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MATCH REPORT : ST HELENS V MANCHESTER RANGERS 6 SEPTEMBER 1890 The first match was played on the new St. Helens ground at Knowsley Road. A beautiful afternoon’s a good augury of success for the St. Helens Club. The distance to the ground is a serious disadvantage to the Club, but on this occasion the Recs were away from home and a fair attendance probably between 2000 and 3000 lining the enclosure. There had been many rumours afloat as to whether their crack three-quarter Tom Sudlow would be playing for them this season, but he doubts were all settled when Sudlow entered the enclosure with the rest of the team. Their opponents were Manchester Rangers who were a very strong team last season. They were not fully represented last Saturday as six of their first team were unable to play. Their substitutes, however, were excellent players. Lt. Colonel Wilcox, who is the Chairman of the Saints’ Committee, kicked off for the homesteads. The oval was soon in play and the rugby proved to be fast and exciting. Billy Cross picked up from a scrummage in the Rangers’s 25 and dropped a goal, the first major point of the season. A good dribble by the Manchester forwards ended in the sacrifice of a minor point.A throw out sent the ball into Joe Bronbill’s hands and he crashed over for a try. His brother, John. Took the place but was unsuccessful. Tom Sudlow and Tommy Flukes showed up in good light and a good run by Ralph Twist sounded another note of victory, but it was only in a minor key. Hal time arrived with the Saints in front by 1 goal 1 try and 2 minors to a solitary minor for the Rangers. In the second half, the Saints were now chiefly occupied in studying the grass at the Rangers’ end, and Tom Sudlow took advantage of a weak kick by Gadd to dodge in near the posts. Alec Borthwick obliged with the conversion. Unsworth was called upon to repel another sharp inroad. Tommy Fouled tried a drop at goal however it just grazed the post and Foulkes uttered a big D. Don’t be alarmed : he merely said, “Dash it!” Time was now rapidly approaching and the Rangers did their best to escape the inevitable duck. The old County player, Herbert Hasleham, and at last Hamnett was successful in going in for an unconverted try. No further marking took place and the Saints had defeated the Platt- Laners. > Score: - St. Helens 2 goals, 1 try and 4 minors to Manchester Rangers 1 try and 1 minor. |
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