St Helen’s ArchivePreserving the past for the future

PH099

Photograph, B&W, mounted and titled. Swansea RFC first fifteen 1899-1900 season. Dimensions: w24 1/4" x h17" (w62cm x h43.5cm).

Photograph

CIC

1899-1900

This is the Swansea RFC first fifteen of 1899-1900, photographed at St Helen's with the pavilion in the background. The captain was Billy Bancroft, the fifth and penultimate season he held the post. Swansea completed a second consecutive season as Welsh Champions in 1899-1900. their record for the season was the best the club had yet achieved: Played: 32, won: 31, drawn: 0, lost: 1, points for: 586, against: 57. Counting District and other matches, Swansea won 33 out of 34 matches played. Despite the departure toward the end of the previous season of the James brothers David and Evan for Broughton Rangers, new rising starts were discovered at half-back. Dick Jones and Dicky Owen were forging a partnership that would strike a rich seam of success for both Swansea and Wales as both teams enjoyed a 'Golden Era'. Only one match was lost in 1899-1900 and that was at Llanelli on 16th December. Swansea were well represented when Wales played England at Gloucester in january 1900 with Billy Bancroft captaining the Welshmen and joined in the team by Swansea four men, each making their international debut: Billy Trew, Dan Rees, George Davies and Bob Thomas. Trew, Davies and thomas joined Bancroft in the Scottish and Irish wins as Wales claimed their second Triple Crown and began a period of domination over the home nations. Personnel in the photograph: Back Row(L to R): Harry Ball (Trainer), F E Perkins (Sec.), A Jones, W Parker, W Joseph, D Harris, J A Smith, F Scrines, Sam Rice (Touch Judge). 2nd Row(L to R): R Thomas, F G Gordon, Dan Rees, W J Bancroft (Captain), G Davies, W J Trew, H Davies. Front Row(L to R): S Bevan, R M Owens, R Jones.

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