St Helen’s ArchivePreserving the past for the future

PH065

Photograph, B&W, mounted and titled. Swansea RFC first fifteen 1898-1899 season. Dimensions: w18" x h14" (w45.5cm x h35.5cm)

Photograph

CIC

1898-1899

The Swansea RFC first fifteen in the 1898-1899 season. Champion side of Wales. This is an image taken late in the season as the half-back pairing of David and Evan James are replaced by the new pair of Dckie Owen and Dick Jones, newly promoted from the second fifteen. The James brothers left in February 1899 for Broughton Rangers and became profesionals by WFU and RFU laws. Swansea ended the season as Champions of Wales but were close to an 'Invincible' season but for the temporary disruption the exit of the James' caused. However, Swansea maintained their Premier position in Wales for the next three consecutive seasons, the partnership of Owen and Jones proving even more effective than that of the James Brothers had in the 1890s. This image also gives a rare sight, if partly obscured, of the old grandstand at St Helen's, enlarged back in 1891. P: 35, W: 29, D: 2, L: 4, Pts for: 732, ag: 47. Back Row (L to R): S Rice (linesman), J A Smith, W Joseph, D Harris, H Davies, W J Parker, Harry Ball (trainer). 2nd Row (L to R): F J Gordon, D Rees, G Davies, W J Bancroft (captain), W J Trew, F Scrine, R Thomas. Front Row (L to R): R M Owen, P Lockman, R Jones, A Jones.

photograph, swansea, fist fifteen, 1989-1899, champions, S Rice, J A Smith, W Joseph, D Harris, H Davies, W J Parker, Harry Ball, F J Gordon, D Rees, G Davies, W J Bancroft, W J Trew, F Scrine, R Thomas, R M Owen, P Lockman, R Jones, A Jones,