And Now For Northern

Sunderland faces Northern at Ashbrooke next weekend and two matches between the sides from the early 1880s provide food for thought - especially about the method of scoring used. In November 1880 the sides played a draw on our old ground (which stood, partly, on the site of today's Chester's pub). The weather was 'dull and threatening' - which strikes a bell in February 2026 - and the match played over three 'halves' of 20 minutes. Sunderland scored a try but the opposition challenged it and it was chalked off. Later in the game, Sunderland forced Northern to touchdown behind their own line. In nineteenth century terms this was a moral victory for the home side which was recorded as a draw.

The 1st XVs met again in October 1881. By this time Sunderland had secured the Durham County Cup while Northern were the champions of Northumberland. Again the match took place at the Chester Road ground and was 'severely contested' although the visitors were a man short. The brief report in the 'Echo' recorded the score as one try, three touchdowns and three dead balls to Sunderland and one touchdown to Northern.

Current thinking is that there were local rules which differed from region to region. At this time no physical points were awarded. In some cases a try meant a try at converting a touchdown behind the opponent's goal line into a goal. If it was not converted the touchdown counted for nothing. In the case of the 1881 Sunderland/Northern match it is clear that Sunderland did more than Northern in terms of attack. Surely a try is as defined above but dead balls and touchdowns?? From the earlier report it would seem that a touchdown in the North East meant forcing the opposition to touch down behind their own posts. As for the dead ball - experts think that this meant grounding the ball anywhere on the field and getting a kick out of hands as a result. This sounds really strange and seems to indicate that the ball was kept in hand for nearly all the game! What does stand out is that a try counted for something in the North East. Sunderland were winners of the 1881 match because they scored a try and would have won the 1880 match if their try had not been disputed.

The Echo gives the team for the 1880 match and notes that Arthur Laing, a founding member of the club, was away with Durham County. There were three Thompsons in the side - probably the sons of timber merchant Joseph Thompson plus three Kayll brothers including England international Henry Kayll and two Kidsons - also founding members of the club. Last but not least there was A G M Hudson and, as many readers will know, we still have access to his complete rugby kit - recognised as the oldest known surviving club kit in the world.

For those not familiar with Alfred - go to A Sunderland Discovery!

Alfred Hudson probably wore this shirt in the 1881 Sunderland v Northern match