An image of the centre pages of Greatham RFCs 1906-07 Fixture card, which provides an insight into the Game in the area at that time.  15 Pyman League Matches on offer, a number of friendlies, the gaps to be filled as the winter evolved.  A Greatham player, J Hutchinson was in the Pyman League XV against West to open the season. Plus, a chance to see the touring Springboks in their first UK tour.  All this without leaving the town, that must have pleased Mr. Tidyman the Hon Treasurer.

No County Cup games are  mentioned but no doubt they were given the opportunity for away matches when those draws were announced.

A point of historical interest is that though Hartlepool Old Boys 2nd and 3rd XV are mentioned, Old Boys folded in October of 1906 at the time of the South African visit, so those games would not go ahead.  Stranton Vulcans are also shown, they won the Junior Cup in this season beating Gilesgate, Durham, on the Friarage Field 7 - 4, a mystery club,  all that is known of them is that they played their games on Stranton Racecourse.  For clarity, their were 2 Rangers clubs Hartlepool Rangers and West Rangers plus two Crusaders, from West and Harftlepool. The Tip Rangers side would be drawn from players around The Tips and coulld have been based on Dale Street Mission part of St Oswald's Church ministry-  , they produced Jimmy Duthie who went on to play for West, Durham and England. 

Greatham flared into prominence on the demise of the West Hartlepool Club in 1908 for while a number of prominent players moved to the West Tyne and Gateshead area, many players joined Greatham including Jack Wass who had played County Rugby, he returned to West in 1911 and continued as a player and Referee until the 1920s, another was Hercules Duthie, brother of Jim Duthie,   Greatham won the Pyman League in 1910 having already won the Junior Cup a year earlier defeating Ryton by 10 pts to 8 on Ashbrooke Sunderland after extra time. The Ashbrooke ground is still in use for Rugby and Ryton still running from their present Barmoor ground.

Date (of image) : 1/9/1906

Donor : Hartlepool Museums Service

Creator : B.T.Ord

Part of the "Hartlepool Museums Service" collection