Oldham v Swinton | movie | 1901 | Official Featurette - video Dailymotion

The evolution of Rugby League in a top of the table match between rival Lancashire clubs. | dG1fcUpoOWlhbnhrZHM

Transcript

00:00 Over 20,000 people attended this top of the table clash, Oldham versus Swinton on the

00:14 12th January 1901.

00:17 According to the Oldham Evening Chronicle, no two teams play better football and it is

00:22 to be hoped the better side will win.

00:24 The outcome of this match depends in a large measure on the championship of the Lancashire

00:33 senior competition.

00:34 The action is fast and furious and difficult to follow, especially as the rugby films in

00:37 the collection were played when Northern Union, which changed its name to Rugby League in

00:41 1922, was still played 15 a side, as in Rugby Union.

00:46 After the split with Union in 1895, the rules changed slowly.

00:51 In 1899 the rules were changed from the Union rule, which had a rock or a maul after a tackle,

00:56 to have a scrum after every tackle.

01:03 This was replaced by the 'play the ball' rule in 1906.

01:07 The idea behind all these rule changes was to make rugby faster and more exciting for

01:11 players and crowds.

01:38 [music]

02:07 [music]

02:18 [music]

02:44 [music]

03:01 The pan of the crowd shows elegantly dressed ladies in attendance.

03:04 This was unusual for rugby matches at the time and demonstrates the importance of this

03:08 game.

03:09 They were possibly wives of local businessmen or club directors.

03:13 A large member of the local constabulary is also involved.