A pic of the Durham XV that lost to Middlesex on Monday 21^st Feb. in 1887, Will Oakes, (1859-1920), captained the side, the Middlesex team had lost to Yorkshire on the previous Saturday in Bradford, At this time there was no formal County Championship and the visitors, Yorkshire and Lancashire all vied to be named Champion County. It was in 1887/88 that the first formal Champion was recognised by the Rugby Union with Middesex being recognised as Champions..

Will Oakes played for Durham on 10 occasions, skippering the side for a season, and for five years between 1882 and 1888 he Captained the Rovers XV when he led them to their first Senior Cup win in 1884 and again in 1887.

On retiring, he became a Vice President of the County Union until 1895 as well as being Club secretary and Treasurer from 1892-1895. His retirement appears to be linked to the upheavals within the County in January 1894.

Also in this pic is the remarkable Rev C H (Charlie) Newman, 1857-1922, born in Newport, Wales, he was a founder member of that famous club, played for Cambridge University, played for and captained Wales, including playing in the first ever England v Wales match in 1881. He also played for Welsh XVs before the Welsh RFU was founded. On retirement he ordained into the Church in the Durham Diocese, playing for North Durham and Durham County. He ministered at Tanfield, Low Fell, Hetton le Hole and finally Millfield, Sunderland.

He had War Service with Royal Flying Corps, being a prisoner of war.

1. G.Pimbury, Durham City,

2. F.E.Pease, Rovers, Darlington & England,

3. J.W.Sowerby, North Durham,

4. W. L. Oakes (Hartlepool Rovers) – Captain,

5. J.C.Wilford, Sunderland Rovers & Sunderland,

6. G. H.Elliott, Sunderland & England,

7. G.H.Eyre, Sunderland,

8. W.F.Greenwell, Hon Sec.,

1. T.Jamieson, Consett & Durham City,

2. V.T.Thompson, Sunderland

    

Date (of image) : 21/2/1887

Donor : Durham County RFU

Creator : Unknown

Part of the "Durham County RFU" collection