St Helen’s ArchivePreserving the past for the future
Nine
Transcript:
This is the ninth part in the audio trail on David ‘Dai’ Samuel.
This object is a photograph of the 1893 Welsh international team, the previous part in this trail having provided detail on the game played versus Ireland. Like most other objects in this trail, a reproduction of this photograph is on display at St Helen’s. It depicts players from Swansea, Newport, Cardiff and Llanelli, who made up the Welsh team. 20,000 spectators crammed in to watch the 2 points to nil victory by the home side, as the eight home forwards held back the Irish nine.
Wales’ try, the only score of the match, was made by Newport’s Arthur Gould – one of the most famous names in early Welsh rugby history.
This was Dai Samuel’s last international. He and his brother Jack also continued to play for Swansea during this 1892-93 season. Now captained by Charlie Coke who had persuaded the brother’s to return to St Helen’s, the results were unfortunately mixed - 17 wins from 32 matches. Jack and Dai played in 16 and 19 games respectively, The only season where Dai’ made more appearances for the All Whites than his brother. Commenting on the brother’s play, the Cambrian newspaper commented: ”Frank Mills and the Bros. Samuel were again to the fore; their tackling, following up, and dribbling was brilliant, and in the line-out they were ubiquitous.”
Even towards the end of their careers, both brothers saw compliments fly for their play even if the successes of their earliest seasons were behind them.
The penultimate part of this audio trail follows the brothers into their appearances for the county side. This new innovation, begun in the 1890’s, struggled initially to catch the public’s imagination. It did however gain in popularity to the extent that touring teams to Wales included the county sides in their fixtures.
However, both Samuel’s had the distinction of playing in the first ever county match to be played in Wales. More on this in the next part. Please don’t forget to click next.