A image of the England XV that defeated Scotland on March 1st 1884 at Blackheath, with Greatham Born H B Tristram included in the Fifteen.

He was born on 5^th September 1861 in Greatham, Co Durham the son of Henry Baker Tristram. His grandfather was Henry Baker Tristram, a priest who devoted his life to the church, travel writing and ornithology. He was known as ‘the birdman canon’.

H.B. Tristram was educated at Loretto School from 1870 to 1873 and 1879 to 1881, Winchester College from 1875 to 1879, Hertford College, Oxford. He was rugby blue three times from 1882 to 1884. He played rugby five times for England and was never on a losing side. He played cricket for Oxford University and Durham CCC.  

In 1886-87 he was Senior Classical Master at Newton College , Newton Abbot. He was  then appointed Assistant Master at Loretto School . He was Vice-Gerent there from 1891 to 1903. Headmaster from 1903 to 1908. He was the author in 1911 of “The History of Loretto School”. Headmaster of St. Paul’s School in 1909 to 1912. He moved to Jersey and was head of Victoria College there from 1914 to 1927.

He died on 1^st October 1946 in St. Helier, Jersey . He left a widow Emmeline Worrall Tristram.

email: patrick.casey@cliftonrfchistory.co.uk

http://sites.google.com/site/caseybooks/

© Patrick Casey, 2010

Now little remembered,  the Greatham Club played for many years before the First World War, they appear to start around the mid 80s when the "Cerebos" salt extraction commenced, and this Concert programme provides a glimpse into the world of the clubs of the 1890s.  A number of the Clubs continue to play today in Rovers, West, Old Boys, Middlesbrough, Thirsk, Stockton and Darlington.

The Club is beleived to have played on a field near to Greatham Railway Station, and a look at the Fixtures reveals that at the time of this programme, most away matches could have been reached by train! 

Two of the fixtures are intriguing,  Shipwrights will be a Shipyard team but whether Central Shops is a side drawn from staff at the Central Marine Engine Works is the subject of more research. The game North v South in Hartlepool would be a "day out" for the players and officials, this game, probably played on the Friarage Field, would be an official England Trial, North of England v South of England, such was its importance, Caps were awarded to any one been selected for the trial.

Greatham Village also has a link with the early England XVs for H.B. Tristram, who played full back for England on 5 occasions in the mid 1880s whilst a Durham City player was born in Greatham in 1861. His father, also called H.B.Tristram, was Master of Greatham Hospital, a canon of Durham Cathedral and a renowned author and ornitholigist in his time.

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 plaer, 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.