Despite the weather a large number of spectators were present at the Coundon Road Rugby Ground, Coventry, on Thursday, April 8th, 1948 when the Standard Rugby Football Club kept up their high reputation and retained the Coventry Evening Telegraph Challenge Cup.
It was the the fourth time the team had won the cup and this occasion was by beating the Sphinx three points to nil in the final of the Coventry Works’ Sports Association Competition. A cold, strong wind was blowing which the Standard had to fight against during the first half, but they succeeded in preventing the Sphinx team taking any advantage of this and at half time there was no score.
A penalty goal well kicked by Harry Dodd gave Standard their three points. It was a grand clean game through-out and the Sphinx put up a hard fight. The Standard forwards, however, dominated the scrum and G. Millard (Standard scrum-half) kept the backs well served.
Councillor W. H. Edwards (President of the Coventry Football Club) presented the Cup to Albert Gale, the Standard captain, who thanked the councillor on behalf of the team and paid tribute to the hard fight put up by Sphinx and called for three cheers for the losing team.
The Standard team was as follows :—Rayner. Jenkins, R. Spencer, F. Castle, G. Buckley, D. Robinson, Gath. Jenkins, G. Millard, E. Prior, Albert Gale (capt), George Turnbull, Harry Dodd, L. Bloxham, F. Davies, J. Carter and C. Musson.
Sadly this team line up does not match the order in the photo. Can you recognise anyone?
UPDATE
Match:
Harry Dodd. Middle of back row. (4th from left).
Albert Gale. Middle row. (1st left).
UPDATE 2
Match:
Gath Jenkins (my father) middle row 2nd from right, would have been either half back or first five position…..
and
Rayner Jenkins (his brother/my uncle), front row 1st on right end, he would have been ‘full-back position’.
Submitted by Bleddyn Jenkins