official). 2nd Row (L to R): Charlie Coke, W Williams, W Bowen (captain), W J Bancroft, Harry Bevan, Ted Thorogood. Front Row (L to R): Arthur Whapham, Evan James, Jack Davies, David James.

photograph, swansea, first fifteen, 1890-1891, h a chapman, premier team, E Charles, D samuel, Tom Williams, T Deacon, Jack Samuel, E Copus, Charlie Coke, W Williams, W Bowen, W J Bancroft, Harry Bevan, Ted Thorogood, Arthur Whapham, Evan James, Jack Davies, David James,