Tag Archives: rugby

Scotland to Canada: the spread of Sevens

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By tournament:

1930 Victoria Sevens [Probably cancelled]
1930 Vancouver Rugby Union Sevens [Date mid April]
1931 Montreal Amateur Athletic Association Sevens [Date unknown, though before 24 September 1931]
1953 Spray Sevens, Vancouver [Date unknown]

The list may be subject to change if more rugby union sevens tournaments are discovered.

Victoria Sevens of 1930

The ‘History of the Melrose Sevens’ author Walter Allan states that Victoria had a Sevens tournament in 1930. I could not find any evidence of this; and contacted Doug Sturrock, the Canadian rugby union history expert, to see if this could be clarified. Doug stated: [his text is coloured orange throughout this post]

The sevens tournament planned for Victoria in 1930 may not have taken place because I had read many rugby articles in the Victoria Colonist in the pre- and post- 1930 period.

Vancouver Rugby Union Sevens of 1930

From Doug Sturrock:

I did find that in Vancouver the Vancouver Rugby Union had its first Sevens tournament in mid-April and held it every year about that time until 1938.

Montreal Sevens of 1931

We are on somewhat firmer ground with the Montreal Sevens of 1931, however we are no firmer on the date.

This evidence is due to W. Hastie Cochrane – a Galashiels man then resident in Canada – and his attempts to get rugby union Sevens into the Olympic Games of 1932. [See the post on Olympic try-outs.]

Cochrane’s Olympic attempts made it back to Scotland and were detailed in the Hawick Express newspaper of 24 September 1931.

The Express writes:

Mr. Cochrane’s idea was to get Sevens from Scotland, England, Ireland and France to compete at a tournament at the Games. He says that seven-a-side rugby was recently exploited with success by a athletic association at Montreal and that there is a chance of it being introduced in the States.

Spray Sevens

Doug Sturrock has this on the Spray Sevens:

Robert Spray, who emigrated from England to Vancouver after WWII, started the Spray Sevens in 1953. He was a referee who was the BC Rugby Union president from 1952-1958 and the first president of the revived Canadian Rugby Union (now Rugby Canada) from 1965-1972. The Spray Sevens is still being played.

The Walter Allan statement: ” … and in 1975 the Vancouver Club decided to host a Middlesex tournament.” is incorrect. It was the Spray Sevens. I played in it and we beat Bedford “B” in the first round before losing to UBC. Bedford “A” were the winners thanks to captain Budge Rogers.

Subsequently, other trophies were awarded to Sevens winners in Vancouver: Charlie Foster Shield and Nelles Stacy Shield for a 2nd division or consolation winners.

Doug Sturrock also very kindly supplied this list of Spray Sevens winners:-

1956 Kats
1957 Ex-Britannia
1958 Kats
1959 Vancouver Rowing Club
1960 Vancouver Rowing Club
1961 Meralomas
1962 Meralomas
1963 Vancouver Rowing Club
1964 Kats
1965 UBC
1966 UBC
1967 Georgians
1968 Georgians
1969 Georgians
1970 Georgians
1971 Trojans
1972 UBC
1973 Ex-Britannia
1974 UBC
1975 Bedford (England) OT over UBC Old Boys
1976 Georgians
1977 UBC Old Boys
1978
1979 Meralomas

Montreal Sevens

Montreal had another Sevens tournament in 1956.

Seven-a-side rugby in Quebec started in Montreal in 1956 when Toronto Scottish won it this year and for the next two.
In 1960 the winner was Town of Mount Royal. In 1963 it was at St. Chrysostome in May when Anti-Assassins B defeated Toronto Scottish, in 1966 it was St. Chrysostome in May when UBC Thunderbirds won, in 1968 it was at St. Chrysostome in May when Bective Rangers (Ireland) defeated Meralomas (Vancouver), in 1973 it was on May 19 and in 1978 it was in Montreal on May 20.
Other past winners included : Solihull (England), Toronto Scottish and Combined Services (England).

Other Sevens tournaments

A number of other Sevens tournaments sprang up in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.

The Ontario Sevens (1953) and Quebec Sevens (1955 or 1956) were very popular for many years. Halifax (Nova Scotia) had its first Sevens in 1970 and Calgary and Edmonton had their first Sevens in the early 1960s.

There was also the Westmount Sevens in 1959 and the St. Lawrence Sevens at St. Chrysostome on October 10, 1965 won by Montreal Barbarians II.
Sevens for schools started in Montreal (Quebec) and Oshawa (Ontario) in 1964.

After the 1970s, other Sevens tournaments began to be organised:- such as the very popular Bellingham Sevens [Washington, USA]; the Whistler Sevens; the Cowichan Sevens; the SFU Sevens; and the Burnaby Sevens.

As you can see, the majority of this post has been aided by the extremely valuable input from Doug Sturrock, the authority on the history of Canadian rugby union, who graciously also gave me permission to publish his research on this site in correspondence. I am indebted and very thankful for his help.

Doug Sturrock’s book: “It’s a Try! The History of Rugby in Canada.” is over a 1000 pages long and was published in 2017. You can order the book at https://www.rugbyhistorycanada.ca/

Scotland to Russia: the spread of Sevens

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By tournament:

2005 European Sevens Grand Prix (Moscow)
2013 Moscow Sevens [28 June]

The list may be subject to change if more rugby union sevens tournaments are discovered.

Introduction to rugby union

William Hopper of Penicuik, Midlothian – and his family – is to thank for introducing the sports of both rugby union and football to Russia. Of the two sports, Rugby Union was introduced first.

Hopper was born on 22 June 1816. He emigrated from Scotland to Russia and opened a machine tool factory in Moscow in 1847.

He was part of a huge wave of Scottish industralists operating in Russia around this time, most notable were:- the McGills – cotton growers and textile producers – Robert (1805-87) and David McGill (1790-1863) from Glasgow; Andrew Muir (1817-1899) from Greenock and Archibald Merrilees from Edinburgh (1797-1877) both merchants who founded the famous TsUM [Tsentralny Universalny Magazin] department store (then as Muir & Merrilees) in Moscow; and Richard Smith (1824-1902) from Greenock, foundry owner and boilermaker.

It was said there was 30 such Scottish industralist families in Moscow alone at the time, with many others based in St. Petersburg.

Hopper founded the St. Andrews Church in Moscow around 1882. (St. Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland and Russia.)

He tried to encourage his Russian workers to play sport. This was not only to maintain their health but was seen as an incentive for them to keep sober!

It was either William Hopper or, more likely, one of his sons, William Hopper Jnr. (1858-1944), that had the idea of introducing rugby union to the Russians.

Hopper’s first factory had a green alongside the factory wall where his factory workers played rugby union (at first) then football. When Hopper expanded his business and planned his second plant in southeast Moscow at Orekhovo-Zuevo, he purposely built a pitch alongside the factory.

Hopper Snr. died on 23 April 1885. His wife and eldest sons then ran the business. The new plant opened in 1886 and rugby union was played on the new pitch.

Rugby was initially a great success and both Russian workers and Scottish expatriates joined in. However the growing interest in rugby by the workers was frowned on by the Czarist police. They managed to ban rugby union later that year (1886); they argued that the sport was too violent and its use might thus help spawn revolutionary ideas!

Not to be deterred in getting his workers involved in sport, Hopper Jnr. then introduced football to the Russian factory workers. It is said that all the Hopper brothers played football. Football won favour with the authorities; and so it was football rather than rugby union that spread throughout the country.

Between 1886 and 1923 any rugby matches that were played were sporadic, although at least one match took place in 1908 between locals and a British trading ship at the Odessa port.

A date of 1923 – after the Russian Revolution of 1917 – does fit with the sport’s re-introduction. The threat of revolutionary ideals from rugby union somewhat diminished as the revolution had already taken place. Rugby Union first began in Russia at least from 1886, dating from when the Hoppers introduced it.

1923 saw the first officially sanctioned match. The Moscow River Yacht Club and the Society for the Physical Education of Workers played out a rugby union match, organised by Mikhail Kozlov (who would later become the USSR’s first national football team coach).

Rugby Union suffered another Russian ban from 1946 to 1956; but in 1957 the second ban was lifted.

Sevens

It is not known if any Sevens rugby was played in Russia in 1886, but it seems likely it was not. The Moscow police may have been less likely to ban rugby union if the fast flowing Sevens alternative was played instead of the XV game.

The European Sevens Grand Prix Series was hosted by Moscow from 2005 to 2007.

The Moscow Sevens international tournament of 28 June to 30 June 2013 billed itself as taking place on the 90th anniversary year of rugby union in Russia. As we have seen, this is not the case.

Scotland to USA: the spread of Sevens

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By tournament:

1957 Princeton Tigers v Harvard [16 November]
1960 New York [26 November]
1961 Stanford [December]
1961 San Francisco [December]
1964 Boston [15 May]

The list may be subject to change if more rugby union sevens tournaments are discovered.

Princeton

The Daily Princetonian of Tuesday 19 November 1957 remarks at the end of a rugby article on the 1st team of the Princeton Tigers playing a match against the New York Rugby Club at Fitzpatrick Field on Saturday 16 November 1957… that Princeton Tigers 2nd team played a Seven a side rugby union match against Harvard; and that the Tigers won.

New York

The Fairfield Stag newpaper has various entries of the Fairfield Rugby Club competing in the annual New York Sevens tournament at Van Cortlandt Park. The events are noted as the last Saturday in November.

One note of the fifth annual Sevens tournament of 28 November 1964 notes that 45 teams were invited to that year’s Sevens; the Old Blues club won the 1964 event beating New York rugby club in the final.

Not yet definitely sourced, however the implication is that the first annual New York Sevens was on 26 November 1960.

Stanford

The Stanford Daily of 3 December 1964 noted that the Stanford University rugby club will play in the fourth annual Sevens tournament on the Stanford fields on the 5 December 1964. It notes that 30 teams will compete in the 1964 tournament. As this was the fourth annual tournament it implies that the first annual Stanford Sevens was in 1961, again probably December.

San Francisco

The San Mateo Times of 25 October 1961 notes that the Peninsula Ramblers Rugby Club will take part in the San Francisco Sevens tournament in December of that year.

Boston

The Fairfield Stag newspaper of May 13 1964 notes that on Friday 15 May 1964 the Fairfield rugby club will go to Boston to compete in a rugby Sevens tournament which was sponsored by the Harvard Business School.

Rugby union sevens teams from M.I.T., Dartmouth, Yale, Harvard, Brown and the Harvard Business School were also lined up for the tournament.

Scotland to Jamaica: the spread of Sevens

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By tournament:

1937 Savanna-la-Mar [24 May]
1960 Red Stripe [12 October]

The list may be subject to change if more rugby union sevens tournaments are discovered.

Savanna-la-Mar

The Kingston Gleaner of 29 May 1937 writes of a rugby union Seven-a-side match that took place on Jamaica Empire Day morning. (24 May 1937)

The match took place at Savanna-la-Mar and it was between a Kingston side versus a Country side. The match was over 6 chukkas – a chukka, the time division used in the sport of Polo, lasts around 7 minutes – and Kingston beat the Country side.

This was noted as the first game of the season; and after the Sevens match both sides got together and formed the Jamaica Rugby Football Club.

Scotland to Australia: the spread of Sevens

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By tournament:

1891 Rockhampton [4 July]

The list may be subject to change if more rugby union sevens tournaments are discovered.

Rockhampton

The 30 June 1891 advert for rugby by the Central Queensland Rugby Union in the Rockhampton Morning Bulletin promised a rugby union match between The Banks versus The Civil Service. Also on the bill was a Seven a side competition. The advert was placed by the CQRU Acting Honorary Secretary C. A. Mathias. Admission was 1 shilling; those with horse or buggy 2 shilling; and women received free entry to the enclosure. The matches were to be played at the Union Ground at Rockhampton’s Cambridge Street.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/52347037?searchTerm=rugby%20%22seven%20a%20side%22&searchLimits=sortby=dateAsc

The advert was a Charity event for local hospitals and was also placed in the Daily Northern Argus on the same date.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/213477749?searchTerm=rugby%20%22seven%20a%20side%22&searchLimits=sortby=dateAsc

The report of the match and the Sevens tournament was in the Daily Northern Argus of 6 July 1891. The report of the Argus is fairly circumspect of the notion of Sevens:- it notes that Sevens have been popular in ‘England’ (sic) under the auspices of the ‘English Rugby Union’ (sic). The journalist evidently not making the obvious distinction instead that Sevens were popular in Scotland under the auspices of the Scottish Rugby Union; and not aware that Sevens tournaments were actively frowned on by the English Rugby Union.

The first Sevens match was the Wanderers versus the Waratahs, which the Wanderers won. The Wanderers then played the Berserkers. Dusk was falling and the journalist writes that no-one could tell what the score was – but in any case the match was stopped as one of the Berserkers fell ill with the Wanderers well in the lead.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/213346865?searchTerm=rugby%20%22seven%20a%20side%22&searchLimits=sortby=dateAsc

Scotland to Netherlands: the spread of Sevens

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By tournament:

1938 Delft [27 March]

The list may be subject to change if more rugby union sevens tournaments are discovered.

Delft

Delft rugby club ran a Sevens tournament on 27 March 1938. The entrants played for the Henri Van Booven Cup. The first round losers played for a Delft Students Cup.

The Haagsche Rugby Club won the Henri Van Booven Cup. Gooisclje Rugby Club won the Delft Students Cup.

Translation from the Haagsche Courant newspaper (The Hague Daily) of 12 March 1938:

RUGBY.

Haagsche R.C. is preparing for a tournament in Delft. On March 27 1938 a seven-a-side tournament is being organized in Delft with the teams competing for the first Van Booven cup.

Mr. Henri Van Booven is well known in sports circles, as the honorary chairman of the Netherlands Rugby Union (N.R.B.). Before leaving for a foreign country, he gave the N. R. B. a cup, which is intended to be fought as an annual Sevens challenge cup.

The intention of a seven-a-side tournament is not to come out with 15 players, but with teams consisting of seven players. The arrangement is then as follows:- three forwards; two halves, one of which also acts as a three-quarter; two three-quarters, one of which also fulfils the full-back task.

In order to come out with a strong 7, the Haagsche Rugby Club has set up a practice match for its players tomorrow at 11 am on its grounds at the Buurtweg; the players forming a Haagsche ‘A’ and ‘B’ team.

https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?cql%5B%5D=%28date+_gte_+%2201-01-1930%22%29&cql%5B%5D=%28date+_lte_+%2231-12-1939%22%29&query=rugby+zeven&coll=ddd&redirect=true&identifier=MMKB04:000149363:mpeg21:a0177&resultsidentifier=MMKB04:000149363:mpeg21:a0177

Translation from the Haagsche Courant newspaper (The Hague Daily) of 28 March 1938:

RUGBY.

The Haagsche Rugby Club won the Henri van Booven cup in an interesting tournament in Delft.

On Sunday afternoon a seven-a-side tournament took place at the Laan van Vollermg in Delft. The management was largely in the hands of the Delft Student Rugby Club.

In the First Round the following results were achieved:-

RCDNV-Delft II 9-3;
Delft — Gooische RC 21—3;
Haagsche RC — Gooische RC 9—6;
Pro Patria-Haagsche R C 2 14-0;
Pro Patria-Delft 9-11;
RCDNV, Pro Patria 6-3 (after extra time);
Haagsche RC-Pro Patria 6-3;
RCDNV— Delft 16—9.

Semi-Finals:

De Haagsche R.C. then got a debilitating match to play against Pro Patria. After the battle had been absorbed for some time, Mac Leod gave his team the lead by scoring a try (3—0) neatly. The score was considerably boosted by the Blues by the four tries. None of the tries was converted, so that our fellow townspeople managed to qualify for the final against De Vroede Vaderen by a 15–0 win over the Rotterdam team.

Students Cup:

The second team of the Haagsche had worked their way up to the final of the losers round. This match went against the Gooisclje R.C. Among these opponents, the international Klasema, who was responsible for several tries, excelled, but Meeuwis and Dijkstra also did a good job. It became a heavy 22–0 defeat for ours, who had to settle for fourth place. The Gooische was in possession of a cup, made available by the Delft Student Rugby Club.

Final of the Van Booven Cup:

For the final, it was Haagsche R.C. against the Rugby Club De Vroede Vaderen. The players of both teams appeared to be tired. It was an exciting meeting with different breakthroughs from both parties, although the initiative was mostly taken by the Hagenaars. Niefi scored in the official game time. In the first half of the match, the Blue team had a chance to score a try, and Werner tried to convert the try, which was unsuccessful due to his low shooting.

The Henri van Booven cup will be awarded at the annual meeting of the Haagsche Rugby Club.

https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?cql%5B%5D=%28date+_gte_+%2201-01-1930%22%29&cql%5B%5D=%28date+_lte_+%2231-12-1939%22%29&query=rugby+delft&coll=ddd&redirect=true&page=8&sortfield=datedesc&identifier=MMKB04:000149383:mpeg21:a0182&resultsidentifier=MMKB04:000149383:mpeg21:a0182

Amsterdam

The Amsterdam Sevens tournament began in 1972.

The spread of Sevens; Scotland to:

England Ireland Netherlands
New Zealand Argentina Jamaica
Australia Wales U.S.A.
Russia Canada Hong Kong
India

Scotland to Wales: the spread of Sevens

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By tournament:

1935 Cardiff Technical College [2 February]
1940 Ystrad Rhondda [23 March]
1950 Old Penarthians Sevens [6 May]

The list may be subject to change if more rugby union sevens tournaments are discovered.

WRU intransigence

Sevens tournaments came to Wales much later than elsewhere.

Some in Wales saw the success of the Scottish Sevens tournaments and, later, the Middlesex Sevens and pushed for the Welsh Rugby Union to accept Sevens.

The WRU feared that Sevens would be a backdoor to professionalism in rugby union. They refused to permit any Sevens tournament.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000104/19350418/143/0004

Cardiff Technical College

Despite the lack of permit, college students at the Cardiff Technical College held their own Sevens tournament. This was noted as part of the Lewis Lougher Cup; played annually between different student departments. However the Sevens tournament was only part of the Lewis Lougher Cup; other sports were involved; so the cup-winners would be the best Department throughout all the sports played. The cup was later known as the Welsport Cup.

The Lewis Lougher Cup Sevens matches were evidently played on different days throughout the spring of 1935.

The cup-ties of 2 February 1935 saw the Architecture Department students beat the Handicraft Department students by three tries to nil; and the Engineering Department students beating the Bakery Department students by 36 points to nil.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000104/19350205/130/0004

Reported in the Western Mail newspaper on Tuesday 12 February 1935, the Lewis Lougher Sevens cup-ties probably held on Saturday 9 February 1935 – it is stated that the Pharmacy Dept. students beat the Art School students by 25 points to nil; and that they also beat the Bakery Dept. students by 29 points to nil.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000104/19350212/136/0004

Reported on the Western Mail newspaper of Tuesday 9 April 1935 the final of Lewis Lougher Cup, probably held on Saturday 6 April 1935 – which the Architecture Department students won.

The Architecture Dept. students beat the Pharmacy Dept. students 6 points to nil in the final. The Pharmacy students played almost the whole match with 6 men as one of their team, A. P. Pipe, sustained a broken collarbone at the start of the final.

The Western Mail reports that this was the first time that the Architecture Department students have won; but there are no earlier reports of Seven matches found. The implication therefore is that it was the first time that the Architecture students won the Lewis Lougher Cup through a variety of sports; and not that there were earlier Sevens tournaments at the college.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000104/19350409/237/0010

By 1938, the Sevens tournament was renamed the Welsport Cup. The Western Mail of Tuesday 8 February 1938 reports that ‘during the week’ the Pharmacy Department played the Art Department and that the Art Department won. This was a first round tie.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000104/19380208/105/0004

The Western Mail of Tuesday 28 February 1939: the first round saw the Architect Department beat the Chemistry Department students.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000104/19390228/088/0004

Again, another Western Mail report of 14 March 1939; cup-ties played 11 March 1939 – the Architecure Dept. beat the Handicraft Dept. students.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000104/19390314/159/0006

WRU subcommittee formed

On 2 June 1938 the WRU finally created a subcommittee to oversee Sevens tournament applications.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000104/19380603/099/0003

This was bowing to the inevitable. London Welsh, a member of the Welsh Rugby Union, had already won the Middlesex Sevens twice; in 1930 and 1931. When Cardiff RFC won the Middlesex Sevens in 1939 the WRU could not sustain it’s resistance to Sevens anymore.

Ystrad Rhondda

The first officially sanctioned match was on 23 March 1940 in aid of war charities at Ystrad Rhondda.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000104/19400325/073/0002

Snelling Sevens

The most famous of the Welsh Sevens tournaments was the Snelling Sevens. This was named after the chairman of the Newport Athletic Club, Reg Snelling. The annual tournament began on 1 May 1954; it was re-named as the Worthington Sevens in 1995, however this became the tournament’s last year.

The cover of the 1954 programme mistakenly states that the Snelling Sevens is the first Welsh Seven-a-side tournament.

Olympic try-outs

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The first effort to get rugby sevens in the Olympics was back in 1931.

A Galashiels man, then residing in Canada, wrote to the International Olympic Committee proposing that rugby sevens be included in the 1932 Summer Olympics at Los Angeles.

Mr. W. Hastie Cochrane of Esquimalt, British Columbia proposed that the Five Nations international teams – Scotland, Ireland, England, France and Wales should be included and all compete for the Olympic title. [Scotland, England and Wales frequently had separate national teams in the Olympics; e.g. the Scotland hockey team won bronze medals in London 1908; and the Scotland cycling team came fourth in Stockholm 1912.]

The Sports Technical Director of the I.O.C., Mr. W. M. Henry, replied to Mr. Cochrane:

“I have just received your very interesting letter regarding the possibility of an exhibition game of seven-a-side Rugby football for the 1932 Olympic Games. I am very sorry to say that the powers of the Working Committee are limited to two exhibition sports, and American football and Lacrosse have already been chosen for these events in 1932.”

Mr. Cochrane also noted that rugby sevens was played with success in Montreal and the sport might also spread to the U.S.A.
https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002784/19310924/088/0006

Scotland to Ireland: the spread of Sevens

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By tournament:

1921 Belfast ‘Warriors Day’ [30 April]

The list may be subject to change if more rugby union sevens tournaments are discovered.

Planned tournament not played

A Sevens tournament was planned by Douglas RFC, a Cork side, on 8 December 1900.

The club went so far as to have a meeting with the entrants. They were:- 2 Post Office teams, 2 Constitution teams, Douglas RFC, Cork RFC, Queens College RFC and Black Prince RFC.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000425/19001204/161/0007

However the tournament was postponed due to inclement weather and there is no record of the tournament subsequently being played.

Belfast Warriors Day

The first Sevens tournament in Ireland had to wait until 30 April 1921.

This was in Belfast at the Balmoral Showgrounds. This was a Charity event for the ‘Warriors Day fund’.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001542/19210502/071/0003

Lansdowne tournament

Details of the 1927 tournament, together with an assessment of the current international stand-off between Scotland and Ireland maintaining the rules of the IRB (now World Rugby); against England going their own way, assisted by the Welsh and the French.

The seven-a-side tournament at Lansdowne Rd. last Saturday provided the usual wind-up to the Rugby football season. Interest in this form of the sport showed no falling off. Dublin University, the fastest side in the city, won the competition, and the large attendance made certain that the intended charity will benefit in substantial manner. This has been a great year for Ireland. Our National team is generally admitted to be the best of the season, club play has shown an improvement in accord with the high fame of Irish football, and the game continues to spread throughout the country at an amazing rate. The Bateman Cup final attracted the largest attendance on record, and the match between two splendid teams was worthy of the greatest traditons of the game. Lansdowne must be written down as t h team of the year, it is true that they failed in the last big test against Instonians, but it was really their exertions against the Limerick team. Bohemians, on the previous day, that caused their failure. They have won the Leinster Senior Cup. They defeated during the season the pick of the Ulster clubs, including Instonians, and their second team never lost a match tlroughout the season.

The season that is past witnessed certain developments of universal interest. The Rugby Union, by which title the English Rugby Union still asserts its right to be known, had redrafted the laws of the game, and had done the job well, clearing up many doubtful points, and doing away with certain ambiguities. The other Unions, however, did – not adopt the redrafted rules, and as France and Wales each included in their laws certain variations of their own, for a portion of the season we were treated to the absurd spectacle of England, France, and Wales playing under their own rules, while Ireland and Scotland adhered to the laws of the International Board. In November, with a gesture of generosity, the English Union decided to shelve its own rules, and for the remainder of the season to adopt those of the International Board. As Before. AT the time Mr. Baxter, President of the English Union, indicated that it was hoped to get the redrafted rules accepted when it met in March. Wales and France, however, stood out, and stuck to their own rules. So far, the English attitude was eminently reasonable, and personally I am sorry that the International Board did hot adopt the redrafted rules at their meeting last month. taking out cords, and to bear that the membership Its. incicased this year. The new constitution of the Society admits to memlwrehip officers who have held commissions in the Army or Defence forces of the State and who are members of rem”- nits4l clubs. In that way lienerals O’Huffy and Murphy are members of the Society now, and also General Mulcahy end several members of the flovernment and Government dcpartments are also on the list. Thus the Society p assesses the nucleus of very powerful organisation which will likely play an important pert in inch golf in the future. One missed from the list of competitors the name of Dom. Carroll. who as Major Carroll was the winner of the first Army Championship. He has returned from the States, where he was qualifying for an important medical appointment here, and he is at present residing in Cork, to which county he was appointed. of course, is • member of the Society, but he was not at the Hermitage for the Collins Cup, which he will surely win one of these days, for the Army not likely to have as gond • golfer for • very long time. Taking the returns all round they showed th a t the game has been developing in the Army and that there are several promising players stationed in the country towns, But the medical. appear to have the better of it so far as playing strength concerned. It was • most enjoyable day for all them , who took part in the tournament,


What they did do was to pass a res i » lotion reco ending each country play no matches in future except under International Board rules. Such expressions of pious opinions cut little ice matter how august the source which they emanate, and this one a il probably be disregarded; in any it leaves us with the old chaotic set of rules. Revolt. THE rejection of the redrafted ruler , , coupled with the fact that the English Union’s suggestions in the matter of Dominion representation were not adopted, appears to have driven Dlr. Baxter to the point of revolt. Speaking at the dinner of the London Society of Rugby Union Referees held some time after the International Board meeting, he is reported to have said in reference, to Dominion representation. – “It (the formation of an Imperial Advisory Board) was bound to come, for the Rugby Union could nut, and would not, be tied down by other people. The time would come when, if they were convinced they had justice on their side, they could stand alone, and the Rugby Union, so far as the Dominions were concerned, were prepared to stand alone if it was necessary. As long as it retained the confidence of the Rugby world, it would not be dictated to by any other authority.

A Threat. This is a pretty fair example of twaddle even for the President of a Rugby Union. It can only mean that the English Union is prepared to go to extremes, and, if necessary, suspend international matches. This is an empty threat, the product of unreasonable irritation. The game has developed to such an extent that it is surd to expect all countries to submit to government by the Union of one. The game is a world one now, and fair representation should be given to all in the Commonwealth of Unions which is the International Board. The English claim to control is based on seniority alone. The honour due to age does not include a duty of blind obedience, The English Union on account of it; antiquity has always been called the Rugby Union; it began as that, and no one has interfered. High-rounding titles without authority behind thesis are apt to cause friction. In this case the English Union has been led to exaggerate its own importance, and the President’s foolish outburst has been the result. It seems as if the time has come when historical association no longer justifies the retention of the title Rugby Union ” by the ” English Rugby Union.” Sentiment misunderstood the enemy of efficiency, the nurse of dissatisfaction, and so in this particular it must go.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002911/19270423/079/0014

Waterford tournament

The tournament must have started in 1927, as the sixth annual tournament was noted as in 1932. (1927 1st, 1928 2nd, 1929 3rd, 1930 4th, 1931 5th, 1932 6th)

A Waterford tournament was postponed from 26 April 1928. A new date was set for Thursday 3 May 1928.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001678/19280425/029/0003

The annual seven-a-side games under the auspices of the Waterford Rugby Club were played on Thursday at Newtown School grounds, kindly lent by the Governors. The games were well contested throughout, and there was good attendance. Waterford defeated C.Y.M.S. 2nd team two tries (unconverted) to nil. Waterpark beat Carrick-on-Suir by 14 pts. 0.Y.M.8. received bye; Kilrossanty absent. Dungarvan defeated Fethard by 15 points to 3. Semi-finals: C.Y.M.S. defeated Waterford by 21 points to nil. Dungarvan beat Waterpark, after a sparkling game, by 2 tried (unconverted), 6 points, to 3 points. Final.—C.Y.M.S. beat Dungarvan after splendid game. The final scores were:— 0.Y.M.8., 8 points; Dungarvan, 3 points. Lady Garraway presented the medals to the winning team. , Mr. R. Oassin thanked Lady Garraway for being present and presenting the medals, and also the Governors of the School and Mr. Marsh, Principal, for kindly placing the grounds at their disposal. Amongst those who witnessed the games were Sir E. Goff, Mr. P. de Bromhead, Major Burke, Mr. T. Gallwey, Miss de Bromhead, Lady Garraway, Mr. R. D. Patterson, etc. The set of medals were presented by the Committee of the Waterpark Rugby Club.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001678/19280505/043/0003

It was played the following year at the end of April 1929:

Despite the inclemency ol the weather, there was a fairly good attendanbee at Ballinaeeshagh Sunday last when a seven aside tournament took place in aid of the County and City Infirmary. The musical programme contributed by the Barrack St. Band considerably enlivened the proceedings. The following were the results—C.Y.M.S (6 points) v. Collegians (3 points) ; Collegians (15 points) v. Kilrossanty (0) ; Carrick-en-Suir (15 points) v. Collegians (3 points). Final—C.Y.M.S. defeated Carrickon-Suir by 14 points to 0 The scorers for the winners were Regan (2), J. Kelly and Ryan. One of the tries was converted Cullinane. The schoolboys’ encounter proved even more interesting than that of the seniors. The medals were presented to Hie winning teams the Rev, Bro. O’Neill. Superior. Waterpark College.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001678/19290504/053/0004

In 1932, teams from Leinster also took part:

The Rugby season in Waterford closes on Sunday week (10th April) with the annual Seven-a-side Tournament, at Ballinaneeshagh. This event is expected to be much more interesting this year, as the committee have succeeded in getting a number of prominent players from Dublin clubs to take part. Bective, who are now in the final of the Leinster Senior Cup, are sending a seven from their cup team. Lansdowne are sending an equally strong side, and if these two teams should meet there will be very strenuous and exciting game. The fact that the Dublin seven-a-side will not take place till the following week will add interest to this game. Clonmel Is sending a very clever seven who posses speed and thrust, and they should go a long way in the tournament. Cappoquin and Carrick-on-Suir are also entered, and there will be three city teams. C.Y.M.S.. Newtown, and Waterpark Old Boys. A tournament between four junior teams from Waterpark College will also take place. This provided a big attraction last year, and there were some very amusing incidents in the games. The juniors are extremely keen, and take their games very seriously. A set of medals is awarded the winning team. A Cinderella Dance will be held in the Palace Ballroom, Tramore, after the tournament. and will be attended by all the visiting teams. The catering will carried out by the Railway Cafe. Dancing will be from 8-30 to 1-30, after which special Nomad buses leave for Waterford.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001678/19320402/170/0011

Scotland to England: the spread of Sevens

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By tournament:

1886 St. Helens Cricket Club [29 May 1886 – 5 June 1886]
1886 Warrington Football Club [14 August 1886]
1888 Chorley [22 July 1888]
1888 Rainford Athletics [7 August 1888]
1894 Hexham Whitsuntide Sports [21 May 1894]
1921 Carlisle [23 April 1921]
1921 Percy Park [3 September]
1922 Rockcliff [17 April]
1922 K.O.S.B [26 August] – a Scottish tournament played in Berwick that year
1923 West and Technical [1 September]
1924 Clifton [29 March]
1924 Old Dixonians [18 October]
1926 Middlesex [24 April]

The list may be subject to change if more rugby union sevens tournaments are discovered.

St. Helens Cricket Club

The cricket club advertised its 17th Sports day for 29 May 1886. It advertised its ‘Annual Athletic Festival’ under A.A.A. rules as having among other sports a Rugby Football contest (seven-a-side).

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003364/18860516/025/0004

This was the first occasion that rugby union was played in the St. Helens Cricket Club Sports event, rugby union not appearing in previous Sports days.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000986/18850505/052/0007

The Liverpool Daily Post of 31 May 1886 noted that the rugby matches took place and the finals would take place on Saturday next.

St. Helens No.2 team beat St. Helens Recreation No. 2 team by 2 goals and one minor point to nil. Warrington beat St. Helens Recreation No. 1 team by one try and 3 minor points to nil. St. Helens No. 1 team beat Widnes by one goal, one try and one minor point to nil. It shall be stated that Widnes by placed at a disadvantage by Stirrup getting his shoulder injured and as he had to retire they played with a man short for the greater part of the game. Southport beat Widnes Recreation by a goal and one try to ne try and 3 minor points. The finals will be played on Saturday next.

Here the sides were playing a variant with minor points being awarded. A minor point was awarded to the attacking side in the English rules by the defensive side touching down the ball in their own goal area.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000647/18860531/195/0006

The St. Helens Examiner of 5 June 1886 has this report:

Eight teams of seven players each entered a football contest under rugby rules, the prizes being 1st value £7, 2nd value £3. The first pair to enter the field were St. Helen’s No. 2 team and St. Helens Recreation No. 2 team. The “Recs” were altogether too weak for their opponents, and at half-time the latter had scored two goals and one minor point to nil.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002610/18860605/055/0005

One reason why the rugby union sevens contest was only played once was called by the Athletic News of 1 June 1886.

I fancy that it was rather unwise on the part of the committee to add a football contest to such a lengthy programme, it rendered the proceedings long drawn out, and even then they only succeeded in getting through the first round.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000986/18860601/044/0005

So it was a week later that finally the semi-finals and the final were played. The remaining four teams played on 5 June 1886; with Warrington winning.

FOOTBALL COMPETITION AT ST. HELENS. VICTORY OF WARRINGTON. The semi-final and final ties in the seven-a-side football contest, arranged in connection with the annual sports of the St. Helens Cricket Club, were played off on the ground at Denton’s Green-lane, on Saturday night. They had been postponed from the previous Saturday, when the four clubs left in were the St. Helens No. 1 and No. 2 teams, Warrington, and Southport Olympic. There was a fairly large attendance of spectators, and during the matches, considerable excitement was manifested.

ST. HELENS (No. 2) v. WARRINGTON.—The first couple to step into the field were the St. Helens No. 2 team and Warrington, and the players were as follows :—St. Helens : J. Dearden, full back H. Pennington (captain) and C. Anders, three-quarter backs ; D. McLoughlin, T. Finney, C. Ross, and W. Arnold, forwards. Warrington : J. Anderton (Wigan), full back; W. Speakman and J. Buxton, three-quarter backs ; H. Ashton (captain), T. Davies, W. Povey, and C. Unsworth, forwards. Having won the toss, Warrington chose to play with the sun at their backs, and Pennington kicked off for St. Helens. Arnold followed well up, but Ashton cleverly collared him. The subsequent scrimmaging was in the visitors’ quarters, and the home lot infused some energy in the game. Buxton ultimately relieved with a short run and kick to the centre, where Speakman made a good attempt to score, but Anders collared him and threw him to the floor; the ball going into touch. Anderton, who played brilliantly throughout, next distinguished himself by a clever run, and notwithstanding Pennington collared him on the line he struggled and secured a try. Buxton failed at the place-kick, making a bad attempt to secure the major point. Almost immediately afterwards Ashton rushed down field, but Pennington rather luckily upset him. Just before ends were changed the home team secured a dead ball, and at half-time Warrington led by four points (a try) to one. On resuming. Anderton rushed in St. Helen’s quarters but he was collared, and Pennington in attempting to relieve had his jersey stripped from his back. For a few minutes the play was even, but Warrington afterwards pressed their opponents, the defence of the Warringtonians being splendid, while the forwards dribbled and kicked well. After the visitors had secured a minor point, some desperate scrimmages in the St. Helena quarters ensued, resulting in Anderton securing a try amid applause. From the place kick Anderton kicked a beautiful goal (8 points), and this placed Warrington ahead by 13 points to one. No other score was registered, and Warrington thus won by the points mentioned.

ST. HELENS (No. 1) V. SOUTHPORT OLYMPIC,—The tie between these was very exciting, and the players were:— St. Helens: A. Tickle, full-back; E. Foreman and A. Borthwick, three-quarter backs; W. James, J. Halton, J. Basnett, and W. Once forward,. Southport: J. Barnes, full back; W. Lund and P. Booth, three-quarter backs; Summers, Moorfield, Robinson, and Gill, forwards. The visitors won the toss, and Borthwick kicked off. Booth made a good return, and while rushing with the ball Tickle collared him, and both fell heavily to the ground. From a scrimmage in the visitors’ quarters Borthwick made an attempt at dropping a goal, but failed. Lund next eluded Borthwick and Tickle, and by a splendid run obtained a try (four points), straight between the posts. Gill was entrusted with the place kick—one of the easiest possible positions—but he made a miserable attempt, which evoked derisive laughter from the spectators. No other noticeable incident was witnessed before half-time. On the resumption there were cries of “Play up, St. Helens,” and the home team at once carried the ball into the visitors’ quarters. From a throw in Foreman touched the ball, and knocked it about a yard forward, but he caught it before it fell, and rushing forward he grounded the leather behind the posts, claiming a try. The referee (Mr. Vicars) disallowed the point on a claim by Southport, on the ground that the oval had been thrown forward. This decision gave rise to hooting from the supporters of the local team. Southport subsequently had the best of the scrimmaging, but St. Helens seared a minor point. The St Helens team afterwards played with desperation to stave off the threatening defeat, and in the last four minutes Borthwick threw in splendidly to Tickle, who by a beautiful drop kicked a goal (six points) amid prolonged cheers. In the remaining few minutes the visitors tried hard to secure an equalising point, but they failed to do so, and St. Helens won by seven points to four.

Final Tie: WARRINGTON V. ST. HELENS (No. 1) The final tie was played, after a short interval, between the Warrington and St. Helens No. 1 teams, and was undoubtedly the most exciting and fiercely contested tie in the contest. Anderton started the bill for Warrington, and a good follow-up was made, the scrimmaging resulting in a minor for Warrington. After a few minutes loose play in the centre of the field, the ball was kicked towards the St. Helens 25, and Buxton securing, eluded Tickle and made a try. Anderton took the place kick, and though it was from rather a difficult position, he landed a beautiful goal (eight points) amid some applause. Though Warrington had now a good lead their opponents played hard, and Foreman, in the course of a splendid run was only luckily stopped by Speakman, who was his last opponent. Unsworth next appeared to advantage for Warrington, but Foreman collared him amid cheers when crossing the goal line. The play was afterwards of a rough character, and while Anderton manifested signs of lameness, Grice received an injury to his face, causing blood to flaw profusely from his nose. No further point was scored before half time, when Warrington led by nine points to nil. The second half was very exciting, and St. Helens had by far the best of the play Borthwick resumed by kicking the ball forward, and after some scrimmage Basnett nearly scored a try, but Speakman collared him on the goal line. Bassett again distinguished himself after a pass by Tickle, and he gained a try, which was disallowed on a claim of “off-side.” Playing well together the home forwards pressed Warrington, and Bassett. Grice, and Foreman passed splendidly, but, Buxton and Anderton were almost impassable. One or two minors were notched, and during the play Speakman received an injury to his ankle which compelled his retirement from the field. Thus weakened the visitors played a defensive game, but amidst cheers Foreman gained a clever try (four points.) This was from a difficult position, and it was no surprise that Borthwick failed to secure the major point. The score now stood: Warrington 9 points, St. Helens 7 points. Amid increasing excitement St. Helens secured another minor two minutes from the finish, but they could do no more, and Warrington thus won the first prize (£7) by 9 points to 8 points.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002598/18860612/009/0002

Warrington Football Club

The third annual Sports Day of the Warrington Football Club introduced a football seven-a-side tournament under rugby rules on 14 August 1886. This proved a one-off and was not repeated. Note the Highfield F.C. team in the Warrington Examiner report below taking exception to the refereeing; on this occasion they remained on the field.

The item in the programme which seemed to excite the most general interest was the football contest, for which the first prize consisted of seven silver tea services of aggregate value of £7; and the second prize seven gold breast pins, of the aggregate value of £3 10. The entries comprised F Turner’s, H Ashton’s, and J. Whittle’s Warrington teams, the Warrington Rangers, Valentine’s Swinton team, Salford Athletics, and Highfield. There were seven players in each team, and the time allowed for each contest was twenty minutes, 10 minutes each way, with the exception of the final which was a quarter of an hour each way.

Valentine’s Swinton v. F. Turner’s Team: The first teams to take the field were Valentine’s Swinton team and F. Turner’s Warrington team. It was soon seen that Valentine and his half dozen comrades were well able to maintain the high reputation of their club, for although the Warrington team contained such adepts at the game as Barnes, Jolley, F. Turner, etc. the ball was quickly carried into the home quarter. The Warrington players, however, as usual, made a tough defence, but in the end Swinton had a minor placed to their credit, and soon afterwards a try, which resulted in a goal. In the second half Turner and his comrades showed decidedly better form, and ultimately secured a minor point, and Jolley also scoeed a try from a maul. No goal, however, resulted. During the last few minutes a very strong game was played by Warrington, and they were somewhat unlucky in that it did not result in further points being put to their credit. This contest ended as follows :—Swinton, 9 points; F Turner’s team, 5 points.

Warrington Ranger’s team v. J. Whittle’s team: This was is respects the most interesting contest, as the Rangers showed an unmistakeable supremacy over their opponents,especielly in the punting game. The Rangers soon scored a minor point, and within a minute or two after an easy goal. On behalf of the opposing team, Whittle, as usual, played well, and Walsh defended the goal in a praiseworthy manner. But the Rangers were not to be denied, and the contest closed with 11 points to their credit, as opposed to 1 point secured by Whittle’s team.

H. Ashton’s team v. Salford Athletic team: At the outset Ashton and his followers severely pressed the Salford men, and the latter were not long in conceding a touchdown. The Athletics then, however, began to better themselves, and some hot play ensued dangerously near the Warrington posts, and ultimately a try, from which a goal resulted, was secured by the visitors. On a change of ends the home team had the game pretty much in their own hands, and Buxton by a clever run soon secured a try which was not turned into a goal. The ball had barely been restarted when Ashton by a determined effort won another try for Warrington which was this time transformed into a goal by Anderton. Subsequnetly another try was obtained by Buxton from which again Anderton kicked a goal. Anderton indeed exhibited some good all-round play and proved himself a valuable auxillary to the home team. the game ended as follows: Ashton’s team 23 points, Salford’s team 8 points.

Swinton v Highfield. In the second round Swinton and Highfield teams were the first to turn out, Highfield having the benefit of a bye in the first round. Valentine’s men quickly manifested their superiority, and in a few minutes three minors were placed to their credit, and later a try, which did not end in a goal. Another try was soon awarded to Swinton, but at this point the Highfield players took exception to the ruling of the umpire, but did not leave the ground as they at first seemed inclined to do. On restarting Swinton secured two more tries, and the game ended thus, Swinton 25 points, Highfield nil.

Ashton’s Team v. Rangers, These the teams which next entered the field, and the Rangers made a good stand against their formidable opponents. It was not before some tough play that Ashton’s men managed to gain a minor point, but after that scoring went on more rapidly, Buxton securing two tries and Ashton one, and in the end the game stood Ashton’s team 15 Rangers 2. Although, as might be expected, the Rangers were not able to hold their own against their powerful antagonists, their play was again much admired, and particularly their tackling and passing.

Final : Valentine’s Swinton team and Ashton’s team next came together in the final, and some good play was witnessed. Valentine’s men again showed first-rate form and were not long in securing a try, which was not converted into a goal. Other points followed, although the Warrington team played a strong defensive game, and at times, by spirited efforts,. endangered their adversaries’ goal. The outcome of the game was that Swinton won by 16 points to 3, and consequently were declared the winners of the first prize, Ashton’s team taking second honours.

This Warrington F.C. team were previously known as the Warrington Zingari. (There was a previous Warrington F.C. side but that went defunct, and the Zingari side then took over that name.) The club was to adopt rugby league in 1895 and through various name changes became the Warrington Wolves.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002598/18860821/063/0006

Chorley

The Chorley event of 22 July 1888 was part of an athletic sports day by Chorley Rugby and Athletic club in Lancashire, England. It was a single match of rugby sevens played between W. B. Sharples team and Woodburn Rovers. Woodburn Rovers, noted as the West Lancashire Junior and Wigan cupholders, won the match. This event was noted as the second Chorley Athletic sports hosted by the Rugby and Athletic club; sevens was not played the year before.

A rugby sevens match at Chorley seems to have also been played in the following year, on 24 August 1889 at the next Chorley Athletic sports day. (It is marked as a football event; but there are no notes to state whether under Association or Rugby rules. However given the 1888 match was stated as rugby rules, it is reasonable to assume that the 1889 match was also under rugby rules.) Hesters of Blackburn were the winning side.

Note: this was the Chorley Rugby and Athletic sports day; there was another not-connected Chorley Sports day but that event did not host any rugby.

Rainford Athletics

Rainford Athletic Sports Day of Tuesday 7th August 1888 ran a limited rugby sevens tournament consisting of 3 teams, noted as:- Upholland F.C.; Highfield F.C.; and St. Helen’s Recreation (R. Langley’s team). Upholland was given a bye to the final; and Highfield and St. Helens Recreation played off in a semi final. Evidently before the semi-final, it was agreed – or implicit by the refereeing – that a winner had to win by at least 3 clear points. At the end of the match, Highfield led by 2 points. The referee instead declared a draw, but Highfield claimed a win and left the field. The referee was having none of this; and ordered St. Helens Recreation to play on in a ‘golden goal’ decider format. Since the Highfield players were not on the field, the St. Helens Rec team ran in the easiest try; and then secured the simplest of conversions. St. Helens Recreation went into the final buoyed and beat Upholland by 2 goals to 1 – to win 7 silver medals. It should be noted that these sides were still nominally playing rugby union as this was before the Rugby League split of 1895. This event was the 11th annual Rainford Athletic Sports Day, however none of their earlier events hosted a rugby sevens tournament, and all purely concentrated on athletics. It’s subsequent events, from 1889 onwards, dropped the rugby sevens tournament and so again just concentrated on athletics.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002610/18880811/104/0008

Hexham Whitsuntide Sports

Hexham, a town in Northumberland, is less than 30 miles from the Scottish Border. Connected with the Hexham Whitsuntide Sports day, there was a rugby sevens event held on Monday 21 May 1894.

Originally it was planned that a star attraction would be the Hawick rugby club to the sevens event. From the Newcastle Daily Chronicle of 18 May 1894:

Seven A-side Competition at Hexham.—The committee of the Hexham Whitsuntide Sports have arranged to have a seven ‘a-side rugby football competition at their annual gathering to be held at the Seal, at Hexham, on Monday. The competition is open to all playing members affiliated with organized clubs. The prizes offered are seven gold medals, valued at a guinea each for the successful team. Already the secretaries (Messrs M. Green and J. T. Metcalfe) have received entries from several teams comprised of Tynedale players, and have been in negotiation with several other clubs in Durham and Northumberland, from which In all probability they will receive entries. The Hawick football club have decided to send their crack team to engage In this competition. and their season’s record is a very creditable one, having won all the seven aside competitions around their district, four in number, and have scored 121 points against their opponents’ six in these competitions. All the members of this team played in the South of Scotland versus Northumberland match, in November last, when the Scottish team armed such a victory.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001634/18940518/089/0007

SEVEN A SIDE COMPETITION AT HEXHAM. This competition was held in connection with the Whitsuntide sports, and was brought off on the Seal, Hexham, Monday. Six teams entered, and the entrants hailed from the Blaydon, Hawick, and Hexham districts. The conditions were that each game composed two periods of ten minutes each, and if the encounter proved a draw extra time had be played until the contest was decided. Mr. Wm. French acted as referee, and Messrs Geo. Robson and Jos. Howe were touch judges throughout the competition. The draw for the first round resulted as follows:—Hawick v. Tynedale (B), Hexham Unionists v. Tyneside Wanderers (B), Tynedale (A) v. Tyneside Wanderers (A). Hawick failed to put in an appearance and the Tynedale team were awarded the tie. The Hexham Unionists then met the Blaydon team, named the Tyneside Wanderers (B). J. Hopper began the game for the Unionists, and after some capital play game resulted in favour of the Unionists by two goals to none. Tynedale (A) then opposed the other Blaydon combination, but after a tough struggle were defeated by a goal to a try team by the A team of the Tyneside Wanderers. The draw for semi-finals resulted in the Unionists coming against the Tyneside Wanderers, and the Tynedale team receiving the bye. The semi-final resulted in a win for the Unionists by a try. The Tynedale B team easily beat the Unionists in the final by the score of three goals (one dropped) and a try to nothing. The winning team wore:—Back, J. Fell; three-quarter backs, J and F. Thomson; half back, W. Elliott; forwards, D. McComb, T.A.J. Anderson, and Spencer.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002978/18940526/042/0003

It may have been the lack of official blessing by the English Rugby Union or the Northumberland Rugby Union that prevented the Hawick side attending the Hexham Whitsuntide sevens tournament.

Sevens hiatus in England

As Scotland shares a border with England to the south; and Sevens originated in the south of Scotland at Melrose; and was popular throughout the Scottish Border towns – it may be a surprise that the next Sevens tournament in England was nearly thirty years after that the last Hexham Whitsuntide match with rugby sevens on 21 May 1894.

Why the delay in the Sevens game moving south to England? After all, Scots had taken Sevens to New Zealand and Argentina; both having tournaments before any – outwith the Chorley matches – in England.

The delay was caused by the English Rugby Football Union. English rugby sides, particularly those close to the Scottish border, knew that Sevens were popular in Scotland and were keen to try out their own tournaments.

Hexham, no doubt buoyed by the Whitsuntide Sports in 1894, tried to get official blessing for another Sevens event. On 24 February 1896 the Northumberland Rugby Union, in committee, read out a letter from Hexham Company of Volunteers Sports Committee. The Hexham sports club was asking for permission to run its own rugby sevens tournament (planned for Easter Monday 1896). This was refused:- as it was deemed against the English Rugby Football Union rules; and that the Northumberland Rugby Union did not appear to have the power to grant permission.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001634/18960225/117/0007

Carlisle

Unsurprisingly it was another English border town that first played a full Sevens tournament on 23 April 1921.

Here is the report from the Hawick Express of 29 April 1921, reporting from the tournament:

CARLISLE SEVEN-A-SIDE SPORTS.
Hawick “B’ in the Final.

An interesting series of Rugby football Seven-a-Side games and other sports, organised by the Carlisle Rugby Football Club, took place on the Warwick Road Rugby ground on Saturday afternoon, in presence of large gathering of spectators. This was the first occasion upon which a seven-a-side Rugby oompetition had been ployed in Carlisle, the English Rugby Union having just recently sanctioned the paying of this particular style of football. Play in most of the contests was fast and exciting, and the general impression was that these competitions, so popular on the Scottish Borders, are likely to become equally so on the English side of the Border. An exciting final was provided by Carlisle “A” and Hawick “B,” the Cumbrians winning by one point. It was a great game, and there were few dull moments, thrill following thrill with great rapidity.

Hawick ” B” beat Carlisle “B by two goals and a try (13 points) to nil, in the first round. Tries were scored by L. Stoddart (2) and Davies. Turnbull placed the goals. In the second round Hawick B” beat Langholm Onceweres by two tries (6 points) to nil, the tries being scored by W. Marchbanks. In the semi-final, Hawick ” B” beat Aspatria by three tries (9 points) to one try (3 points). The trygetters for the winners were Marchbanks, Davies, and Turnbull. In the final Carlisle “A” defeated Hawick “B” by a dropped goal and a try (7 points) against two tries (6 points). Carlisle ‘s dropped goal was obtained by Sewell, and Graham secured the try. Russell and Turnbull were the scorers for Hawick “B”.

The teams in the final were:—Carlisle ” A ” — J. Baty; H. W. Mawson; H. Graham, A. Bewell; T. Cavaghan, J. Halstead, and V. Shaw. Hawick “B” – L. Stoddart; S. Russell; C. Scott; W. Marchbank; D. S. Davies; G. Turnbull, T. Wright. Gold medals were presented to the winning team, and silver medals to the runners-up. Mr Adam Turnbull, Hawick was one of the referees.

The Mayor of Carlisle (Mr H. K. Campbell) presented the medals. He was glad, of course. that Carlisle had won, and they had evidently benefited by their visit to Hawick a week or two ago. He believed this was the first seven-a-side contest in England.

Mr W. A. Graham, in proposing a vote of thanks to the Mayor for his presence and interest, said the Carlisle Club had had everything to learn, but Hawick gave them a good lesson a fortnight ago, and they had benefited by that to-day.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001168/19210901/074/0003

Percy Park

The first English autumn tournament came that same year, played in Tyne and Wear at Percy Park RFC again with more than two sides. In fact, Scottish sides were invited; their proficiency at Sevens resulting in a Selkirk versus Melrose final – with Selkirk winning the title.

The Percy Park Sevens did bill itself as the first Seven a side tournament in England (it seems the Chorley matches and the Rainford Athletics 3-side tournament were unknown to Percy Park; or these limited events were not deemed as proper ‘tournaments’; Warrington F.C. now a rugby league side; the Hexham Whitsuntide Sports sevens tournament as unofficial; and the Carlisle tournament either unknown – or a viewed as a Scottish extension). They came about as a Northumberland referee, T. H. Moss, and the Percy Park president, Hampton Vic, met and hatched a plan; the Northumberland referee had experience of refereeing some Sevens matches in the Scottish Borders.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001168/19210901/074/0003

Rockcliff

A Sevens tournament was played at Whitley Bay at Rockcliff RFC’s Whitley Hill Heads ground on 17 April 1922, Easter Monday. Some 3,000 spectators went to watch. It was noted that Percy Park fielded a weakened side as their 1st XV played Egremount at Preston Avenue that Saturday. It was thought that because of weakened teams in the Sevens tournament that the attendance would be low and it was remarked that the 3,000 fans were quite pleasing to organisers. Rockcliff’s new grandstand was opened on that day. North Durham beat Rockcliff in the final.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001168/19220418/113/0004

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001168/19220418/099/0003

King’s Own Scottish Borderers

The King’s Own Scottish Borderer’s Sevens was an occasional Scottish Sevens tournament run by the infantry regiment, rotated around the Scottish Borders towns. However in 26 August 1922 they played their tournament in Berwick upon Tweed; no doubt taking advantage of the relaxing of the English Rugby Union’s attitude to rugby sevens.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000470/19220829/123/0008

Planned tournaments not played

The Northumberland Rugby Union planned a Sevens tournament for the county to take place in September 1922. They planned a stripped down event; noting that the Percy Park Sevens had too many entrants. Only Northumberland teams could enter; and the tournament would be played at Gosforth – I can find no details that the tournament was played.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000470/19220829/123/0008

Hartlepool’s Gray’s Recreation Association looked at running a Sevens tournament in September 1922 but it was cancelled due to insufficient entries.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000378/19220901/061/0002

A Sevens tournament was due to be held at Carlisle on 28 April 1923 – I can find no details that the tournament was played.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000687/19230421/476/0020

Percy Park RFC lined up another Sevens due for either 8 or 15 September 1923. I can find no details that the tournament was played; and it looks as if this was not played as the club decided to delay the start of their season.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001168/19230727/092/0003

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001168/19230910/112/0003

West and Technical

The Hartlepool region tried again to have another Sevens tournament. The newly amalgamated club of West and Technical RFC planned a tournament of 8 teams, featuring 4 local teams on the 1 September 1923. The tournament was to celebrate their analmagation; that newly founded club today is now known as West Hartlepool.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000378/19230828/058/0004

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000378/19230831/036/0002

This time the tournament was played; Percy Park and North Durham met in the final – with North Durham winning the tournament with more pace and skill.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000687/19230903/100/0003

Clifton

The Clifton rugby club of Bristol had a Sevens match on the 29 March 1924. It pitted the club against their old members. No details of the match are provided; but it is noted that a series of matches did take place.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000264/19240328/003/0003

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000264/19240331/030/0006

Old Dixonians

Old Dixonians of Birmingham had their Sevens on 18 October 1924. Billed as the ‘Scotch game’, the subsequent report of the tournament in the Sports Argus newspaper was less than complementary – although it was conceded that Sevens improves passing, it was found to magnify faults in the player’s game.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000669/19240913/230/0008

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000653/19241025/097/0008

Middlesex

It was a Scot, Dr. J. A. Russell-Cargill, that founded the Middlesex Sevens – first played in 1926 – which became England’s premier Sevens tournament.

It was the Middlesex club that formally requested that the English Rugby Union allow rugby sevens matches. This formal request was granted on 26 June 1925; leading to the 1926 tournament being the first to be officially sanctioned in England by the union.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000329/19250627/004/0002