Our American friend, Herb Howell, continues his tour of North and Mid Wales and kindly sends us his latest offering.
Pictured at the Welshpool and Llanfair Railway.
The game or rugger, rugby football, or Rugby Union has certainly changed a great deal from its early beginnings in the 1800s. There have been many variations, even before some single-minded Rugby School student picked up the ball and ran through the opposition. In those days, that might have been even criminal, but people were so shocked that it might have been criminal, but they could not respond!
Certainly, rugby had moved well beyond the mob matches of village v. village with a huge ball, (of sorts), no rules and a smallish river in between the sides. Rugby was a winter sport, in shorts, and often played on a soggy cricket pitch.!
Recent travels to Scotland and Yorkshire have produced some fascinating reading, some ancient team photos and a supreme drawing of a 1895 match that appears to be England v. France, It hangs in a pub (an old Corm Mill) in North wales, which I discovered while heading north.
First, is the ball, which began as an animal bladder and declined to an unpredictable shape from a oval to however it was destined to evolve. The Gilberts produced some form of uniformity from Rugby (town) in England, by using high quality leather and hand stitching. But, time, water, mud and constant fetal impacts and other forms of abuse, brought that oval to an almost round state, as I recall. That was true to form well into the 1960’s and 70’s!
In those days, one primary use of the ball was to kick and foot dribble the ball ahead, by the forwards, instead of risking a handling error with ball in and out of hand. The fast/ quick ruck ball of today, had not yet found the drawing board!
Point totals were usually much lower than in today’s matches! There are many reasons than just on math alone. In early those days and into the late 60’s, a try was worth but three points. I am old enough to have scored a three point try in my first match. The drop kick was worth four points in the early days as it was seen as very difficult to achieve- worth more than a try! Bring it back!
There was no lifting in lineouts, except when the referee was looking elsewhere. That became a refined art of binding!
Jumpers, or rugby jerseys have changed significantly with the advent of synthetic fabrics that don’t retain water, (and weight) the way the old ones used to do. The new styles are worn much tighter and aid tighter binding in the scrums. In addition, those newer fabrics, are most difficult to grasp and tackle someone with. Then the runner might more easily slip away and score, under the posts!
Tackle laws have changed significantly in the interest of safety. High necktie tackles can bring penalties, yellow cards, red cards, warnings, and suspensions, depending on the referee’s perspective, previous warning and judgement or mood!
Some early archives mention names of locally esteemed gentlemen who were to blow the whistle. Often, in those early days, it was a local vicar who was chosen to be the arbiter. After all, who was to challenge the man of the cloth and his integrity?
The enduring constants of rugby is the spirit of the game, the loyalty of the followers, and the tight links to each village and community that supports the local rugby club and its various teams! These are tight affiliations that can only be challenged by brotherhood, sisterhood and family ties!
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