History of LRFC 7 of 36

7. 1933 to 1934


We continued with the same captain and vice captain for a third season. The fixture list was strengthened by the inclusion of matches with Coventrians, Sutton Coldfield and Birmingham. Two new players arrived who were to play an important part in the development of the club, particularly during and after the war: Sid Duce, an energetic forward and Freddie Thacker, a full-back or three-quarter. Other new arrivals were G. Price a very speedy wing-three-quarter; Doug Herbert, a future first XV scrum-half; and J.C. Smith a forward.

This was another good season. We started well and were unbeaten up to Christmas with 12 wins and 3 draws. Only Birmingham, Worcester and Aylestone St James were able to hold us and we hammered Nuneaton Old Edwardians by 43-0. Oxford Exiles inflicted our first defeat in the opening game of the New Year and thereafter our record was fairly even for the rest of the season and we finished with 19 wins and 4 draws. Our final game was a 27-0 win over Old Warwickians with winger G. Price scoring 5 tries a feat which has been equalled in the first team several times since, but as far as we know never beaten. Ron Boroughs topped the scorers with 64 points, all from the boot, and H.J Hooper was top try scorer with 18, followed by Pip Moore with 10. All three played for Warwickshire Colts. One of our forwards, Frank Rose, was selected for the British Railways XV.

The second XV had another reasonable season and again ended in credit with 12 wins and 2 draws from 23 games, but the club lacked strength in depth and there was concern that if we were to progress we needed to improve the quality of the second team to ensure competent reserves for the senior side..

This year we lost nearly £24 on a turnover of £71, with reduced subscriptions one of the problems. The AGM took the decision that players' subscriptions must be paid by 31 December and after that date any member not having paid would be liable to a fine of 1 shilling (5p) per month in addition to the usual subscription until it was paid.

First XV - 1933-34 RonBoroughs, J. Smith, Tom Commander, Sid Duce, David Parfitt, Frank Barnett, L. Warr, T. Price, Les Coles, I.F. Barrell, George Gibbs, Cliff Harrison (capt), H.J. Hooper, John Raby, Doug Herbert