Season: 1952-1953

The first year as Hove Rugby Club. With a pitch at Hove Park, but the HQ and changing facilities at Hove Place on First Avenue.

Shortcuts

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• Hove Has A Rugby Club
• Playing Highlights
• Men’s 1st XV
• Men’s 2nd XV
• Playing Honours
• Season Images
• Club Highlights
• Club Honours
• President’s Office
• Officers
• Committee
• AGM
• Handbook and Programmes

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Hove Has A Rugby Club

The date was the 20th June 1952 and it was a Friday. The UK Prime Minister was Winston Churchill (for the second time) and Harry S Truman was the US President.

Queen Elizabeth II had ascended the throne on 06/02/1952 – a mere 135 days earlier. The Archbishop of Canterbury was Geoffrey Fisher and the Pope was Pius XII.

At a meeting at Hove Place Hotel in the evening a vote was taken and the new Club came into being with the following Officers duly elected:

• Captain: Jonny Boreham
  
• Vice Captain: T.G. WInckworth
  
• Hon. Secretary: G.P. Thomson
  
• Hon. Treasurer: J.P. Petrie
  

It is worth noting Page 6 of the handbook below which states that the Club Headquarters and Changing area were also at the Hove Place Hotel. I will try and find out ownership of that venue for that period and see if any connection. Clearly, a bit of a trip to the pitch from First Avenue – especially when in kit and boots!

For any of you that wish to have a celebration, then wait until 30/11/2020 and the Club will be exactly 25,000 days old.

Playing Highlights

Mens 1st XV

Date	Result	Hove Score	Opp Score	Location	Competition	Opponent
13/09/1952				Home	Trials
20/09/1952	Lost	3	32	Home	Friendly	Brighton
27/09/1952	Lost	0	21	Home	Friendly	Pinner
04/10/1952	Lost	3	20	Home	Friendly	Old Purleians
11/10/1952	Won	24	0	Away (Patchdean)	Friendly	Brighton Students
18/10/1952	Won	21	3	Home	Friendly	Tunbridge Wells & Crowborough
25/10/1952	Won	19	3	Away	Friendly	Seaford
01/11/1952	Lost	3	6	Away	Friendly	Horsham
08/11/1952	Won	14	5	Home	Friendly	Streatham "A"
15/11/1952	Lost	3	11	Away	Friendly	Unilever
22/11/1952	Won	19	5	Home	Friendly	Brighton
29/11/1952	Won	11	0	Home	Friendly	Worthing
06/12/1952	Won	20	0	Home	Friendly	East Grinstead
13/12/1952	Won	6	5	Away	Friendly	East Grinstead
20/12/1952	Won	13	0	Home	Friendly	Old Azurians
26/12/1953	Won	5	0	Away (Preston Park)	Friendly	Brighton
10/01/1953	Won	21	5	Away	Friendly	Tunbridge Wells & Crowborough
17/01/1953	Won	16	10	Away	Friendly	Worthing
24/01/1953	Won	15	8	Away (Durrington)	Friendly	Old Azurians
31/01/1953	Lost	3	16	Away	Friendly	Chichester
07/02/1953	Won	5	3	Home	Friendly	Crawley
14/02/1953	Won	5	0	Away	Friendly	Hastings & Bexhill
21/02/1953	Won	30	0	Home	Friendly	Brighton Students
28/02/1953	Lost	3	14	Away	Friendly	Esher Cardinals
07/03/1953	Lost	3	11	Home	Friendly	Crawley
14/03/1953	Draw	11	11	Home	Friendly	Chichester
21/03/1953	Won	23	0	Home	Friendly	Seaford
28/03/1953	Won	3	9	Home	Friendly	Horsham
03/04/1953 (Good Friday)	Lost	11	16	Away	Friendly	St. Catherines
04/04/1953 (Easter Sat)	Won	12	3	Home	Friendly	Twickenham
06/04/1953 (Easter Monday)	Lost	0	20	?	Friendly	Old Whitgiftians
11/04/1953	Lost	14	16	Away	Friendly	Old Purleians
18/04/1953	?			Away	Tournament	Worthing
		Played			31
		Won			19
		Drawn			1
		Lost			11
		Result Not Known / Cancelled			2
		Home Games Played			17
		Away Games Played			14
		Highest Points For			27
		Lowest Points For			0
		Highest Points Against			30
		Lowest Points Against			0
		Highest Winning Margin			24
		Highest Losing Margin			29

The first competitive game ever played by Hove Rugby Club under the Hove name was on 20th September 1952 at home against local rivals Brighton.

The result is not surprising as Brighton were deemed the best side in Sussex at that time and had just recruited Scottish International Charlie McDonald to join them whilst Hove had an embryonic side.

Match Report – from Newspaper (verbatim)

BRIGHTON’S NEW TEAM CRUSH HOVE IN FIRST GAME

Brighton’s new Scottish International, Charlie McDonald, was the inspiration behind his sides crushing defeat of newly formed Hove in the first game of the season by 32 points (four goals, three tries, one penalty goal) to 3 (one penalty goal). The Scot, who scored 15 points himself, was too much of a handful for the Hove defence, who spent a large part of the afternoon unsuccessfully chasing his elusive shadow. Fast and quick off the mark, he showed glimpses of brilliant football, and a baffling sidestep which he used often enough to open up the game got Hove into a tangle.

McDonald also revealed himself as a sound kicker, and when the other Brighton place kickers muffed easy and difficult chances alike he took over the role with points winning accuracy. After a slow start, Brighton’s superiority stemmed from a fit and formidable pack which increasingly subdued the lively spirit of the Hove scrum and finally plated it into the ground.

The Hove backs were sadly outclassed by the Brighton three’s who were competent without being outstanding and some of their work was spoiled by holding the ball too long and by careless passing. Once they had settled down, the Brighton scrum set a gruelling pace. There was no apparent weakness and it worked with unrelenting fire and energy until the end. Hove played with dogged courage, but soon enough in the first half when Brighton kept up the pressure. It was obvious that they did not have the experience, skill or class to hold either the Brighton forwards and backs. They gave everything they possessed and kept the score down to a Hunnisett try, converted by Barnet, and a typical dash by McDonald which was successful on the blind side. From then on their resistances was weakened and in one black period they went to pieces ; poor half hearted tackling let in the hard running Brighton backs and forwards at regular intervals.

Hunnisett well covered by his back row combined effectively with McDonald, but unfortunately for Brighton, this promising partnership looks like breaking up shortly when the scrum half returns to Cambridge. A. McDonald made a good impression in the centre with his namesake may well be the answer to a weakness that has not been adequately cured since Tony Wilson’s day.

Skipper Johnny Boreham with as sound support from Ian Ross and Winckworth as anyone else led the Hove pack with untiring dash, and it was fitting that they should score their only penalty goal. Brighton need better opposition before their real value can be assessed, but they showed sufficient to become a threat to other Sussex Clubs as well as those further afield.

McDonald (2) Burt, Farrar, P. Ross and Anthony crossed for Brighton’s second half tries. McDonald also kicked a penalty and converted two and Barnet one.

Hove — J.A. Hodgkinson, R.E. Smith, J. Wilkinson, J.E. Stanley, S. L. Jackson, D.L. Shepard, E.P. Griffin, B. Smith, W.K. Wiseman, T.R.C. Brodie, T.G. Winckworth, D.R. Lawes, M.G. Gummer, I.G. Ross, J.H.R. Boreham (Captain).

Brighton — E.H. Barnet, G.C. Burt, R.F. Weedall, A. McDonald, A.H. Farrar, C. McDonald, D.R. Hunnisett, D. Smith, J.G. Hale, R.O. Pratt (Captain) M. Coombes, P. Maurice, M. Anthony, P. Ross, D.F. Brown.

I have been trying to fathom out the score but I can’t. The correspondent states 4 goals (conversions or drop goals?), 3 tries (so couldn’t be 4 conversions) and a penalty goal. Now, we know a try was 3 points – as was a penalty and a drop goal. So 3 tries = 9 points and 1 penalty = 3 points totalling 12 points. So, we are looking for a further 20 points from “4 goals” – anyone shed any light on this?

Possibly the breakdown was just for the first half – as later on he attributes 6 second half tries (18 points) but also a penalty and 2 conversions – which would be a further 3 +(2*2) = 7 and then add to the 18 = 25. So, soething awry somewhere but I’m sure the score is correct as that was written down contemporaneously.

I have been sent some more info regarding the scoring idiosyncracies and I reproduce the below for you.

I got an answer to your 32-3 problem – back then a goal was 5 points and a try was 3 points but didn’t count if you scored the goal. So they would have scored 7 tries and 4 conversions in our parlance but it’s recorded as 4 goals and 3 tries

Congratulations to all those who appeared in the first ever fixture for Hove Rugby Club.

Other Info

I am also informed that the D.R. Hunnisett referred to in the Brighton team (the half back who had to return to Cambridge) is one Derek Hunnisett of Hanningtons fame who, upon return from Cambridge, joined Hove and later became a VP and a Trustee.

Mens 2nd XV

Date	Result	Hove Score	Opp Score	Location	Competition	Opponent
13/09/1952				Home	Trials
27/09/1952	Lost	0	3	Away	Friendly	Lewes Martlets
04/10/1952	Won	15	6	Away	Friendly	Brighton Extra "A"
11/10/1952	Won	28	0	Home	Friendly	Brighton Students
18/10/1952	Lost	0	3	Away	Friendly	Tunbridge Wells & Crowborough
25/10/1952	Lost	8	11	Home	Friendly	Crawley "A"
01/11/1952	Lost	3	11	Home	Friendly	Bognor Training College
08/11/1952	Lost	8	11	Home	Friendly	Seaford
15/11/1952	Won	25	0	Home	Friendly	Worthing High School
22/11/1952	Won	9	0	Away	Friendly	Brighton Extra "A"
29/11/1952	Won	12	0	Away	Friendly	Worthing "B"
06/12/1952	Cancelled			Away (Maresfield)	Friendly	Intelligence Corps
13/12/1952	Cancelled			Home	Friendly	Eastbourne "A"
20/12/1952	Lost	3	18	Away	Friendly	Old Azurians
27/12/1952	Won	8	6	Away	Friendly	Hastings & Bexhill
03/01/1953	Won	16	3	Home	Friendly	Old Azurians
17/01/1953	Won	34	0	Home	Friendly	Worthing "B"
24/01/1953	Won	29	0	Home	Friendly	Old Azurians "A"
31/01/1953	Draw	3	3	Home	Friendly	Chichester "A"
07/02/1953	Lost	0	14	Away	Friendly	Crawley "A"
14/02/1953	Won	5	3	Home	Friendly	Hastings & Bexhill "A"
21/02/1953	Cancelled			Away	Friendly	Brighton Students
28/02/1953	Won	11	0	Home	Friendly	Lewes Martlets
07/03/1953	Draw	3	3	Away	Friendly	Crawley "A"
14/03/1953	Lost	0	19	Away	Friendly	Chichester "A"
21/03/1953	Lost	0	45	Away	Friendly	Bognor Training College
28/03/1953	Cancelled			Away	Friendly	Horsham
04/04/1953 (Easter Sat)	Lost	12	20	Away	Friendly	Crawley "A"
		Played			28
		Won			11
		Drawn			2
		Lost			10
		Result Not Known / Cancelled			5
		Home Games Played			13
		Away Games Played			15
		Highest Points For			34
		Lowest Points For			0
		Highest Points Against			45
		Lowest Points Against			0
		Highest Winning Margin			34
		Highest Losing Margin			45

Playing Honours

None known for this year

Season Images

The sharp eyed of you will wonder why we have photos of some school children winning a trophy. Look closer at the young chap who is receiving the same and you will see its is “11 year old Richard Lewis”.

I have checked and it is, indeed, the Richard Lewis that joined and played for Hove and served for many years not least as our longest serving President.

Club Highlights

Founder Members
J.H.R. Boreham (Captain)	G.P. Thomson (Hon, Secretary)	C.P. Bridgeland
J.E. Rhatigan	P.J. Rhatigan	P.J. Lowe
T.G. Winckworth (Vice Captain)	J. Shelton	J.T. Petrie (Hon. Treasurer)
R.F. Clarke	D.L. Shepherd	J.W.I. Jenkin

Club Honours

None known for this year

Presidents Office

Honour	Person	Comments
President	Cr. A.E. Brocke	First ever President
Vice President	Cr. R.B. Barr
Vice President	N.H. Copper Esq
Vice President	H.T. D'Oyley Buck
Vice President	R.A. Edwards
Vice President	G.F. Harringtoon
Vice President	Dr N.W.A. Harvey
Vice President	R.J. Hayes
Vice President	Cdr. R.P. Hill D.S.O., D.S.C., R.N. (Rtd)
Vice President	Cr. A.W. Jackson
Vice President	Dr. P.C. Lewis
Vice President	A. Marlowe Q.C., M.P.
Vice President	Dr. C.F. MacGuire
Vice President	W.G. MacGregor
Vice President	W.Q. McLarnon
Vice President	Dr. J. Rhatigan
Vice President	A.E. Russell
Vice President	Lt.-Col. G.P. Shepherd M.B.E., T.D.
Vice President	J.C. Smith
Vice President	Alderman Capt. A.B. Wales J.P., M.C.

Officers

Role	Person	Comments
Captain of the Club	J.H.R. Boreham
Vice-Captain	T.G. Winkworth
Hon. General Secretary	G.P. Thompson
Hon. Treasurer	J.T. Petrie
Hon. Fixture Secretary	J.E. Rhatigan
Hon. Team Secretary	D.L. Shepherd
Captain 'A' XV	P.F.J. Lowe
Vice-Captain of 'A' XV	J.E. Rhatigan

Committee

Person	Executive Committee	Selection
J.H.R. Boreham	Captain of the Club	Yes
T.G. Winckworth	Vice Captain of the Club	Yes
G.P. Thompson	Secretary
J.T. Petrie	Treasurer
J.E.Rhattigan	Fixture Secretary
D.L. Shepherd	Team Secretary	ex officio and Secretary
P.F.J. Lowe	A XV Captain	Yes
J.E.Rhattigan	A XV Vice Captain	Yes
J. Shelton	Yes
R.F. Clark	Yes
J.W.I. Jenkin	Yes
Non Playing Member		Yes
Non Playing Member		Yes
Totals	11	7

Annual General Meeting

We have no information from the AGM this year.

Club Handbook and Programmes

I should state that amongst the items from Jonny Boreham’s legacy was a pristine copy of the match day programme for the very first match that Hove Rugby Club played.

You will see that the cost was 6d which to may of you will be a puzzlement. Prior to the UK adopting a decimal currency on 15th February 1971 (a Monday as I recall!) we had a system called pounds, shillings and pence.

Pence were denoted by a “d”, shillings by an “s” (or a “/”) and pounds were the same with a “£”. There were 12d to 1s and 20s to a £. The arithmetically speedier of you will thus have worked out that 6d is the equivalent to 2.5p or £0.025.

Being as we currently gift programmes, this is one of the things that has gone down in price over the last 67 years.

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