Salford 14-6 Batley, 2 November 1901

Part of the Mitchell & Kenyon archive, this footage is of a Northern Union (Rugby League) match between Salford and Batley on 2 November 1901. Salford eventually won by 14-6.

The Salford team was: D. Smith, Hatyon, T. Williams (2t), Varty (t), Pryce; Lomas (t, g) Griffiths; H. Buckler, Tunney, Rhapps, Heath, J. Williams, W. Brown, Shaw, Gledhill.

The clip shows points scored by Salford's James 'Jimmy' Lomas. Lomas was one of Rugby League's earliest superstars, playing in the first ever international match for England vs. Other Nationalities in 1904 and captaining Great Britain in their first tour to Australia and New Zealand in 1910. Prior to the first test of that tour, Lomas took on and defeated Australia's Dally Messenger, 'The Master', in a goal-kicking contest.

This game was one of the last at Salford's New Barnes ground, which had to make way for the extension of Salford Docks. A month later, Salford were playing in their new stadium — The Willows. 110 years after that, Salford had played their last ever match at The Willows before moving to their new stadium in Barton.

Salford finished the 1901--02 league season in 2nd place behind runaway champions Broughton Rangers. With Swinton also finishing 4th, three of the top four clubs had come from what we recognise today as the City of Salford.

Broughton Rangers and Salford also contested the 1902 Challenge Cup final at Rochdale. Unfortunately for Salford, they were defeated by 25-0.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• salford
• salford reds
• salford rlfc
• batley
• lomas
• new barnes