Wigan Album
Wigan Rugby
8 Comments
Photo: Keith
Item #: 23811
It caused a sensation at the time since this was the first defeat the Tourists had suffered on their Tour.
Wigan fielded their famous back line of Jimmy Leytham who scored a well taken try, Bert Jenkins his illustrious Welsh centre, local boy made good, Joe Miller and his centre the well known New Zealander Lance Todd.
Central Park was a mere 9 years old when this match took place.
Well done Wigan....good pic Keith....showing who's who....cheers!!
keith.would that be joe miller who lived in devon close,pemberton.
Hi Bill, Joe Miller was from Pemberton. According to one comment "there are competent judges who think that for two seasons at least, Miller was the best winger in the Northern Union" i.e. Rugby League.
Even at this distance, you can tell already the exertions being applied by the forwards as the scrum contorts, in the anticipation of the arrival of the ball. In those days the forwards had to graft and contest possession in the scrum, very physical and demanding work.
Would my great uncle Dick Ramsdale have played in this match?
I hope my memory hasn't distorted with time but my dad used to talk about a match against a touring side where Leytham's opposite number was Dally Messenger who hadn't had a try scored on his wing all tour. Leytham got three and each time Messenger came up and shook his hand which impressed the Wigan crowd. Have I got this right?
Hi Neil, all I can tell you from the record books is that Wigan played the Australian Tourists earlier in 1909 (twice) winning on both occasions, 10 - 7 and 16 - 8, at Central Park, Jimmy scored twice in the first match but not in the second.
In November 9th 1907, Wigan played New Zealand, winning 12 - 8 and Jimmy Leytham scored 3 tries - Dally Messenger also played in all of these matches, so it looks as if your story is correct except that both were right wingers so would not have faced one another directly, unless one switched wings, but I don't have that information.
A visit to the Wigan History shop to look up the match report should clear it up.
Thanks Keith