St Helen’s ArchivePreserving the past for the future

PH270

Photograph

Phil Grant

Phil Grant

1898-1899

Photograph, B&W, mounted and titled. England team v Wales at St Helen's 7th January 1899. Photographer H.A. Chapman, High Street, Swansea. Dimensions: w25" x h1" (w63.5cm x h48.26cm)

This photograph by the famous photographic artist Henry Arthur Chapman of High Street, Swansea, depicts the England rugby team before their match with Wales at St Helen's on Saturday 7th January 1899. It was a momentous occasion and a significant one for Welsh rugby. It was also the first time St Helen's had hosted the England team since 1895. Unfortunately for the players in this image, it was to be a hard day for English rugby. Wales emerged winners by 26 points to 3. The Welsh wings had a field day with debutant Willie Llewellyn (Llwynypia) scoring four times. Cardiff's Viv Hussey grabbed the other two. Northumberland wing George Robinson got a consolation try for England. The defeat would have been greater for England but for the famed tackling of their full-back Herbert Gamlin, known as "The Octopus" for his all-enveloping tackles. The Swansea brothers David and Evan James gave wonderful performances at half-back and at times did almost as they pleased. It was their first Welsh match since 1892, having been reinstated after accusations of professionalism that year. Although Welsh supporters were delighted to have the "curly-haired marmosets" back in the fold, the RFU had agreed reluctantly to their reinstatement and some of the English players resented their presence. The England captain Arthur Rotherham, seen here in the centre of the photograph, refused to shake hands with the brothers either before or after the match. Personnel: Back Row (L to R): J Davidson (Cumberland), C Harper (Barnstaple), P Boyds, Blackheath), H T Gamlin (Somerset), G Gibson (Northumberland), G Robinson (Northumberland). Middle Row (L to R): J Daniell (Cambridge), R Forrest (Marlborough Nomads), P Stout (Gloucester), A Rotherham (capt. Richmond), H W Dudyon (Richmond), F Jacob (Richmond), R F Oakes (Durham). Front Row (L to R): W Mortimer (Marlborough Nomads), R O H Livesey (Blackheath).