| |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VENUE | ATTENDANCE | (HT) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
MATCH REPORT : ST HELENS V BROUGHTON FC 21 APRIL 1894 LANCASHIRE CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY OFF TEST MATCH St. Helens finished the Lancashire Club Championship Second Division as Champions. It was determined that the Saints played the bottom team of the First Division, Broughton FC., for the right to play in the First Division in the 1894/95 campaign. Broughton FC were one of the few remaining ‘gentlemen clubs’ with no working class players in their ranks. They were credited with playing a more open passing style of rugby. The game was played on the Well Street ground in Tyldesley and 1500 supporters had made their way from St. Helens for the contest. Broughton started impressively, with some good attacking combinations, but thyme St. Helens defence held firm. Soon after Billy Cross put Bill Whiteley over for a try with an exquisite pass. This was doubled almost immediately when Bob Doherty popped and fizzed his way over the goal line. Both tries were unconverted and no further scores were recorded before half time. After the resumption of play, the game was keenly fought but the Mancunians failed to turn any aggression into points. The Bill Cross, “the Duke” himself, threw out a splendid long pass to Tom Sudlow who sailed over. From a well-rehearsed move from the base of the scrum, the mercurial Bob Doherty ran his for his second try. Tom Winstanley tried the conversion to no avail. As the end approached, Broughton finally recored some points when right winger Hassell scored under the posts and converted his own try. The Blue and Whites celebrated at the conclusion of affairs, though they would have to wait until the last match of the season ( Widnes at home on April the 30th) to receive the trophy. Never the less the team received a tumultuous reception when they arrived back in town. In particular, the Duke’s very own public house (Duke of Cambridge) was particularly jubilant! Score: St. Helens 12 to Broughton FC 5 |
|---|