fireworks come early at St Helen’s

Today marks the 28th anniversary of the World Champion Wallabies being dismantled by Cloughie & Co as “The Whites” defeated Australia 21-8 but there are also a few other landmarks that have been made in a Swansea shirt on this day.

1876 – Swansea played their first ever match at St. Helen’s against Llandovery College.   The Whites beat the students by 2 Goals & 4 Tries to 2 Goals.

1888 – Swansea defeated Brighouse Rangers at St. Helens 7-4.

1893 –  Cardiff were edged out 7-6 in Swansea.

1899 – Swansea beat Aberavon at The Mansel Field Ground 8-0.  A match which featured Swansea’s 1st “Lion”.  Former Morriston forward Syd Bevan made his 1st XV debut on this day.

1961 – St. Helens welcomed Blackheath for the first time since the war and were victorious 13-8.

1980 – Tony Swift scored a post-war record 5 tries and Roger Blyth 22 points in a 70-6 defeat of South Wales Police.

1987 – Ian Jeffries scored a hat-trick of tries in a comfortable win over Ebbw Vale 38-17.

2000 – Cardiff were defeated 29-22 in a hotly contested league match at St. Helens.

 

In the pre-professional era when fixtures were arranged by individual clubs, Blackheath have played Swansea five times on this date.  Maybe they came a day early to experience the magnificent firework display that St. Helens had to offer when some 30,000 spectators used to come to the annual event.

 

Stay Safe

 

Paul Tabram – Chairman of Swansea Patrons & Supporters Club