The year is 1908. Desperate to secure a regular
source of revenue and encouraged by the success of the Wales v England Northern
Union test match that drew an estimated crowd of 12,00, the Mid Rhondda
Athletic Grounds Committee decide to form a Northern Union team of their own.
The Northern Union game is rapidly gaining ground. A renowned member of the
Welsh team that defeated England on the Mid is the formidable Dai ‘Tarw’ Jones
one of the heroes of the epic 1905 victory over the New Zealand All Blacks. Dai
now plies his trade with Merthyr who themselves have turned to the Northern code.
At their AGM Penygraig RFC express their disappointment at the decision of the
Mid Rhondda Athletic Club to host a professional side. Only two years earlier
Penygraig 
“It is no wonder that the
amateur game is fast losing ground. For years past Penygraig have had a very strong
team, and several players, capable of holding their own in international and
county matches, have been passed over as unworthy of the slightest recognition,
while others not possessing half the ability and playing for the teams in the
city and elsewhere have been selected. In Police-constable Bevan, Mathews, Flynn,
and Baker, Penygraig possess forwards for whom, it is contended, it would be
hard to find superiors in Wales, and seemingly they are not worthy of
selection. These and sundry other grievances, it is stated, are the cause of
the dissatisfaction.”
:“. . . (Messenger) was full of
surprises, unorthodox, flash (and) directed largely by the unconscious
mind. . . (he) never became a slave to copybook practices (because) his
instinct enabled him to see and take an opening in that operative second which
is all-important.” Moran also compared Messenger to Bradman because, like the
great cricketer, he always seemed to have ample time to adjust his body to the
perfect position before the ball arrived. Messenger could also kick off either
foot and, was a deadly long distance goal kicker. On one occasion he kicked a
goal from the side of the 25-yard line in his own half, a feat which was
included in earlier versions of the ‘Guinness Book of Records’.
Moran’s description of
Messenger’s abilities could, in many respects, apply to a more recent
Australian exponent of Rugby Union football, the mercurial David Campese. It is
unlikely officials of the Australian Rugby Union would have been as magnanimous
as the captain of their national side. Following Messenger’s defection to League
the New South Wales Rugby Union struck all his games from the record books.
They were not restored for another hundred years. Dai ‘Tarw’ Jones was not
alone. Perhaps they had a beer together after the game in Aberdare and compared
notes, only Messenger would have preferred milk as he was strictly tee-total. Messenger
has already attained celebrity status in the North of England where ‘Messenger
Will Play’ placards are placed outside grounds to confirm his appearance. On
Saturday, October 3rd the estimated crowd of 7,500 who climb the
Empire Hill to the Mid Rhondda Athletic Ground are excited at the prospect of
seeing the great man in action. They will not be disappointed.
The day is fine,
warm and cloudy, perfect conditions for running rugby. Long before kick-off
spectators file into the ground, some straying onto the pitch and the start of
the game is delayed by 15 minutes. As the visiting Australians eventually race
onto the field their opponents greet them with a loud cheer. The ‘Kangaroos’
wear sky blue and maroon tops, representing the New South
Wales Blues and Queensland Maroons from whom the tour part
is comprised. Before the game kicks off the ‘Kangaroos’ perform
their ‘war cry’, their version of the New Zealand ‘haka’. The reporter for the
Rhondda Leader is distinctly unimpressed, describing it in his match day report
as ‘somewhat ludicrous’. What follows the kick off, is anything but
ludicrous.
Australia exert all
the early pressure and when Mid Rhondda eventually manage to break away a pass
is intercepted by Messenger who is himself tackled by one of the Mid Rhondda
forwards. Shortly afterwards Australian dominance is rewarded with a try for
Morton. Messenger converts from a difficult angle. Mid Rhondda exert some
pressure of their own and from a resultant scrum the Australian half back Auleyzark
is injured and carried from the field. Mid Rhondda have been handed the
advantage, but one man has other ideas. Messenger is becoming increasingly more
dangerous and difficult to contain and keeps the points ticking over in the
‘Kangaroos’ favour with a penalty kick from half-way. Messenger continues to
inspire the visitors and from a scrum he takes the ball and outpaces the whole
of the home team to score a magnificent try which he then converts.
Shortly afterwards Mid
Rhondda are given a massive boost when Messenger limps off the field. They now
face just eleven men. Australia defend desperately to keep the Mid at bay and
are rewarded when after several minutes Messenger returns to the fray. They
have conceded no points in his absence. Hedley thwarts a dangerous attack by
Mid Rhondda and play now sweeps from end to end. During this period the home
team waste a golden opportunity to score when from an attacking scrum near the
visitor’s line the ball is kicked too hard over the dead ball line. Mid Rhondda
are awarded a penalty shortly afterwards near half-way, but Jackie Rees fails
to convert. Mid Rhondda remain scoreless against the twelve men of Australia
and further punishment is dished out when, from a free kick, L. Jones crosses
for another try for the visitors. The conversion attempt fails but minutes
later, as half time approaches, Hedley fields a relieving kick and passes to
Messenger who races upfield to score his second superbly executed try, turning
a somersault in the process. The referee blows for half time and the crowd draw
breath knowing they have witnessed something special.
Half Time: Mid
Rhondda 0 Australia 18
The second half is
barely underway when Messenger drops a goal which is greeted by loud cheers
from the crowd obviously appreciative of a special talent. Not surprisingly,
having played most of the first half one man short, Australia begin to tire.
This is also their first fixture since travelling the long haul from Australia
by boat. In order to maintain fitness levels, the team had worked as stokers
and undergone daily sessions in the gymnasium and boxing ring. But nothing can
replace actual game time and inevitably Mid Rhondda begin to gain the upper
hand. An excellent bout of passing results in Wrentmore running in a try for
the home team. Wrentmore then succeeds in bringing down Messenger, stifling a
dangerous attack. The Mid now launch a series of threatening onslaughts in
Australian territory but meet fierce resistance and are repulsed time and
again. It takes a moment of Welsh wizardry from Dai Thomas to breach the
defence when he weaves past weary Australian defenders to score Mid Rhondda’s
second try. In the dying moments Australia and Cheadle are denied a fifth try
when Morton is adjudged to have been offside.
Final Score: Mid
Rhondda 6 Australia 20
Teams: Australia –
Back, C. Hedley; Three-quarters, F. Cheadle, A. Morton, H. Messenger and D.
Frawley; Half Backs, A.Butter and E. Auleyzark; Forwards, L. Jones, J.
Abercrombie, S.Pierce, R. Graves, and D. Lutge (capt.) Mid- Rhondda – Back, W.
E. Lewis; Three-quarters, J. N. Jones, Joe Jones, Jackie Rees and T. Edwards;
Half Backs, E. D. Rees and Jackie Davies (capt.); Forwards, D. Williams, W. Baker,
D. Thomas, F. Norris, F. Wrentmore and S. Bevan. Referee, Mr. McCutcheon
One player has etched his name indelibly not only on the game, but on the consciousness of those fortunate to have been witness to his talents. Herbert Henry “Dally” Messenger will become the tourist’s top scorer by some distance with 160 points. To this day he is regarded by many as one of the greatest exponents of rugby in either code. He certainly impressed the match reporter for the Rhondda Leader.
“. . . their side
seemed to be a one-man show, and that man was undoubtedly ‘the Percy Bush of
Australia,’ viz., Messenger. This player is superb as a three-quarter, and we
deem him one of the finest exponents of Rugby extant.”
 |
| Every year the man voted best Australian rugby league player receives the Dally Messenger Award |
This famous ground should be preserved and developed for the benefit of the community. Please sign the petition above if you agree. Thank you.
 |
| The 'Mid' is left of centre. |
