Rugby at School

In the autumn term of 1922 Mr.H.P.Lunn, the Headmaster of Yardley Grammar School, decided that rugby should be played at the school rather than soccer.  Results of school matches in the early years were very variable, despite having outstanding players in Eric Cuttriss, Bill Anderson and Horace Johnson.

A flourishing Old Yardleians Club for former pupils already existed with several sub-sections, but nothing for male sporting activities. By 1926 there was talk of forming a rugby section, providing a suitable ground could be found.  The Head offered the use of the schools new playing field in Reddings Lane.

 

The Founding of a Rugby Section

During  July  1927 two important meetings  were held at the Mikardo Caf in Martineau Street by an ad hoc committee consisting of J. Dawson, E. Cuttriss, R.W.Roe and C.H.Coldrick. Plans  were drawn up  for a general meeting of all the OYs who were interested in the project.  At this historic gathering, the Rugby Football Section of the Old Yardleians Club was formed.  R.W.Roe became the Secretary, C.H. Coldrick the Treasurer and D. Arnett Club Captain.  Subscriptions were fixed at five shillings per season.  The first match was played on the 1st of October 1927 against Old Dixonians Third fifteen.

 

The Press

Our first mention in the local press occurred in the Sports Argus on the 12th of November 1927 recording the victory over Old Dixonians by 17 points to nil.  This was undoubtedly the return fixture of our first match.  The same issue made a favourable comment on the performance of Eric Cuttriss playing for Nuneatons First XV.

At the end of the first season, the Rugby Section were financially in the red and the  Old Yardleians Club Committee were concerned about future prospects.  A match levy was devised to be paid in addition to the annual subscription.  When Dan Arnett heard that Eric Cuttriss was available for the OYs he withdrew from the captaincy.  A typically thoughtful and generous gesture by Dan.

The Sports Argus on 20th of September 1928 noted that, Old Yardleians are running a second team and require five dates filling.  The same columnist, Three Quarter, later reported, Old Yardleians, for a junior organisation, have already proved themselves hot stuff and in their three games to date have scored 79 points with 6 against.  From this date, our name appeared regularly in the results and rugby columns of the Sports Argus and Green Mail. 

By the end of 1928, we were quite a force in the local rugger scene and already the fixture list needed strengthening.