Scotland 21-13 England (lost radio coverage of Five Nations Championship game; 1927): Difference between revisions

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(Somewhat special this one, as it was the BBC's first live outdoor sports commentary. Also the first Calcutta Cup encounter to receive radio coverage. Why does Scotland have to win all the matches featuring pioneering moments in media history...)
 
(And that's it for rugby union and rugby league for now. If anyone's got some interesting examples they want covered on the Wiki, feel free to contact me as I may tackle them in the future. Overall, lost rugby league media proved to be a surprisingly interesting rabbit hole. Originally, I was only going to talk about the 1948 Challenge Cup Final!)
 
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Earlier in 1927, the inaugural Royal Charter transformed the BBC into a state-controlled institution, finally allowing it to cover sporting events live after having been frustrated by restrictions lobbied by the print media.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/historyofthebbc/research/royal-charter ''BBC'' detailing the influential Royal Charter.] Retrieved 22nd Jun '23</ref><ref name="encyclopedia">[https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Encyclopedia_of_Radio_3_Volume_Set/-UeveLMilioC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA354&printsec=frontcover ''Encyclopedia of Radio'' detailing the BBC's frustration in broadcasting sports prior to 1927, and how the Royal Charter allowed it to finally cover rugby matches among other sporting events.] Retrieved 22nd Jun '23</ref><ref name="change">[https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/This_is_the_BBC/ziFnEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA40&printsec=frontcover ''This is the BBC'' detailing how the Royal Charter allowed the BBC to cover live sports.] Retrieved 22nd Jun '23</ref> This led to numerous pioneering sports broadcasts, including covering England's win over Wales, becoming the first rugby match to receive radio coverage in Britain.<ref name="union">[https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/A_Social_History_of_English_Rugby_Union/kvJ8AgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA191&printsec=frontcover ''A Social History of English Rugby Union'' detailing the BBC's relationship with the Rugby Football Union, allowing it to cover rugby matches in 1927.] Retrieved 22nd Jun '23</ref><ref name="encyclopedia"/><ref name="change"/> The BBC, having achieved a strong relationship with the Rugby Football Union, was set to air the upcoming Scotland-England clash.<ref name="genome">[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/service_rt_2lo/1927-03-19#at-15.00 BBC Genome archive of ''Radio Times'' issues detailing the BBC's coverage of the match.] Retrieved 22nd Jun '23</ref><ref name="radio">[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/page/2b4546f6c94d45e3a885a8f338d13795?page=32 Issue 180 of ''Radio Times'' listing the BBC's coverage of the match.] Retrieved 22nd Jun '23</ref><ref name="union"/> What made this event special in BBC radio sports history was that commentary was conducted outdoors for the first time.<ref name="boat">[https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_Oxford_Cambridge_Boat_Race/hEt5QgAACAAJ?hl=en ''The Oxford & Cambridge Boat Race'' noting the Calcutta Cup was the BBC's first live outdoors sports commentary, with the 1927 Boat Race becoming the second.] Retrieved 22nd Jun '23</ref> Previous commentaries were restricted to makeshift indoor areas, including for the [[Corinthians 1-3 Newcastle United (lost radio coverage of FA Cup match; 1927)|Corinthians-Newcastle United FA Cup match]] on 29th January. The ability to provide fully outdoor commentaries allowed for greater freedom in airing coverage, including for the 1927 Boat Race, which became the second BBC sports commentary to be conducted outdoors.<ref name="boat"/> As with other early BBC sport broadcasts, Issue 180 of ''Radio Times'' provided a grid system split into eight sections.<ref name="radiogrid">[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/page/2b4546f6c94d45e3a885a8f338d13795?page=34 Issue 180 of ''Radio Times'' providing the grid the commentator would refer to.] Retrieved 22nd Jun '23</ref> The idea was that when the commentator would call out the number, it would theoretically allow listeners to follow where the action was commencing at.<ref>[https://www.onthisday.com/articles/squaring-up-for-radio-commentary ''On This Day'' summarising ''Radio Times''' grid system.] Retrieved 22nd Jun '23</ref><ref name="radiogrid"/>
Earlier in 1927, the inaugural Royal Charter transformed the BBC into a state-controlled institution, finally allowing it to cover sporting events live after having been frustrated by restrictions lobbied by the print media.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/historyofthebbc/research/royal-charter ''BBC'' detailing the influential Royal Charter.] Retrieved 22nd Jun '23</ref><ref name="encyclopedia">[https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Encyclopedia_of_Radio_3_Volume_Set/-UeveLMilioC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA354&printsec=frontcover ''Encyclopedia of Radio'' detailing the BBC's frustration in broadcasting sports prior to 1927, and how the Royal Charter allowed it to finally cover rugby matches among other sporting events.] Retrieved 22nd Jun '23</ref><ref name="change">[https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/This_is_the_BBC/ziFnEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA40&printsec=frontcover ''This is the BBC'' detailing how the Royal Charter allowed the BBC to cover live sports.] Retrieved 22nd Jun '23</ref> This led to numerous pioneering sports broadcasts, including covering England's win over Wales, becoming the first rugby match to receive radio coverage in Britain.<ref name="union">[https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/A_Social_History_of_English_Rugby_Union/kvJ8AgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA191&printsec=frontcover ''A Social History of English Rugby Union'' detailing the BBC's relationship with the Rugby Football Union, allowing it to cover rugby matches in 1927.] Retrieved 22nd Jun '23</ref><ref name="encyclopedia"/><ref name="change"/> The BBC, having achieved a strong relationship with the Rugby Football Union, was set to air the upcoming Scotland-England clash.<ref name="genome">[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/service_rt_2lo/1927-03-19#at-15.00 BBC Genome archive of ''Radio Times'' issues detailing the BBC's coverage of the match.] Retrieved 22nd Jun '23</ref><ref name="radio">[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/page/2b4546f6c94d45e3a885a8f338d13795?page=32 Issue 180 of ''Radio Times'' listing the BBC's coverage of the match.] Retrieved 22nd Jun '23</ref><ref name="union"/> What made this event special in BBC radio sports history was that commentary was conducted outdoors for the first time.<ref name="boat">[https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_Oxford_Cambridge_Boat_Race/hEt5QgAACAAJ?hl=en ''The Oxford & Cambridge Boat Race'' noting the Calcutta Cup was the BBC's first live outdoors sports commentary, with the 1927 Boat Race becoming the second.] Retrieved 22nd Jun '23</ref> Previous commentaries were restricted to makeshift indoor areas, including for the [[Corinthians 1-3 Newcastle United (lost radio coverage of FA Cup match; 1927)|Corinthians-Newcastle United FA Cup match]] on 29th January. The ability to provide fully outdoor commentaries allowed for greater freedom in airing coverage, including for the 1927 Boat Race, which became the second BBC sports commentary to be conducted outdoors.<ref name="boat"/> As with other early BBC sport broadcasts, Issue 180 of ''Radio Times'' provided a grid system split into eight sections.<ref name="radiogrid">[https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/page/2b4546f6c94d45e3a885a8f338d13795?page=34 Issue 180 of ''Radio Times'' providing the grid the commentator would refer to.] Retrieved 22nd Jun '23</ref> The idea was that when the commentator would call out the number, it would theoretically allow listeners to follow where the action was commencing at.<ref>[https://www.onthisday.com/articles/squaring-up-for-radio-commentary ''On This Day'' summarising ''Radio Times''' grid system.] Retrieved 22nd Jun '23</ref><ref name="radiogrid"/>


Ultimately, in front of approximately 70,000 at the Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland prevailed.<ref name="result">[http://en.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/match/19335.html ''ESPN'' detailing the result of the encounter.] Retrieved 22nd Jun '23</ref> The first-half proved a close affair, with Scotland edging out the visitors 9-8. However, two tries by Ian Smith, combined with one apiece from Jimmy Dykes, Phil Macpherson, and Jumbo Scott, allowed Scotland to gain the advantage. This was boosted further with a conversion by Sandy Gillies and a drop goal by Herbet Waddell. Despite some strong England attacks, such as tries by John Gibbs and Colin Laird, conversions by Edward Stanbury and Kendrick Stark, and a penalty by Stark, the visitors ultimately came off second-best.<ref name="result"/> With this result, Scotland retained the Calcutta Cup, and guaranteed they would share the Five Nations Championship with at least Ireland.<ref name="table">[http://en.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/series/17136.html?date=2+Apr+1927;template=pointstable ''ESPN'' detailing the final 1927 Five Nations Championship table.] Retrieved 22nd Jun '23</ref> England ultimately wasted their opportunity to also finish joint-first, after losing their final game 3-0 to France.<ref name="results1927"/>
Ultimately, in front of approximately 70,000 at the Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland prevailed.<ref name="result">[http://en.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/match/19335.html ''ESPN'' detailing the result of the encounter.] Retrieved 22nd Jun '23</ref> The first-half proved a close affair, with Scotland edging out the visitors 9-8. However, two tries by Ian Smith, combined with one apiece from Jimmy Dykes, Phil Macpherson, and Jumbo Scott, allowed Scotland to gain the advantage. This was boosted further with a conversion by Sandy Gillies and a drop goal by Herbet Waddell. Despite some strong England attacks, such as tries by John Gibbs and Colin Laird, conversions by Edward Stanbury and Kendrick Stark, and a penalty by Stark, the visitors ultimately came off second-best.<ref name="result"/> With this result, Scotland retained the Calcutta Cup, and guaranteed they would share the Five Nations Championship with at least Ireland.<ref name="table">[http://en.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/series/17136.html?date=2+Apr+1927;template=pointstable ''ESPN'' detailing the final 1927 Five Nations Championship table.] Retrieved 22nd Jun '23</ref> England ultimately wasted their opportunity to also finish joint-first, after losing their final game 3-0 to France.<ref name="results1927"/> Eleven years later, the [[England 16-21 Scotland (partially found footage of Home Nations Championship game; 1938)|1938 Calcutta Cup]] became historic as the first televised rugby match.<ref>[http://en.espn.co.uk/six-nations-2013/rugby/story/179012.html ''ESPN'' noting the 1938 Calcutta Cup was the first to be televised.] Retrieved 17th Sep '23</ref>


==Availability==
==Availability==
The 1927 Calcutta Cup match was aired when radio recordings seldom transpired at the BBC. The corporation, with devices like the Blattnerphone, began recording events more regularly starting from the early-1930s.<ref name="missing">[https://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/bbc-archives--wiped-missing-and-lost/z4nkvk7 ''BBC'' explaining why most of its early radio output is missing.] Retrieved 22nd Jun '23</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/radio/z6cqgwx ''BBC'' noting that it started recording radio output from the 1930s onwards.] Retrieved 22nd Jun '23 Retrieved 22nd Jun '23</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.com/historyofthebbc/collections/technology ''BBC'' noting it had no viable means of recording sound until the introduction of the Blattnerphone in 1930.] Retrieved 22nd Jun '23</ref> Ultimately, the oldest surviving BBC recording of a sports event is a recreation of the [[1928 FA Cup Final (lost original radio coverage of football match; 1928)|1928 FA Cup Final]] done in 1932.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04p3yq1 ''BBC'' providing the 1932 recreation of the 1928 FA Cup Final, the oldest surviving sports clip in its archive.] Retrieved 22nd Jun '23</ref> Thus, the Calcutta Cup commentary is most likely permanently lost.
The 1927 Calcutta Cup match was aired when radio recordings seldom transpired at the BBC. The corporation, with devices like the Blattnerphone, began recording events more regularly starting from the early-1930s.<ref name="missing">[https://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/bbc-archives--wiped-missing-and-lost/z4nkvk7 ''BBC'' explaining why most of its early radio output is missing.] Retrieved 22nd Jun '23</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/radio/z6cqgwx ''BBC'' noting that it started recording radio output from the 1930s onwards.] Retrieved 22nd Jun '23 Retrieved 22nd Jun '23</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.com/historyofthebbc/collections/technology ''BBC'' noting it had no viable means of recording sound until the introduction of the Blattnerphone in 1930.] Retrieved 22nd Jun '23</ref> Ultimately, the oldest surviving BBC recording of a sports event is a recreation of the [[1928 FA Cup Final (lost original radio coverage of football match; 1928)|1928 FA Cup Final]] done in 1932.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04p3yq1 ''BBC'' providing the 1932 recreation of the 1928 FA Cup Final, the oldest surviving sports clip in its archive.] Retrieved 22nd Jun '23</ref> Thus, the Calcutta Cup commentary is most likely permanently lost, unless there is some [[Gene Tunney vs Jack Dempsey (partially lost radio coverage of "The Long Count Fight"; 1927)|miracle pirate recording]] of it out there.


==See Also==
==See Also==
*[[1924 NSWRFL Premiership Final (lost radio coverage of rugby league game; 1924)]]
*[[1927 Challenge Cup Final (lost radio coverage of rugby league game; 1927)]]
*[[1948 Challenge Cup Final (partially found footage of rugby league game; 1948)]]
*[[1954 Rugby League World Cup Final (partially found footage of international rugby league game; 1954)]]
*[[Christchurch vs High School Old Boys (lost radio coverage of charity rugby game; 1926)]]
*[[Christchurch vs High School Old Boys (lost radio coverage of charity rugby game; 1926)]]
*[[England 11-9 Wales (lost radio coverage of Five Nations Championship game; 1927)]]
*[[England 11-9 Wales (lost radio coverage of Five Nations Championship game; 1927)]]
*[[England 16-21 Scotland (partially found footage of rugby match; 1938)]]
*[[England 16-21 Scotland (partially found footage of Home Nations Championship game; 1938)]]
*[[Great Britain 20-19 New Zealand (partially found footage of international rugby league game; 1951)]]
*[[North Sydney Bears 19-21 Balmain Tigers (lost footage of NSWRFL Premiership season game; 1961)]]


==References==  
==References==  

Latest revision as of 10:48, 17 September 2023

Scotland21-13england19271.jpg

Programme for the game.

Status: Lost

On 19th March 1927, Scotland hosted England for a Five Nations Championship game. Occurring in front of around 70,000 at the Murrayfield Stadium, Scotland defeated England 21-13 to claim the Calcutta Cup, and ultimately share the Five Nations Championship with Ireland. Aside from this being the first Calcutta Cup to be broadcast on radio, it also marked the BBC's first live outdoor commentary of a sporting event.

Background

Scotland were the joint-defending Five Nations champions, having won the 1926 edition alongside Ireland.[1] Scotland had also beaten England that year 17-9, thus making them the defending Calcutta Cup champions as well.[2] Scotland's 1927 campaign started strongly enough, defeating France 23-6, before beating Wales 5-0.[3] However, its campaign became somewhat unstuck when the team lost 6-0 to Ireland.[3] Meanwhile, England had beaten Wales 11-9, and edged out Ireland 8-6.[3] Following the Calcutta Cup game, they would be set to face France on 2nd April.[3] As it stood, Ireland were on top with six points.[4] If Scotland beat England, they would share the title with Ireland and potentially England as well.[4] Meanwhile, England needed to win at least one match to become joint-champions, and both to become the undisputed champion.[4] Naturally, winning the Calcutta Cup was a source of pride for these old rivals.[5]

Earlier in 1927, the inaugural Royal Charter transformed the BBC into a state-controlled institution, finally allowing it to cover sporting events live after having been frustrated by restrictions lobbied by the print media.[6][7][8] This led to numerous pioneering sports broadcasts, including covering England's win over Wales, becoming the first rugby match to receive radio coverage in Britain.[9][7][8] The BBC, having achieved a strong relationship with the Rugby Football Union, was set to air the upcoming Scotland-England clash.[10][11][9] What made this event special in BBC radio sports history was that commentary was conducted outdoors for the first time.[12] Previous commentaries were restricted to makeshift indoor areas, including for the Corinthians-Newcastle United FA Cup match on 29th January. The ability to provide fully outdoor commentaries allowed for greater freedom in airing coverage, including for the 1927 Boat Race, which became the second BBC sports commentary to be conducted outdoors.[12] As with other early BBC sport broadcasts, Issue 180 of Radio Times provided a grid system split into eight sections.[13] The idea was that when the commentator would call out the number, it would theoretically allow listeners to follow where the action was commencing at.[14][13]

Ultimately, in front of approximately 70,000 at the Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland prevailed.[15] The first-half proved a close affair, with Scotland edging out the visitors 9-8. However, two tries by Ian Smith, combined with one apiece from Jimmy Dykes, Phil Macpherson, and Jumbo Scott, allowed Scotland to gain the advantage. This was boosted further with a conversion by Sandy Gillies and a drop goal by Herbet Waddell. Despite some strong England attacks, such as tries by John Gibbs and Colin Laird, conversions by Edward Stanbury and Kendrick Stark, and a penalty by Stark, the visitors ultimately came off second-best.[15] With this result, Scotland retained the Calcutta Cup, and guaranteed they would share the Five Nations Championship with at least Ireland.[16] England ultimately wasted their opportunity to also finish joint-first, after losing their final game 3-0 to France.[3] Eleven years later, the 1938 Calcutta Cup became historic as the first televised rugby match.[17]

Availability

The 1927 Calcutta Cup match was aired when radio recordings seldom transpired at the BBC. The corporation, with devices like the Blattnerphone, began recording events more regularly starting from the early-1930s.[18][19][20] Ultimately, the oldest surviving BBC recording of a sports event is a recreation of the 1928 FA Cup Final done in 1932.[21] Thus, the Calcutta Cup commentary is most likely permanently lost, unless there is some miracle pirate recording of it out there.

See Also

References

  1. ↑ ESPN detailing the 1926 Five Nations Championship table. Retrieved 22nd Jun '23
  2. ↑ ESPN detailing the result of the 1926 Calcutta Cup match. Retrieved 22nd Jun '23
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 ESPN listing the results of the 1927 Five Nations Championship. Retrieved 22nd Jun '23
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 ESPN detailing the 1927 Five Nations Championship prior to the Scotland-England match. Retrieved 22nd Jun '23
  5. ↑ Rugby World summarising the Calcutta Cup's history. Retrieved 22nd Jun '23
  6. ↑ BBC detailing the influential Royal Charter. Retrieved 22nd Jun '23
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Encyclopedia of Radio detailing the BBC's frustration in broadcasting sports prior to 1927, and how the Royal Charter allowed it to finally cover rugby matches among other sporting events. Retrieved 22nd Jun '23
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 This is the BBC detailing how the Royal Charter allowed the BBC to cover live sports. Retrieved 22nd Jun '23
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 A Social History of English Rugby Union detailing the BBC's relationship with the Rugby Football Union, allowing it to cover rugby matches in 1927. Retrieved 22nd Jun '23
  10. ↑ BBC Genome archive of Radio Times issues detailing the BBC's coverage of the match. Retrieved 22nd Jun '23
  11. ↑ Issue 180 of Radio Times listing the BBC's coverage of the match. Retrieved 22nd Jun '23
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 The Oxford & Cambridge Boat Race noting the Calcutta Cup was the BBC's first live outdoors sports commentary, with the 1927 Boat Race becoming the second. Retrieved 22nd Jun '23
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Issue 180 of Radio Times providing the grid the commentator would refer to. Retrieved 22nd Jun '23
  14. ↑ On This Day summarising Radio Times' grid system. Retrieved 22nd Jun '23
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 ESPN detailing the result of the encounter. Retrieved 22nd Jun '23
  16. ↑ ESPN detailing the final 1927 Five Nations Championship table. Retrieved 22nd Jun '23
  17. ↑ ESPN noting the 1938 Calcutta Cup was the first to be televised. Retrieved 17th Sep '23
  18. ↑ BBC explaining why most of its early radio output is missing. Retrieved 22nd Jun '23
  19. ↑ BBC noting that it started recording radio output from the 1930s onwards. Retrieved 22nd Jun '23 Retrieved 22nd Jun '23
  20. ↑ BBC noting it had no viable means of recording sound until the introduction of the Blattnerphone in 1930. Retrieved 22nd Jun '23
  21. ↑ BBC providing the 1932 recreation of the 1928 FA Cup Final, the oldest surviving sports clip in its archive. Retrieved 22nd Jun '23
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