England 16-21 Scotland (partially found footage of Home Nations Championship game; 1938): Difference between revisions

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==Background==
==Background==
Heading into the event, Scotland were joint-first in the 1938 Home Nations Championship, level on points with Wales but with a game in hand. They defeated Wales 8-6, before going on to beat Ireland 23-14. Meanwhile, England lost their opening match to Wales 8-14, but beat Ireland 36-14. Despite Scotland having an advantage prior to the match, much was at stake. If Scotland ended up victorious, they would claim not only the title for themselves, but also the Triple Crown, an honour bestowed to Home Nations teams that managed to beat the other three, which is still possible in the modern Six Nations. Additionally, whoever won the match would also win the Calcutta Cup, which has signified the winner of this long nation rivalry since 1879. Therefore, Scotland had the opportunity to win three honours in one match.<ref>[http://en.espn.co.uk/six-nations-2013/rugby/story/179012.html ''ESPN'' article discussing the match and the build-up to it.] Retrieved 22 May '21</ref>
Heading into the event, Scotland were joint-first in the 1938 Home Nations Championship, level on points with Wales but with a game in hand. They defeated Wales 8-6, before going on to beat Ireland 23-14. Meanwhile, England lost their opening match to Wales 8-14, but beat Ireland 36-14. Despite Scotland having an advantage prior to the match, much was at stake. If Scotland ended up victorious, they would claim not only the title for themselves but also the Triple Crown, an honour bestowed to Home Nations teams that managed to beat the other three, which is still possible in the modern Six Nations. Additionally, whoever won the match would also win the Calcutta Cup, which has signified the winner of this long rivalry since 1879. Therefore, Scotland had the opportunity to win three titles in one match.<ref>[http://en.espn.co.uk/six-nations-2013/rugby/story/179012.html ''ESPN'' article discussing the match and the build-up to it.] Retrieved 22 May '21</ref>


Meanwhile, the BBC were looking to broadcast various sports for its relatively new Television Service. The organisation decided that the England-Scotland game would be ideal as the first televised rugby match, because of Twickenham's geographical proximity to Alexandra Palace and having received permission by the Rugby Football Union.<ref>[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/search/0/20?order=asc&q=rugby&svc=9371533#search BBC Genome archive of ''Radio Times'' issues, listing the match and the BBC receiving permission by the Rugby Football Union.] Retrieved 22 May '21</ref><ref>[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/page/e7cd9e4df5f64fb38fc1f18249e538bc Issue 754 of ''Radio Times'' listing the match.] Retrieved 22 May '21</ref> Nevertheless, the broadcast was not without its challenges. Aside from issues concerning a misspelled graphic for the Scottish team and the bright sunlight on the day, the BBC had also decided to simplify the difficultly of showing televised rugby back then by having Teddy Wakelam, a former Harlequin player, commentate simultaneously for radio and television. Ultimately, a limited audience mainly within the London area were able to watch the match due to limited transmission and the high costs of buying a television back then, but there were reports that viewers in Guernsey, North Yorkshire and Malvern also picked up the match.<ref>[https://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/story/_/id/22792572/england-scotland-served-spectacular-calcutta-cup-usher-tv-era ''ESPN'' article discussing BBC televising the match, the challenges regarding it, and the match itself.] Retrieved 22 May '21</ref>
Meanwhile, the BBC was looking to broadcast various sports for its relatively new Television Service. Previously, it had covered rugby union via radio since 1927, when it aired the [[England 11-9 Wales (lost radio coverage of Five Nations Championship game; 1927)|England-Wales game on 15th January]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1760579.stm ''BBC'' detailing its first radio coverage of a rugby match.] Retrieved 17th Sep '23</ref> The organisation decided that the England-Scotland game would be ideal as the first televised rugby match, because of Twickenham's geographical proximity to Alexandra Palace and having received permission by the Rugby Football Union.<ref>[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/search/0/20?order=asc&q=rugby&svc=9371533#search BBC Genome archive of ''Radio Times'' issues, listing the match and the BBC receiving permission by the Rugby Football Union.] Retrieved 22 May '21</ref><ref>[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/page/e7cd9e4df5f64fb38fc1f18249e538bc Issue 754 of ''Radio Times'' listing the match.] Retrieved 22 May '21</ref> Nevertheless, the broadcast was not without its challenges. Aside from issues concerning a misspelt graphic for the Scottish team and the bright sunlight on the day, the BBC had also decided to simplify the difficulty of showing televised rugby back then by having Teddy Wakelam, a former Harlequin player, commentate simultaneously for radio and television. Ultimately, a limited audience mainly within the London area was able to watch the match due to limited transmission and the high costs of buying a television back then, but there were reports that viewers in Guernsey, North Yorkshire and Malvern also picked up the match.<ref>[https://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/story/_/id/22792572/england-scotland-served-spectacular-calcutta-cup-usher-tv-era ''ESPN'' article discussing BBC televising the match, the challenges regarding it, and the match itself.] Retrieved 22 May '21</ref>


Ultimately, this Calcutta Cup match proved to be one of the strongest on-record, and justified the BBC to broadcast future rugby union matches and later other sporting occasions. Scotland would ultimately prevail 21-16, winning the 1938 Home Nations Championship, Calcutta Cup and Triple Crown.<ref>[https://www.swlondoner.co.uk/sport/19032021-rugby-tv-debut-calcutta-cup-televised-83-years-on/#:~:text=On%20March%2019th%201938%2C%2083,Toft's%20English%20side%2021%2D16 ''SW Londoner'' article discussing the occasion and the television history surrounding it.] Retrieved 22 May '21</ref> The last ten minutes before half-time were especially eventful thanks to four trys, with Scotland earning three of them. Ultimately, Scotland would not win at Twickenham until 1965, and would not win any title before achieving a clean sweep of titles in 1984.  
Ultimately, this Calcutta Cup match proved to be one of the strongest on record, and justified the BBC to broadcast future rugby union matches and later other sporting occasions. Scotland would ultimately prevail 21-16, winning the 1938 Home Nations Championship, Calcutta Cup and Triple Crown.<ref>[https://www.swlondoner.co.uk/sport/19032021-rugby-tv-debut-calcutta-cup-televised-83-years-on/#:~:text=On%20March%2019th%201938%2C%2083,Toft's%20English%20side%2021%2D16 ''SW Londoner'' article discussing the occasion and the television history surrounding it.] Retrieved 22 May '21</ref> The last ten minutes before half-time were especially eventful thanks to four tries, with Scotland earning three of them. Ultimately, Scotland would not win again at Twickenham until 1965, and would not win any more titles before achieving a clean sweep in 1984.  


==Availability==
==Availability==
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===Image===
===Image===
<gallery mode=packed heights=300px>
<gallery mode=packed heights=400px>
Englandscotlandrugby2.png|''Radio Times'' issue listing the match.
Englandscotlandrugby2.png|''Radio Times'' issue listing the match.
</gallery>
</gallery>


==See Also (Early BBC Television Media)==
==See Also==
*[[An Inspector Calls (lost television adaptation of play; 1948)]]
*[[1924 NSWRFL Premiership Final (lost radio coverage of rugby league game; 1924)]]
*[[Ann and Harold (lost early BBC drama television series; 1938)]]
*[[1927 Challenge Cup Final (lost radio coverage of rugby league game; 1927)]]
*[[BBC Election Night (lost coverage of British general elections; 1950-1951)]]
*[[1948 Challenge Cup Final (partially found footage of rugby league game; 1948)]]
*[[Cook's Night Out (lost early BBC cooking show; 1937)]]
*[[1954 Rugby League World Cup Final (partially found footage of international rugby league game; 1954)]]
*[[Dish of the Month (lost early BBC cooking show; 1937)]]
*[[Christchurch vs High School Old Boys (lost radio coverage of charity rugby game; 1926)]]
*[[First Aid (lost early BBC medical show; 1937)]]
*[[England 11-9 Wales (lost radio coverage of Five Nations Championship game; 1927)]]
*[[Foundations of Cookery (lost early BBC cooking show; 1939)]]
*[[Great Britain 20-19 New Zealand (partially found footage of international rugby league game; 1951)]]
*[[Marcel Boulestin television shorts (lost early BBC programs; 1937-1939)]]
*[[North Sydney Bears 19-21 Balmain Tigers (lost footage of NSWRFL Premiership season game; 1961)]]
*[[RCA recording of BBC Television Service (found footage of pre-Second World War BBC television broadcast; 1938)]]
*[[Scotland 21-13 England (lost radio coverage of Five Nations Championship game; 1927)]]
*[[Sea Stories (lost early BBC talk show; 1936-1937)]]
*[[Spelling Bee (lost early BBC game show; 1938)]]
*[[Telecrime (lost early BBC crime drama; 1938-1939; 1946)]]
*[[The Care of Your Car (lost early BBC motoring show; 1947)]]
*[[The Wasp's Nest (lost early BBC television adaptation of Agatha Christie short story; 1937)]]
 
==See Also (Early Sports Television Media)==
*[[1931 Epsom Derby (lost televised footage of horse racing event; 1931)]]
*[[1934 Philo T. Farnsworth broadcasts (lost early television demonstrations; 1934)]]
*[[1936 Summer Olympics (lost television coverage of Berlin Games; 1936)]]
*[[1937 FA Cup Final (partially found footage of football match; 1937)]]
*[[1937 International Imperial Trophy Race (lost footage of motor race; 1937)]]
*[[1937 Wimbledon Championships (partially found footage of tennis tournament; 1937)]]
*[[1938 Ashes Series (partially found footage of international test cricket match; 1938)]]
*[[1938 FA Cup Final (partially found footage of football match; 1938)]]
*[[1938 Pennsylvania Quakers football season (lost early televised college football games; 1938)]]
*[[1939 FA Cup Final (partially found footage of football match; 1939)]]
*[[1953 British Grand Prix (partially found footage of Formula One race; 1953)]]
*[[1960 Daytona Races (lost CBS and NBC televised footage of NASCAR prelude events to Daytona 500; 1960)]]
*[[Arsenal vs Arsenal Reserves (lost footage of early BBC televised football match; 1937)]]
*[[Brooklyn Dodgers 2-5 6-1 Cincinnati Reds (lost footage of MLB doubleheader; 1939)]]
*[[Brooklyn Dodgers 23-14 Philadelphia Eagles (lost footage of NFL game; 1939)]]
*[[Catch-As-Catch-Can Wrestling (lost early BBC televised professional wrestling matches; 1938-1939; 1946-1947)]]
*[[Columbia Lions 1-2 Princeton Tigers (partially found footage of college baseball game; 1939)]]
*[[Darts and Shove Ha'penny (lost early BBC televised darts matches; 1936-1939)]]
*[[England 0-1 Scotland (partially found international football match; 1938)]]
*[[Fordham Rams 34-7 Waynesburg Yellow Jackets (lost footage of college football game; 1939)]]
*[[Indianapolis 500 WFBM-TV Broadcasts (lost racing footage; 1949-1950)]]
*[[The Boat Race 1938 (partially found footage of rowing race; 1938)]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


[[Category:Lost recordings of real incidents]]
[[Category:Lost recordings of sports events]]
[[Category:Lost TV]]
[[Category:Partially found media]]
[[Category:Partially found media]]
[[Category:Historic]]
[[Category:Historic]]

Latest revision as of 10:37, 17 September 2023

Englandscotlandrugby1.jpg

Wilson Shaw earning a try for Scotland.

Status: Partially Found

On March 19th, 1938, the England and Scotland rugby union teams competed in a match to determine who would win that year's Calcutta Cup. This match was notable for a variety of reasons; these included Scotland's last win at Twickenham until 1965, as well as the team winning any title, Triple Crown or Grand Slam until achieving all three in 1985. It was also the first televised rugby match.

Background

Heading into the event, Scotland were joint-first in the 1938 Home Nations Championship, level on points with Wales but with a game in hand. They defeated Wales 8-6, before going on to beat Ireland 23-14. Meanwhile, England lost their opening match to Wales 8-14, but beat Ireland 36-14. Despite Scotland having an advantage prior to the match, much was at stake. If Scotland ended up victorious, they would claim not only the title for themselves but also the Triple Crown, an honour bestowed to Home Nations teams that managed to beat the other three, which is still possible in the modern Six Nations. Additionally, whoever won the match would also win the Calcutta Cup, which has signified the winner of this long rivalry since 1879. Therefore, Scotland had the opportunity to win three titles in one match.[1]

Meanwhile, the BBC was looking to broadcast various sports for its relatively new Television Service. Previously, it had covered rugby union via radio since 1927, when it aired the England-Wales game on 15th January.[2] The organisation decided that the England-Scotland game would be ideal as the first televised rugby match, because of Twickenham's geographical proximity to Alexandra Palace and having received permission by the Rugby Football Union.[3][4] Nevertheless, the broadcast was not without its challenges. Aside from issues concerning a misspelt graphic for the Scottish team and the bright sunlight on the day, the BBC had also decided to simplify the difficulty of showing televised rugby back then by having Teddy Wakelam, a former Harlequin player, commentate simultaneously for radio and television. Ultimately, a limited audience mainly within the London area was able to watch the match due to limited transmission and the high costs of buying a television back then, but there were reports that viewers in Guernsey, North Yorkshire and Malvern also picked up the match.[5]

Ultimately, this Calcutta Cup match proved to be one of the strongest on record, and justified the BBC to broadcast future rugby union matches and later other sporting occasions. Scotland would ultimately prevail 21-16, winning the 1938 Home Nations Championship, Calcutta Cup and Triple Crown.[6] The last ten minutes before half-time were especially eventful thanks to four tries, with Scotland earning three of them. Ultimately, Scotland would not win again at Twickenham until 1965, and would not win any more titles before achieving a clean sweep in 1984.

Availability

Like other early BBC television broadcasts, this rugby match was broadcast live and was not recorded. Therefore, televised footage of the match is now permanently missing. Nevertheless, highlights of the match itself are still available, thanks to publicly accessible British Pathé newsreels.

Gallery

Videos

Footage of the event from British Pathé.

Image

See Also

References