Great Welsh Rugby Victories exhibition

ENGLAND v WALES Twickenham, 21st January 1933 (WRM-PL) Wales travelled to Twickenham without a win in the 23 years of playing at HQ. A record crowd of 64,000, including the Prince of Wales watched as a Welsh team including 2 new caps defeated the much fancied England side. The debutants, Vivian Jenkins and schoolboy Wilf Wooller were to play an important part in Wales' first victory on English soil but it was winger Ronnie Boon who stole the show with his drop goal and try to seal this victory. Final score: ENGLAND 3 - WALES 7
Wilf Wooller is next in line to meet the Prince of Wales (WRM-PL)

Wilf Wooller's father's programme, on the cover he has written "THE day !" and inside across the top "I was terribly nervous - in sympathy I suppose ! - The Prince came to the obvious delight of the Crowd - The Game was not brilliant - but full of excitement particularly as Wilf provided the major thrill of the afternoon. This major thrill probably relates to Wilf's chasing down and tackling the English fly half Elliot who was clear with the Welsh try line beckoning. (WRM-0272-0271)	Wilf Wooller's post match menu card, signed by several players including match winner Ronnie Boon, Claude Davey, young Wooller, Hary Bowcott and all rounder Maurice Turnbull who like Wooller represented Glamorgan at cricket and Wales at both hockey and squash. (WRM-0265)

WALES v NEW ZEALAND Cardiff , 21st December 1935 (WRM-0358) A great victory for Wales at the Arms Park. Captained by Claude Davey, the Welsh team inspired by the Wilf Wooler - Cliff Jones combination defeated Jack Manchester's third All Blacks. Only 10 minutes to go, and the men in scarlet were trailing by 12 pts to 10. Hooker Don Tarr suffered a neck injury which meant that Wales had to play out the remainder of the game with 14 men. With six minutes to go, Wooller breaks through the gap, chips the full back, the ball flies high and into the in goal area, but the ball then cruelly bounces back over Wooller's head. Crashing into the straw bales all Wooller could hear was the roar of the crowd as Geoffrey Jones following up took the ball and scored his second try to give Wales a remarkable 13-12 victory. Final score: WALES 13 - NEW ZEALAND 12

	Wales v NZ 1935 official programme. (WRM-0099)

	Cliff Jones, pictured in his Cambridge University blazer, one of Wales ’ great outside halves of the 1930s, He served as a selector 1956 – 1978 and as WRU President in the centenary year 1981. This photo is dedicated 'to Wilfred (Wooller). "In memory of Rugger Seasons 1933-6 and with infinite gratitude for all you have done for me on and off the field" Clifford March 1st 1936. (WRM-0289)

IRELAND v WALES

RAVENHILL, BELFAST 11th March 1950

Two Neath players Lewis Jones (capped from Devonport Services) and Roy John earned their first caps in the match against England in 1950. This was to be a perfect season for Wales as they won their first Grand Slam for 39 years. The memorabilia below relates to the Triple Crown decider in Belfast, a great day for Welsh Rugby but a tragic weekend for the Welsh nation...................................

With only 3 minutes remaining in this fixture at Ravenhill, the score was tied at 3 apiece, Welsh hopes of their first Triple Crown for 39 years were fading fast. From an Irish scrum on their own 25, the home scrum half Carroll sent the ball to Jackie Kyle, Welsh scrum half Ray Cale harassed the great Irish out half, the ball rolled loose, Billy Cleaver picked it up and fed Lewis Jones, Jones drew the full back and fed Malcolm Thomas on the wing, reaching the corner under a cloud of tacklers Thomas grounded and the game was won. Wales went on to defeat France 21-0 in Cardiff for the Grand Slam.

Final score: IRELAND 3 - WALES 6

The joy and celebration of victory soon turned to despair when a plane carrying Welsh supporters crashed at Llandow airport on the return journey. The crash, which at the time was the worst in the history of civil aviation, happened just 60 yards from the outskirts of the Llandow (Glamorgan) aerodrome which was used for civil flights long before facilities were developed at Rhoose Airport. hard hit were the players and supporters of the Abercarn and Llanharan clubs. Only three survived the crash including Handel Rogers, the great Llanelli servant who went on to become WRU President in 1976.


DINNER MENU - for the post match function held at Thompson's Restaurant in Belfast. This is the personal copy of Ivor Jones (1930 British Lions, 16 Welsh caps, WRU President 1968/9) who was a selector at the time. His autograph appears on the top of the back cover, it is also autographed by both sides and 5 other players/officials. (WRM-0133)


Telegram of sympathy from the Irish RFU to Sir David Rocyn Jones, President of the WRU (WRM-0135)	Telegram of sympathy from Sir Williams Tyrell, Vice President of the Irish RFU to Sir David Rocyn Jones, President of the WRU (WRM-0134)
Ireland v Wales touch flag, presented to WRU President, Sir David Rocyn Jones at the post match function (WRM-0269)