1920 Great Britain Lions tour

The 1920 Great Britain Lions tour was the third British national rugby league team or 'Lions' tour of Australasia, where it was winter and matches were played against the Australian and New Zealand national sides, as well as several local teams. In Australia, the three-Test match series was won by the hosts. In New Zealand another three-Test series was played and won by the visitors. The tour was a success and brought in a handsome profit.[1]

Touring squad

At the 1919–20 Northern Rugby Football Union season's conclusion, the following Great Britain squad was assembled by the Northern Rugby Football Union to represent it on the tour of Australasia. Mr S Foster and Mr J Wilson were the team managers. Although it was a Great Britain tour, the team played as 'England' during the games.

England Joe Bowers, forward for Rochdale Hornets Joe Cartwright, hooker for Leigh Douglas Clark, forward for Huddersfield Billy Cunliffe, forward for Warrington Joe Doyle, three-quarter back for Barrow Frank Gallagher, forward for Dewsbury Herman Hilton, forward for Oldham Arthur Johnson, forward for Widnes Ernest Jones, half back for Rochdale Hornets Alf Milnes, hooker for Halifax Jonty Parkin, half back for Wakefield Trinity William Reid, forward for Widnes Arthur Skelhorne, forward for Warrington Cyril Stacey, fullback for Halifax Squire Stockwell, three-quarter back for Leeds Billy Stone, three-quarter back for Hull Harold Wagstaff (captain), three-quarter back for Huddersfield Alf Wood, fullback for Oldham

Wales Jim Bacon, three-quarter back for Leeds Evan Davies, three-quarter back for Oldham Ben Gronow, forward for Huddersfield Danny Hurcombe, three-quarter back for Wigan Bobby Lloyd, half back for Halifax George Rees, player for Leeds Johnny Rogers, half back for Huddersfield Gwyn Thomas (vice-captain), fullback for Huddersfield

Australia

The first leg of the tour was Australia, where the game of rugby league football was in its twelfth year since splitting away from rugby union in 1908. The tour included places such as Orange, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Toowoomba and Tamworth as well as the standard main venues of Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney and Ipswich.[2]

Test venues

The three Ashes series tests took place at the following venues.

Brisbane	Sydney	Sydney
Brisbane Exhibition Ground	Sydney Cricket Ground	Royal Agricultural Showground
Capacity: 35,000	Capacity: 60,000	Capacity: 50,000

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The opening match of the tour on 5 June took place between rounds 5 and 6 of the fifteen-round 1920 NSWRFL season, and saw a Metropolis (Sydney) team host the tourists at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Saturday, 5 June

Metropolis	20 – 27	Northern Union
Tries: Harold Horder (3), George McGowan Goals: Harold Horder (3) Charles Fraser (1)	Database Program	Tries: Johnny Rogers (2), Squire Stockwell (2), Arthur 'Chick' Johnson Goals: Ben Gronow (6)

Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney Attendance: 65,000 Referee: Tom McMahon Sr.

In front of an overflow crowd of 65,000 the visitors ran out 27-20 winners.

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Wednesday, 9 June

Orange	8 – 50	Northern Union
Tries: T. Dalton (2) Goals: C. Plowman (1)	Database Report[3]	Tries: Jim Bacon (4), Danny Hurcombe (2), William Reid, Joe Bowers, Joe Doyle, Herman Hilton, Cyril Stacey Goals: Alf Wood (7)

Wade Park, Orange Attendance: 3,000 Referee: E. Allen

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As the preliminary match to the New South Wales versus Britain game on 12 June, Sydney University's first intervarsity match against Queensland University under rugby league rules was played before a crowd of 60,000.[4][5] Sydney won 26-14.

Saturday, 12 June

New South Wales	42 – 6	Northern Union
Tries: Frank Burge (2), Charles Fraser, Herb Gilbert, Reg Latta, George McGowan, Sandy Pearce, Jack 'Junker' Robinson Goals: Frank Burge (9)	Database Program	Tries: Goals: Ben Gronow (3)

Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney Attendance: 60,000 Referee: Tom Dickenson

Albert Johnston captained New South Wales in two matches against the visiting Lions.[6]

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Wednesday, 16 June

New South Wales	10 – 18	Northern Union
Tries: Viv Farnsworth, Jack 'Junker' Robinson Goals: Charles Fraser (1) Ray Norman (1)	Database Program	Tries: Herman Hilton, William Reid Goals: Ben Gronow (6)

Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney Attendance: 55,000 Referee: Tom McMahon Sr.

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Saturday, 19 June

Queensland	15 – 25	Northern Union
Tries: Neville Broadfoot, Walter Paten, Bill Richards Goals: Henry Fewin (1) Walter Paten (1) Bill Richards (1)		Tries: Jim Bacon (4), Squire Stockwell Goals: Ben Gronow (5)

Brisbane Exhibition Ground, Brisbane Attendance: 20,000 Referee: Laurie Kearney

On Saturday, 19 June, the tourists played a match against Queensland before a crowd of around 20,000 at the Brisbane Exhibition Ground.[7] The Queensland side featured Mick Bennett, Neville Broadfoot, Jeff Daly, Harry Fewin, Thomas Johnson, Jack Maguire, Patrick Moran, Claud O'Donnell, Walter Paten, Norm Potter, Bill Richards, Stan Ryan, E. Sabine, Colin Thompson, and J. Thompson.[8] The British team was F G Thomas, J A Bacon, J Doyle, H Wagstaff, F Stockwell, R Lloyd, J Rogers, H Hilton, W Reid, G Rees, R Gronow, E Milnes and E Johnston. Refereed by L H Kearney, the visitors, after leading 13-10 at half-time, won the game 25-15.[9]

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Monday, 21 June

Wide Bay	13 – 34	Northern Union
Tries: J. Bradley, F. Heidke, W. Marles Goals: A. Toft (2)	Database Report[10]	Tries: Harold Wagstaff (2), Jim Bacon, Herman Hilton, Jonty Parkin, Squire Stockwell, Billy Stone Goals: Ben Gronow (5)

The Reserve, Bundaberg Attendance: 4,000 Referee: Les Tallon

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Tuesday, 22 June

Central Queensland	15 – 26	Northern Union
Tries: C. Bannon, T. Barnes, G. Price Goals: D. McIvor (3)	Database Report[11]	Tries: Billy Cunliffe, Evan Davies, Ernest Jones, William Reid, Arthur Skelhorne, Squire Stockwell Goals: Alf Wood (4)

George Street Ground, Rockhampton Referee: W. Thorpe

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Thursday, 24 June

Ipswich	12 – 40	Northern Union
Tries: Jim McBrien, Colin Thompson Goals: Walter Paten (3)	Database Report[12]	Tries: Joe Doyle (2), Cyril Stacey (2), Squire Stockwell (2), Jim Bacon, Bobby Lloyd, William Reid Goals: Ben Gronow (3) Alf Wood (2)

North Ipswich Reserve, Ipswich Attendance: 5,000 Referee: H. Francis

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First test

The first test of the 1920 Ashes series was played on the 26th of June at the Brisbane Exhibition Ground before a crowd of 32,000. It was refereed by local whistleblower Laurie Kearney.[13] Albert Johnston was selected to captain Australia in the opening Test of the series in the absence of champion centre Herb Gilbert. Despite a last minute reshuffling of the team which saw Johnston move to halfback.[6]

Saturday, 26 June

Australia	8 – 4	Northern Union
Tries: Frank Burge Charles Fraser Goals: Harold Horder (1)	[14]	Tries: Goals: Ben Gronow (2)

Brisbane Exhibition Ground, Brisbane Attendance: 32,000 Referee: Laurie Kearney

Australia	Posit.	Northern Union
Harry Fewin	FB	Gwyn Thomas
Dick Vest	WG	Billy Stone
Viv Farnsworth	CE	Danny Hurcombe
Neville Broadfoot	CE	Harold Wagstaff (c)
Harold Horder	WG	Jim Bacon
Charles Fraser	SO	Johnny Rogers
Albert Johnston (c)	SH	Jonty Parkin
Norm Potter	PR	Arthur Johnson
Sandy Pearce	HK	Alf Milnes
Bill Schultz	PR	Ben Gronow
Bill Richards	SR	Frank Gallagher
Frank Burge	SR	Herman Hilton
Bert Gray	LF	Douglas Clark

Australia won the match 8-4.[15]

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Monday, 28 June

Toowoomba	28 – 48	Northern Union
Tries: Edwin Brown, G. Hawthorne, L. Melbusch, Fred Prouton, W. Smith Goals: Fred Prouton (3) Edwin Brown (2)	Database Report[16]	Tries: Billy Stone (5), Harold Wagstaff (2), William Reid, Cyril Stacey, Squire Stockwell Goals: Alf Wood (9)

Athletic Oval, Toowoomba Attendance: 3,000 Referee: J. Steele

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Second test

Albert Johnston lost the Australian captaincy on Herb Gilbert's return and played at five-eighth in the second Ashes Test.[6] The match was played on the 3rd of July at the Sydney Cricket Ground and attracted 67,739 spectators, then a record attendance for any sport at the SCG.[17]

Saturday, 3 July

Australia	21 – 8	Northern Union
Tries: Viv Farnsworth Herb Gilbert Harold Horder Norm Potter Dick Vest Goals: Frank Burge (1) Harold Horder (1) Field Goals: Charles Fraser	Database Program	Tries: Frank Gallagher Arthur Johnson Goals: Ben Gronow (1)

Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney Attendance: 40,000 Referee: Tom McMahon Sr.

Australia	Posit.	Northern Union
Charles Fraser	FB	Gwyn Thomas
Dick Vest	WG	Jim Bacon
Viv Farnsworth	CE	Harold Wagstaff (c)
Herb Gilbert (c)	CE	Danny Hurcombe
Harold Horder	WG	Billy Stone
Albert Johnston	SO	Johnny Rogers
Duncan Thompson	SH	Bobby Lloyd
Bill Schultz	PR	Ben Gronow
Sandy Pearce	HK	Alf Milnes
Norm Potter	PR	Arthur Johnson
Frank Burge	SR	Herman Hilton
Bert Gray	SR	Douglas Clark
Bill Richards	LF	Frank Gallagher

Australian halfback Duncan Thompson starred in the match,[18] which was won by the hosts 21-8.[15] With this Australia secured the Ashes for the first time on home soil.

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Wednesday, 7 July

Tamworth	10 – 27	Northern Union
Tries: H Hassan, Ted Taplin Goals: J Orchard (2)	Database Report[19]	Tries: Jonty Parkin (3), Evan Davies (2), Frank Gallagher, Herman Hilton Goals: Ben Gronow (3)

Tamworth Oval, Tamworth Attendance: 3,000 Referee: H. Flynn

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Third test

The third Test was played on the 10th of July in Sydney, with Great Britain winning 23-13.[15]

Saturday, 10 July

Australia	13 – 23	Northern Union
Tries: Frank Burge Bert Gray Duncan Thompson Goals: Frank Burge (2)	Database Program	Tries: Herman Hilton (2) Billy Stone (2) Jim Bacon Goals: Johnny Rogers (3) Squire Stockwell (1)

RAS Showground, Sydney Attendance: 32,000 Referee: Tom McMahon Sr.

Australia	Posit.	Northern Union
Charles Fraser	FB	Gwyn Thomas (c)
Dick Vest	WG	Johnny Rogers
Viv Farnsworth	CE	Billy Stone
Herb Gilbert (c)	CE	Jim Bacon
Harold Horder	WG	Squire Stockwell
Albert Johnston	SO	Ernest Jones
Duncan Thompson	SH	Jonty Parkin
Norm Potter	PR	Arthur Skelhorne
Sandy Pearce	HK	Joe Cartwright
Bill Schultz	PR	Billy Cunliffe
Frank Burge	SR	Herman Hilton
Bert Gray	SR	Douglas Clark
Bill Richards	LF	Frank Gallagher

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Wednesday, 25 August

Newcastle	10 – 17	Northern Union
Tries: P. Gray, H. Williams Goals: Dan Davies (1) H. Williams (1)	Database Report[20][21]	Tries: Jonty Parkin (2), Jim Bacon, Evan Davies, Danny Hurcombe Goals: Arthur Johnson (1)

Newcastle Showgrounds, Newcastle Attendance: 2,000 Referee: E. Brien

The British also played two matches against a Newcastle rugby league team that featured Dan "Laddo" Davies.[22] The first game was on the 25th of August and the tourists won 17-10. The second was on the 28th which they also won 24-3.[23]

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Saturday, 28 August

Newcastle	3 – 24	Northern Union
Tries: William Bell Goals:	Database Report[24]	Tries: Bobby Lloyd, Evan Davies, Ben Gronow, Herman Hilton, Ernest Jones Goals: Ben Gronow (3)

Newcastle Number 1 Sports Ground, Newcastle Attendance: 12,000 Referee: E. Brien

New Zealand

The British team played a three-Test series against New Zealand just as it did against Australia. Karl Ifwerson captained the Kiwis against the tourists.[25]

After losing their first game to Auckland, the tourists won all three Tests.[26]

In the Test at Wellington, the British were behind on the scoreboard 10-0, but made it 10-6 before Douglas Clark forced his way over the line for the match-winning try which Ben Gronow converted, giving the visitors an 11-10 victory.[27]

The second Test was played in Christchurch on Saturday, 7 August, and was won by the tourists 19 points to 3.[28]

References

1. Tony Collins (2006). Rugby League in Twentieth Century Britain: A Social and Cultural History. UK: Routledge. p. 23. ISBN 9781134221455. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
2. "Cheapening the Jumper". stevericketts.com.au. Stve Ricketts. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
3. "Football - England v. Orange". Orange Leader. Orange: National Library of Australia. 11 Jun 1920. p. 4. Retrieved 16 Nov 2020.
4. Geoffrey Sherington & Steve Georgakis (2008). Sydney University Sport 1852-2007: More Than a Club. Australia: Sydney University Press. p. 172. ISBN 9781920898915. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
5. New South Wales Rugby Football League. (1920). "Programme - Queensland University v. Sydney University". The Rugby League News. Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League (Vol. 1 No. 7 (12 June 1920)). nla.obj-626757719. Retrieved 14 Nov 2020 – via Trove.
6. Whiticker, Alan. "Albert Johnston". rugbyleagueproject.org. Shawn Dollin, Andrew Ferguson and Bill Bates. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
7. "League Football: England team at Brisbane". Dominion (228). Press Association. 21 June 1920. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
8. "Queensland Representative Players". qrl.com.au. Queensland Rugby League. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
9. "British Team: League footballers defeat Queensland". The Sydney Morning Herald. 21 June 1920. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
10. "Football - England v. Wide Bay". Bundaberg Mail. Bundaberg: National Library of Australia. 22 Jun 1920. p. 4. Retrieved 16 Nov 2020.
11. "English Footballers". The Morning Bulletin. Rockhampton: National Library of Australia. 23 Jun 1920. p. 6. Retrieved 16 Nov 2020.
12. "A Record Attendance". The Queensland Times. Ipswich: National Library of Australia. 25 Jun 1920. p. 5. Retrieved 16 Nov 2020.
13. "Representative Referees". brlrefs.com. Brisbane Rugby League Referees Association. Archived from the original on 2014-08-22. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
14. 1st Ashes Test
15. "Australia v Great Britain: the history". news.bbc.co.uk. BBC. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
16. "The Match". The Toowoomba Chronicle. Toowoomba: National Library of Australia. 29 Jun 1920. p. 7. Retrieved 16 Nov 2020.
17. "SCG Timelines". sydneycricketground.com.au. Sydney Cricket Ground. Archived from the original on 27 August 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
18. Whiticker, Alan. "Duncan Thompson". rugbyleagueproject.org. Shawn Dollin, Andrew Ferguson and Bill Bates. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
19. "England Wins". Daily Observer (Tamworth). Tamworth: National Library of Australia. 8 Jul 1920. p. 1. Retrieved 16 Nov 2020.
20. "England v. Newcastle". Newcastle Morning Herald. Newcastle: National Library of Australia. 25 Aug 1920. p. 5. Retrieved 16 Nov 2020.
21. "Football - League Game". Newcastle Morning Herald. Newcastle: National Library of Australia. 26 Aug 1920. p. 3. Retrieved 16 Nov 2020.
22. "Team of the Century". westrosellas.com.au. Western Suburbs Rosellas. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
23. "1920 – 1929". newcastlerugbyleague.com.au. Newcastle Rugby League. Archived from the original on 7 February 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
24. "Saturday's Football". Newcastle Morning Herald. Newcastle: National Library of Australia. 30 Aug 1920. p. 3. Retrieved 16 Nov 2020.
25. Tony Collins (2009). A Social History of English Rugby Union. UK: Routledge. p. 170. ISBN 9781134023356. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
26. John Coffey & Bernie Wood (2008). 100 Years: Māori Rugby League, 1908-2008. New Zealand: Huia Publishers. p. 73. ISBN 9781869693312. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
27. "Douglas Clark". huddersfieldrlheritage.co.uk. Huddersfield Rugby League Heritage Project. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
28. "Rugby League: England defeats New Zealand". The Sydney Morning Herald. 10 August 1920. Retrieved 24 August 2014.