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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox football match
{{Infobox football match
| title = 37th Varsity Match
| title = 37th Varsity Match
| other_titles = Poulton's Match
| other_titles = Poulton's Match
| image =
| image =
| event = [[The Varsity Match]]
| event = [[The Varsity Match]]
| team1 = [[Oxford University RFC|Oxford]]
| team1 = [[Oxford University RFC|Oxford]]
| team1association = [[File:Oxford University Coat Of Arms.svg|30px]]
| team1association = [[File:Oxford University Coat Of Arms.svg|30px]]
| team1score = 35
| team1score = 35
| team2 = [[Cambridge University RUFC|Cambridge]]
| team2 = [[Cambridge University R.U.F.C.|Cambridge]]
| team2association = [[File:University of Cambridge coat of arms official.svg|30px]]
| team2association = [[File:University of Cambridge coat of arms.svg|30px]]
| team2score = 3
| team2score = 3
| details =
| details =
| date = {{Start date|1909|12|11}}
| date = {{Start date|1909|12|11|df=y}}
| stadium = [[Queen's Club]]
| stadium = [[Queen's Club]]
| city = London
| city = London
| referee = F. C. Potter-Irwin
| referee = F. C. Potter-Irwin
| attendance = 13,000
| attendance = 12,000
| weather =
| weather =
| previous = 1908 Varsity Match
| previous = 1908 Varsity Match
| next = 1910 Varsity Match
| next = 1910 Varsity Match
}}
}}
The 37th [[The Varsity Match|Varsity Match]], which took place on 11 December 1909, came to be known as '''Poulton's Match'''. The Varsity Match is a [[rugby union|rugby]] match contested annually between [[Oxford University RFC]] and [[Cambridge University R.U.F.C.]] The match was played at [[Queen's Club]] in London. Oxford won by four goals and five tries to one try, with only fourteen men for most of the game. [[Ronald Poulton|Ronnie Poulton]] scored a record five tries.

The 37th [[The Varsity Match|Varsity Match]], which took place on 11 December 1909, came to be known as '''Poulton's Match'''. The Varsity Match is a [[rugby union|rugby]] match contested annually between [[Oxford University RFC]] and [[Cambridge University RUFC]]. The match was played at [[Queen's Club]] in London. Oxford won by four goals and five tries to one try, with only fourteen men for most of the game. [[Ronald Poulton-Palmer|Ronnie Poulton]] scored a record five tries.


==Background==
==Background==
In the run-up to the match, it was anticipated that the Cambridge forwards would impose themselves and prevent the Oxford attack from getting going. The outcome, therefore, would be a close game, with Cambridge the favourites.{{sfn|Corsan|2009|p=167}} Oxford lost three matches in the preceding season, but crucially, in each of them, the captain and flyhalf George Cunningham was absent, and Gotley, the scrumhalf, missed one of them too.{{sfn|Marshall|1951|p=126}} Despite heavy rain for the preceding two days, the ground was firm, which was to the advantage of Oxford's running attack, rather than Cambridge's forwards.{{sfn|Marshall|1951|p=129}}
In the run-up to the 1909 Varsity Match, it was anticipated that the Cambridge forwards would impose themselves and prevent the Oxford attack from getting going. The outcome, therefore, would be a close game, with Cambridge the favourites.{{sfn|Corsan|2009|p=167}} Oxford lost three matches in the preceding season, but crucially, in each of them, the captain and flyhalf George Cunningham was absent, and Gotley, the scrumhalf, missed one of them too.{{sfn|Marshall|1951|p=126}} Despite heavy rain for the preceding two days, the ground was firm, which was to the advantage of Oxford's running attack, rather than Cambridge's forwards.{{sfn|Marshall|1951|p=129}}

== The teams ==
[[George Cunningham (governor)|George Cunningham]] was Oxford's captain in 1909, taking over from [[Harold Hodges]].{{sfn|Corsan|2009|p=165}} He decided to play [[Ronald Poulton-Palmer|Ronnie Poulton]], who had been overlooked in 1908 for the Varsity Match, despite playing several games for Oxford in his fresher year.{{sfn|Corsan|2009|pp=145, 149–150}} In the intervening period, Poulton had played for {{nrut|England}} in the match against {{nrut|France}} on 30 January 1909.{{sfn|Corsan|2009|pp=156–157}} The Oxford forwards had two South Africans, Hands and Honey, as well as the first American to win a Blue, D. G. Herring.{{sfn|Corsan|2009|p=167}}

== The match ==
[[File:Ronald_Poulton-Palmer.jpg|thumb|150px|Ronnie Poulton scored five tries for Oxford]]
Cambridge kicked off and took the initiative, Scholfield coming close to scoring but prevented by Buchanan's tackle.{{sfn|Corsan|2009|p=167}} Soon after, Poulton ran out of a tight corner, evading the Cambridge defence, before passing to Martin, who kicked to touch. In the next play, the ball came down the Oxford back line to Poulton, who ran through the Cambridge defence to score between the posts after just three minutes of play. Cunningham converted. Seven minutes later, Poulton scored his second try. {{sfn|Marshall|1951|p=129}}

Tarr then broke his collarbone in a tackle, and had to leave the field, missing the rest of the game.{{sfn|Corsan|2009|p=169}} Buchanan moved up to centre, with Honey coming out of the forwards to take his place at fullback. Yet with seven men in the pack to Cambridge's full contingent of eight, Oxford out-scrummaged their opponents, giving the backs the opportunity to attack.{{sfn|Marshall|1951|p=128}} Moments later, Martin scored on the right wing, putting Oxford 11 points ahead after the first quarter.{{sfn|Marshall|1951|pp=129–130}}


Oxford now lost a second player, albeit temporarily, after a knee injury to Turner forced him off the field.{{sfn|Corsan|2009|p=169}} Cambridge capitalised with a try through Purves, but were left for the most part to defend. Cunningham was then injured, concussed and missing teeth, but returning to the field just before half time, he began a move with Gotley, which led to Poulton going over for his third try.{{sfn|Corsan|2009|p=169}} Cambridge, who had expected to dominate the forward play, were matched by Oxford, and the Oxford backs threatened to score every time they had the ball.{{sfn|Marshall|1951|p=130}} The score at half time stood 14–3.{{sfn|Poulton|p=177}} The second half was all Oxford's: the forwards won the ball; Gotley fed the backs quick, clean ball from the scrums; and Buchanan performed well at centre. Poulton thus scored two more tries, and Martin a further three.{{sfn|Marshall|1951|p=130}} The match came to be known as "Poulton's Match",{{sfn|Corsan|2009|p=171}} and his record tally of five tries in the Varsity Match still stands today.<ref name=OT140227>{{cite news|author=Little, Reg|title=Tragic death of a rugby superstar|newspaper=The Oxford Times|url=http://www.oxfordtimes.co.uk/news/features/11042100.Tragic_death_of_a_rugby_superstar/|access-date=17 May 2016}}</ref>
==The teams==

{|class="wikitable floatright"
=== Details ===
Source: {{harvtxt|Marshall|1951|p=130}}
{{rugbybox
|date=11 December 1909
|time=
|home=Oxford [[File:Oxford University Coat Of Arms.svg|15px]]
|score=35–3
|away=[[File:University of Cambridge coat of arms.svg|15px]] Cambridge
|report= [https://newspapers.library.wales/view/4212219/4212222 Report]
|try1=[[Ronald Poulton-Palmer|Poulton]] (5), Martin (4)
|con1=[[George Cunningham (governor)|Cunningham]] (2), [[Ronald Lagden|Lagden]] (2)
|pen1=
|drop1=
|try2=Purves
|con2=
|pen2=
|drop2=
|stadium=[[Queen's Club]]
|attendance=12,000
|referee=F. C. Potter-Irwin
}}
{| width=92% |
|-
|-
|{{Football kit
| style="vertical-align:top; width:50%;"|
| pattern_b =_collarwhite
{| style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="0"
| leftarm = 000066
| body = 000066
| rightarm = 000066
| shorts = 000000
| socks = 000000
| title = Oxford
}}
|{{Football kit
|pattern_la =_white_hoops
|pattern_b =_whitehoops
|pattern_ra =_white_hoops
|leftarm =99ccff
|body =99ccff
|rightarm =99ccff
|shorts =ffffff
|socks =000000
| title = Cambridge
}}
|}
{| width="100%" style="font-size: 90%; " cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align=center
|-
|-
| width=41%; text-align=right|
|'''Oxford'''
| width=3%; text-align:right|
| width=4%; text-align:center|
| width=3%; text-align:left|
| width=49%; text-align:left|
|-
|-
|colspan=2; align=right|'''Oxford'''|| ||colspan=2;|'''Cambridge'''
|'''FB''' || F. G. Buchanan
|-
|-
|align=right| F. G. Buchanan ||align=right| FB || ||FB|| M. L. Atkinson
|'''RW''' ||H. Martin
|-
|-
|align=right|H. Martin||align=right|RW|| ||W||J. S. Jones
|'''OC''' ||[[Frank Tarr]]
|-
|-
|align=right| [[Frank Tarr]]||align=right|RC|| ||RC || J. A. Scholfield
|'''IC''' ||C. M. Gilray
|-
|-
|align=right|[[Colin Gilray]]||align=right|LC|| ||LC|| B. H. Holloway
|'''LW''' ||[[Ronald Poulton-Palmer|Ronnie Poulton]]
|-
|-
|align=right|[[Ronald Poulton|Ronnie Poulton]]||align=right|LW|| ||LW|| [[Bryn Lewis]]
|'''FH''' ||[[George Cunningham (governor)|George Cunningham]] (C)
|-
|-
|align=right|[[George Cunningham (governor)|George Cunningham]] (c)||align=right|FH|| ||FH|| [[Alec Ashcroft]]
|'''SH''' ||A. L. H. Gotley
|-
|-
|align=right|[[Anthony Henniker-Gotley]] ||align=right|SH|| ||SH|| C. W. Boyd
|'''F''' ||F. H. Turner
|-
|-
|align=right| [[Frederick Harding Turner]] ||align=right|F|| ||F|| [[William Purves (rugby union)|William Purves]]
|'''F''' ||P. R. Diggle
|-
|-
|align=right| P. R. Diggle ||align=right|F|| ||F|| G. M. Chapman
|'''F''' ||T. Allen
|-
|-
|align=right| T. Allen ||align=right|F|| ||F|| J. V. Fiddian
|'''F''' ||R. W. Evers
|-
|-
|align=right| R. W. Evers ||align=right|F|| ||F|| R. S. Kennedy
|'''F''' ||R. H. M. Hands
|-
|-
|align=right| [[Reginald Hands]] ||align=right|F|| ||F|| [[Rowland Fraser]]
|'''F''' ||D. G. Herring
|-
|-
|align=right| D. G. Herring ||align=right|F|| ||F|| C. L. H. Marburg
|'''F''' ||R. Honey
|-
|-
|align=right| R. Honey ||align=right|F|| ||F|| E. P. Reynolds
|'''F'''||R. O. Lagden
|}
| style="vertical-align:top; width:50%;"|
{| style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="0"
|'''Cambridge'''
|-
|-
|align=right| [[Ronald Lagden]] ||align=right|F|| ||F|| L. H. T. Storey
|'''FB''' ||M. L. Atkinson
|-
|'''RW''' ||J. S. Jones
|-
|'''OC''' ||J. A. Scholfield
|-
|'''IC''' ||B. H. Holloway
|-
|'''LW''' ||B. R. Lewis
|-
|'''FH''' ||A. H. Ashcroft
|-
|'''SH''' ||C. W. Boyd
|-
|'''F''' ||W. D. C. L. Purves
|-
|'''F''' ||G. M. Chapman
|-
|'''F''' ||J. V. Fiddian
|-
|'''F''' ||R. S. Kennedy
|-
|'''F''' ||R. Fraser
|-
|'''F''' ||C. L. H. Marburg
|-
|'''F''' ||E. P. Reynolds
|-
|'''F'''||L. H. T. Storey
|}
|}
|}
[[George Cunningham (governor)|George Cunningham]] was Oxford's captain in 1909, taking over from [[Harold Hodges]].{{sfn|Corsan|2009|p=165}} He decided to play [[Ronald Poulton-Palmer|Ronnie Poulton]], who had been overlooked in 1908 for the Varsity Match, despite playing several games for Oxford in his fresher year.{{sfn|Corsan|2009|pp=145, 149–150}} In the intervening period, Poulton had played for {{nrut|England}} in the match against {{nrut|France}} on 30 January 1909.{{sfn|Corsan|2009|pp=156–157}} The Oxford forwards had two South Africans, Hands and Honey, as well as the first American to win a Blue, D. G. Herring.{{sfn|Corsan|2009|p=167}}


==The match==
== Reaction ==
{{rugbybox
|date=11 December 1909
|time=
|home=Oxford
|score=35–3
|away=Cambridge
|report=
|try1=[[Ronald Poulton-Palmer|Ronnie Poulton]] (5), Martin (4)
|con1=
|pen1=
|drop1=
|try2=Purves
|con2=
|pen2=
|drop2=
|stadium=[[Queen's Club]]
|attendance=13,000
|referee=F. C. Potter-Irwin}}

Cambridge kicked off and took the initiative, Scholfield coming close to scoring but prevented by Buchanan's tackle.{{sfn|Corsan|2009|p=167}} Soon after, Poulton ran out of a tight corner, evading the Cambridge defence, before passing to Martin, who kicked to touch. In the next play, the ball came down the Oxford back line to Poulton, who ran through the Cambridge defence to score between the posts after just three minutes of play. Cunningham converted. Seven minutes later, Poulton scored his second try. {{sfn|Marshall|1951|p=129}}

Tarr then broke his collarbone in a tackle, and had to leave the field, missing the rest of the game.{{sfn|Corsan|2009|p=169}} Buchanan moved up to centre, with Honey coming out of the forwards to take his place at fullback. Yet with seven men in the pack to Cambridge's full contingent of eight, Oxford out-scrummaged their opponents, giving the backs the opportunity to attack.{{sfn|Marshall|1951|p=128}} Moments later, Martin scored on the right wing, putting Oxford 11 points ahead after the first quarter.{{sfn|Marshall|1951|pp=129–130}}

Oxford now lost a second player, albeit temporarily, after a knee injury to Turner forced him off the field. Cambridge capitalised with a try through Purves, but were left for the most part to defend. Cunningham was then injured, concussed and missing teeth, but returning to the field just before half time, he began a move with Gotley, which led to Poulton going over for his third try.{{sfn|Corsan|2009|p=169}} Cambridge, who had expected to dominate the forward play, were matched by Oxford, and the Oxford backs threatened to score every time they had the ball.{{sfn|Marshall|1951|p=130}} The score at half time stood 14–3.{{sfn|Poulton|p=177}} The second half was all Oxford's: the forwards won the ball; Gotley fed the backs quick, clean ball from the scrums; and Buchanan performed well at centre. Poulton thus scored two more tries, and Martin a further three.{{sfn|Marshall|1951|p=130}}

==Reaction==
Poulton's father, Professor [[Edward Bagnall Poulton]] in his biography of his son Ronnie, mentions a comment from an unnamed expert who said that "he had never known one side so completely on the top of another. Even the points scored give an inadequate impression of the difference between the teams..."{{sfn|Poulton|1919|p=178}} The referee, F. C. Potter-Irwin, was quoted in the press as saying it had been the fastest and most spectacular Varsity Match he had ever witnessed.{{sfn|Corsan|2009|p=171}}
Poulton's father, Professor [[Edward Bagnall Poulton]] in his biography of his son Ronnie, mentions a comment from an unnamed expert who said that "he had never known one side so completely on the top of another. Even the points scored give an inadequate impression of the difference between the teams..."{{sfn|Poulton|1919|p=178}} The referee, F. C. Potter-Irwin, was quoted in the press as saying it had been the fastest and most spectacular Varsity Match he had ever witnessed.{{sfn|Corsan|2009|p=171}}


==References==
==See also==
{{Reflist|30em}}


===Bibliography===
===Bibliography===
*{{cite book|last1=Corsan|first1=James|title=For Poulton and England: The Life and Times of an Edwardian Rugby Hero|date=2009|publisher=Matador|location=Leicester|isbn=1848762100|ref=harv}}
* {{cite book|last1=Corsan|first1=James|title=For Poulton and England: The Life and Times of an Edwardian Rugby Hero|date=2009|publisher=Matador|location=Leicester|isbn=978-1848762107}}
* {{cite book|last1=Marshall|first1=Howard Percival|authorlink=Howard Marshall (broadcaster)|title=Oxford v. Cambridge. The story of the University Rugby match|date=1951|publisher=Clerke & Cockeran|location=London|pp=126–130|ref=harv}}
* {{cite book|last1=Marshall|first1=Howard Percival|authorlink=Howard Marshall (broadcaster)|title=Oxford v. Cambridge. The story of the University Rugby match|date=1951|publisher=Clerke & Cockeran|location=London|pages=126–130}}
*{{cite book|last1=Poulton|first1=Edward Bagnall|authorlink1=Edward Bagnall Poulton|title=The Life of Ronald Poulton|date=1919|isbn=9781298548184|chapter=VIII. Rugby Football and Other Sports at Oxford|ref=harv}}
* {{cite book|last1=Poulton|first1=Edward Bagnall|authorlink1=Edward Bagnall Poulton|title=The Life of Ronald Poulton|date=1919|isbn=9781298548184|chapter=VIII. Rugby Football and Other Sports at Oxford|publisher=Creative Media Partners, LLC }}


==External links==
==References==
{{Reflist|20em}}


[[Category:Varsity Rugby]]
[[Category:Cambridge University R.U.F.C.]]
[[Category:Oxford University RFC]]
[[Category:1909–10 in English rugby union]]
[[Category:Rugby union matches]]

Latest revision as of 04:32, 23 October 2024

37th Varsity Match
Poulton's Match
EventThe Varsity Match
Oxford Cambridge
35 3
Date11 December 1909 (1909-12-11)
VenueQueen's Club, London
RefereeF. C. Potter-Irwin
Attendance12,000
← 1908 Varsity Match
1910 Varsity Match →

The 37th Varsity Match, which took place on 11 December 1909, came to be known as Poulton's Match. The Varsity Match is a rugby match contested annually between Oxford University RFC and Cambridge University R.U.F.C. The match was played at Queen's Club in London. Oxford won by four goals and five tries to one try, with only fourteen men for most of the game. Ronnie Poulton scored a record five tries.

Background

[edit]

In the run-up to the 1909 Varsity Match, it was anticipated that the Cambridge forwards would impose themselves and prevent the Oxford attack from getting going. The outcome, therefore, would be a close game, with Cambridge the favourites.[1] Oxford lost three matches in the preceding season, but crucially, in each of them, the captain and flyhalf George Cunningham was absent, and Gotley, the scrumhalf, missed one of them too.[2] Despite heavy rain for the preceding two days, the ground was firm, which was to the advantage of Oxford's running attack, rather than Cambridge's forwards.[3]

The teams

[edit]

George Cunningham was Oxford's captain in 1909, taking over from Harold Hodges.[4] He decided to play Ronnie Poulton, who had been overlooked in 1908 for the Varsity Match, despite playing several games for Oxford in his fresher year.[5] In the intervening period, Poulton had played for England in the match against France on 30 January 1909.[6] The Oxford forwards had two South Africans, Hands and Honey, as well as the first American to win a Blue, D. G. Herring.[1]

The match

[edit]
Ronnie Poulton scored five tries for Oxford

Cambridge kicked off and took the initiative, Scholfield coming close to scoring but prevented by Buchanan's tackle.[1] Soon after, Poulton ran out of a tight corner, evading the Cambridge defence, before passing to Martin, who kicked to touch. In the next play, the ball came down the Oxford back line to Poulton, who ran through the Cambridge defence to score between the posts after just three minutes of play. Cunningham converted. Seven minutes later, Poulton scored his second try. [3]

Tarr then broke his collarbone in a tackle, and had to leave the field, missing the rest of the game.[7] Buchanan moved up to centre, with Honey coming out of the forwards to take his place at fullback. Yet with seven men in the pack to Cambridge's full contingent of eight, Oxford out-scrummaged their opponents, giving the backs the opportunity to attack.[8] Moments later, Martin scored on the right wing, putting Oxford 11 points ahead after the first quarter.[9]

Oxford now lost a second player, albeit temporarily, after a knee injury to Turner forced him off the field.[7] Cambridge capitalised with a try through Purves, but were left for the most part to defend. Cunningham was then injured, concussed and missing teeth, but returning to the field just before half time, he began a move with Gotley, which led to Poulton going over for his third try.[7] Cambridge, who had expected to dominate the forward play, were matched by Oxford, and the Oxford backs threatened to score every time they had the ball.[10] The score at half time stood 14–3.[11] The second half was all Oxford's: the forwards won the ball; Gotley fed the backs quick, clean ball from the scrums; and Buchanan performed well at centre. Poulton thus scored two more tries, and Martin a further three.[10] The match came to be known as "Poulton's Match",[12] and his record tally of five tries in the Varsity Match still stands today.[13]

Details

[edit]

Source: Marshall (1951, p. 130)

11 December 1909
Oxford 35–3 Cambridge
Try: Poulton (5), Martin (4)
Con: Cunningham (2), Lagden (2)		ReportTry: Purves
Queen's Club
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: F. C. Potter-Irwin
Oxford
Cambridge
Oxford Cambridge
F. G. Buchanan FB FB M. L. Atkinson
H. Martin RW W J. S. Jones
Frank Tarr RC RC J. A. Scholfield
Colin Gilray LC LC B. H. Holloway
Ronnie Poulton LW LW Bryn Lewis
George Cunningham (c) FH FH Alec Ashcroft
Anthony Henniker-Gotley SH SH C. W. Boyd
Frederick Harding Turner F F William Purves
P. R. Diggle F F G. M. Chapman
T. Allen F F J. V. Fiddian
R. W. Evers F F R. S. Kennedy
Reginald Hands F F Rowland Fraser
D. G. Herring F F C. L. H. Marburg
R. Honey F F E. P. Reynolds
Ronald Lagden F F L. H. T. Storey

Reaction

[edit]

Poulton's father, Professor Edward Bagnall Poulton in his biography of his son Ronnie, mentions a comment from an unnamed expert who said that "he had never known one side so completely on the top of another. Even the points scored give an inadequate impression of the difference between the teams..."[14] The referee, F. C. Potter-Irwin, was quoted in the press as saying it had been the fastest and most spectacular Varsity Match he had ever witnessed.[12]

See also

[edit]

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Corsan, James (2009). For Poulton and England: The Life and Times of an Edwardian Rugby Hero. Leicester: Matador. ISBN 978-1848762107.
  • Marshall, Howard Percival (1951). Oxford v. Cambridge. The story of the University Rugby match. London: Clerke & Cockeran. pp. 126–130.
  • Poulton, Edward Bagnall (1919). "VIII. Rugby Football and Other Sports at Oxford". The Life of Ronald Poulton. Creative Media Partners, LLC. ISBN 9781298548184.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Corsan 2009, p. 167.
  2. ^ Marshall 1951, p. 126.
  3. ^ a b Marshall 1951, p. 129.
  4. ^ Corsan 2009, p. 165.
  5. ^ Corsan 2009, pp. 145, 149–150.
  6. ^ Corsan 2009, pp. 156–157.
  7. ^ a b c Corsan 2009, p. 169.
  8. ^ Marshall 1951, p. 128.
  9. ^ Marshall 1951, pp. 129–130.
  10. ^ a b Marshall 1951, p. 130.
  11. ^ Poulton, p. 177.
  12. ^ a b Corsan 2009, p. 171.
  13. ^ Little, Reg. "Tragic death of a rugby superstar". The Oxford Times. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  14. ^ Poulton 1919, p. 178.
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