St Helen’s ArchivePreserving the past for the future

PH239

Photograph

CIC

Martyn Thomas

1907-1908

Photograph B&W, mounted on card, Photographer H.A. Chapman, High Street, Swansea. Dick Jones. 1907-08 season. Top right and lower left and right sections of card are missing. Tear left to right across lower portion of photograph. Dimensions: w8" x 10" (10cm x 14.71cm). Unmounted Dimensions: w4" x h5 3/4" (w10cm x h14.71cm).

This portrait of Richard Hughes 'Dick' Jones was one of a set made at the end of the 1907-08 season when Swansea RFC were Welsh Champions for the first time since their 'Invincible' season of 1904-05. Each member of the Swansea 1st XV was presented with a blazer and cap. A collage photograph of the team composed of these individual portraits was also made (see: PH076, PH089 & PH097). During this season Swansea played 32 matches, winning28, losing 3 and drawing 1. Bill Trew was the captain. Dick Jones played at outside-half for Swansea, partnering Dicky Owen. They entered Swansea's 1st XV the same season (1898-99) and won their first Welsh caps together in Wales' win over Ireland in 1901. Jones was capped 15 times for Wales, with Dicky Owen as his half-back partner in each case. He would probably have had more caps (Owen achieved 35), had he not suffered a serious foot injury (broken instep) part way through Swansea's 'Invincible' season of 1904-05. he did not play from January 1905 until November 1907, when he resumed his partnership with Owen for Swansea and Wales. Making his club debut in 1897-98, Dick Jones played 282 matches for Swansea's 1st XV between 1898-99 and 1910-11, when he retired from the game. He played in the club's win over Australia in December 1908. He was Vice-captain of the 1st XV to Billy Trew in 1909-10. Jones was an instinctive player and had an almost telepathic partnership with Dicky Owen, which gave them a huge advantage over opposition's defences. He was master of the feint movement and he and Owen constantly devised new strategies for attack. Jones' swerving runs and intelligent kicking marked him out as one of the first complete outside-halves in the game. jones' ability to open up defences was well rewarded with him enjoying Five Welsh Championship titles with Swansea and three Triple Crowns (1902, 1908 & 1909) and two Grand Slams (1908 & 1909). Dick Jones also played for the Trinity (Swansea) club and Glamorgan county FC. this image of Dick Jones was presented to the St Helen's Archive by Martyn Thomas, whose grandfather Jonny Thomas was a contemporary and friend of Dick Jones. Thomas played for Cardiff RFC (1907-08-1912-13) and was a cousin of Dick Jones.

1907-1908, 1907-08, dick jones, r.h. jones,