Archivist’s Account

Archivist’s Account Early Rugby at The Perse

Rugby began at The Perse in the 1870s, stimulated by the first inter-varsity match (1871), but association football was also played, and was the more dominant game for almost three decades. Confusion over the rules sometimes ensued when rugby and soccer matches alternated.

In late 2019, we approached the Perse rugby community to ask for memorabilia to fill in the gaps in our archive and contribute to a display. Thank you so much to everybody who got in touch!

FROM TOP: 1ST XV RUGBY SHIRT, LATE 1980S, OP XV SHIRT, EARLY 1990S, BOTH WITH THANKS TO MARK PADEN (1988); 1ST XV RUGBY SHIRT, 1970S, WITH THANKS TO MICHAEL POOLES (1974) I n 1903 the Debating Society argued whether ‘Rugby Football should take the place of Association Football’. The verdict was yes, by 24 votes to 11, but not until 1908 did rugby replace soccer as the main winter sport. Concern for public school status may have contributed to the decision: soccer began to be perceived in some circles as a working-class game, and Dr Rouse wanted to recruit the sons of socially aware dons.

The change was welcomed, although enthusiasm may have been dented in the first season when, as The Pelican records, the team ‘was absolutely thrashed’ 103–0 by Elstow Grammar School. An anonymous article also poked fun, in a skilful parody of Homer’s style. Odysseus’s slaughter of the Suitors comes to mind as we read of the ‘prowling beggar’ and ‘the stranger with the goodly calves’, while players are given pseudo-Homeric names and attributes: ‘he of the wooden head’, ‘Tall Titeros, nine miles high’, or Ionios, ‘deadly foe of all men’s shins’.

Perse teams were usually smaller and lighter than their opponents, especially when enduring ‘severe beatings’ against college teams, and in the early days there were frequent references to players being ‘smashed up’, or out with broken collar bones. But performance improved, and by 1914 the school recorded as many wins as defeats. In 1921 seven Perseans played for the Combined Public Schools teams, and in 1923 the XV amassed 435 points to 150 in a season that produced 15 wins from 21 matches. In 1929 R. Jones played for Wales.

Team critiques appeared early on in The Pelican, with hints of methods of play more akin to soccer, such as ‘dribbling rushes’. The 1924 captain, presumably bespectacled off the field, was ‘apt to pass thoughtlessly, perhaps … due to his eyesight’. The 1919 full back was urged to ‘use his head more, instead of acting according to the supporters’ instructions’. A New Zealand formation was copied in that season, and in 1931 the attacking play of the South Africans was commended.

Rugby was played in both winter terms until 1941 when Hockey became the Lent term game. However, despite the consequent reduced practice, the team of 1951 was the best for nearly 30 years, winning 10 of 11 games and scoring 164 points to 9. The 1958 team was also impressive, going six consecutive games with a clean sheet and in ten games scoring 185 points to 12.

By 1965 there was a full range of teams, junior to senior, and subsequent tougher fixtures included boarding schools such as Oakham, Culford and

Gresham’s. In the 1980s, under the guidance of Hugh Vodden, foreign tours were taken, and thorough preparation included pre-season training camps. This professional approach is now an established part of Perse rugby. The tale of outstanding individual players requires a separate article.

David Jones joined The Perse in 1974 as a history teacher and was House Tutor at School House until 1982. He retired from teaching in 2008, but has continued at the School in his role as Archivist.