It may have been the “War to end all Wars”, which it wasn’t, but from Tynedale Football Club’s perspective 1914 did seem to end the contentious arguments, disputes and objections in rugby which featured so clearly before that time.

• 6th November 1883. Gosforth beat Tynedale in a cup-tie, which was “an unsatisfactory one, Gosforth winning by two disputed tries to a try.” “There is no doubt that one of the disputed tries should never have been allowed, and it is doubtful if either of them would have been allowed by a present-day referee”

• In 1883 Tynedale defeated Northumberland at Hexham by “two disputed tries to one disputed try.”

• In 1887 Tynedale beat Percy Park at Hexham in the second round of the Northumberland Senior Cup by a try and 5 minors to 3 minors. Percy Park lodged a protest on the grounds that Tynedale had played three men who were not qualified to play for them. The objection against two was dismissed, but as J.C. Robertson had not resided in Northumberland for six months his case was referred to the Rugby Union. As Tynedale went on to defeat Northern in the cup-final later, presumably that case was also dismissed by the RU.

• In 1889 Percy Park beat Tynedale at Hexham by three goals to a goal and three tries. At the conclusion of the match there was a hostile demonstration by the crowd against the referee, Mr.W.Cail. (This incident is reported on the club’s web-site Club Information/History/Anecdotes section CLICK HERE to view. Tynedale’s club Secretary, Mr. William Fenwick, pointed out later that because of the peculiarities of Mr. Cail’s decisions in one match he had refereed earlier that season another team had actually walked off the pitch.

• In 1901, when Tynedale competed in the Second Team Cup, they met Rockcliff II in the cup-final at Newcastle. The match ended in a draw and the referee ordered an extra 10 minutes each way. Rockcliff refused to respond to the whistle to line up. Tynedale touched the ball down and claimed the match, at which Rockcliff objected. The County committee decided that the replay should take place at Hexham. After two replays the Seasiders won by a goal to a try.

• In 1904 Percy Park II beat Tynedale at North Shields 17-5 in a semi-final but the visitors protested against the dimensions of the Percy Park playing area. The match was ordered to be replayed at Jesmond. Tynedale won 11-0.

• In 1911 in a Senior Shield match Tynedale II beat Old Novos II but the latter put in an objection and the County committee ordered the game to be replayed.

Contentious times indeed. Disputes about scores, qualifications, referees’ decisions, extra time, the size of the pitch, and other undisclosed reasons, not to mention abuse of the referee. Players and spectators have much more respect for the game and officials now, don’t they?

D.F.Hamilton