The 1889 Southern Rugby Football Union season was the 16th season of the Sydney Rugby Premiership. This was the seventh competition for the Gardiner Challenge Cup which was awarded to the winners of the premiership. The football season lasted from May to August. Sydney University Football Club successfully defended the premiership, completing the season undefeated for the third time. During the season a number of representative matches were played. In June players were selected to represent New South Wales against a visiting intercolonial team known as the New Zealand Māori. A representative team from Victoria visited Sydney in July, while a New South Wales team visited Queensland in August.
Teams
The Gardiner Challenge Cup was open to all clubs who were part of the Union upon payment of an entry fee. After being rejected by the clubs last season, a Junior Cup was held for all Junior Clubs to enter. In addition to this, a Union Cup was also held for all second fifteens of senior or junior clubs, or those clubs who did not enter either of the other cups. When entries closed for the different competitions on the 10th May there were 14 entries into the Gardiner Challenge Cup, 11 entries into the Junior Cup and 16 entries for the Union Cup.[1]
Of the senior clubs, three did not survive to the new season. Both Burwood and Balmain Wellington folded during the previous season's play, while Balmain did not survive into the new year. Five junior clubs entered into the Senior Cup: Strathfield, Elvira, Randwick, Double Bay and Cammeray. Three new clubs were formed and entered the senior ranks: Zealandia, Parramatta and Strathfield Rovers. The Union also allowed Sydney University to enter a second team into the competition. Unfortunately, the Strathfield Rovers did not see out the season, lasting only one match before being disbanded.
The 1889 Sydney Rugby Premiership returned to its usual starting slot of mid-May. For the third season, entries for the senior cup were open to all member clubs of the Union for a fee. Prior to the season beginning, a meeting of the Southern Rugby Football Union saw much debate concerning the allocation of points during a match. It was proposed that the points be amended with tries receiving a greater score. The amendment was carried with points now being allocated as such: Tries- 3 points, Goals- 2 points, Goal from the field- 4 points.[2] Once the entries had closed, a draw was written which took into account the numerous representative matches that were planned for the season. It was decided that the premiership would be put on hold when these important games took place. This meant that teams would only be able to play seven matches which would not allow them to play against each of the senior teams in the competition. With the long list of senior clubs, it was seen as a mistake by the Union to write up such a draw.[3]
Season Summary
The past season of football was seen as being productive of grand all round play among the different clubs. Many players lifted the quality of their game play, resulting in them coming into consideration for representative matches. Chief amongst these were Paddy Flynn and Percy Colquhoun of Sydney University, and James McMahon of Rosedale. For his team, Flynn displayed exceptional kicking skills that saw great benefit to the scoring capabilities of the 'Varsity. His accuracy at kicking a goal from the field was seen as developing the game further. McMahon was exceptional in his tackling, saving many a certain try. A unique tackling style, he waits patiently for his prey before pouncing upon them around the waist bringing them to the turf. Over the previous seasons, Percy Colquhoun had shown to be a valuable member of any team that he was a part of. However his performances during the season were of the very best form with his performance against McMahon in the 'Varsity match against Rosedale the highest point.[4]
For the third season in a row, the Sydney University Football Club completed the season undefeated. Since the beginning of the 1887 season, the team had won 24 matches and drew only 1. Over the course of these games, University had scored 334 points with only 27 points scored against them. From the beginning of the premiership, the 'Varsity were playing grandly together with many a selfless act. They out-paced all other teams with exceptional to only the visiting Māori's.[4] Three times they held their opponents scoreless, while the remaining games saw only three tries scored against them. Their match against Wallaroo resulted in University winning by 54 points to nil. It was reported that their game play was brilliant rendering their opponents almost paralysed.[5] The slippery wet conditions that was the scene of their match against Arfoma limited the free and open play that was characteristic of both teams. With both clubs being undefeated prior to the match, much interest was held in the result. A tight and rough game saw the 'Varsity hold on to win 9 points to 7.[6]
The only blemish to the 'Varsity's perfect season was that the two top teams did not meet each other on the field of battle. With the draw only taking into account 7 games, the new senior club of Strathfield did not face the eventual premiers. Strathfield had a favourable draw with the club also avoiding matches against the in-form Arfoma and Rosedale teams. As a result, the club remained undefeated having played only lower ranked teams. Their strength as a team had not been sufficiently tested.[7]
During the course of the season, the Arfoma Football Club performed well, winning all but their match against the eventual premiers. Most of their games were played against lower ranked teams which they won easily. Arfoma defeated Rosedale early in the season before maintaining an unbeaten run until their loss at the end of the season against University. Out of their number, Fred Hillyar, Albert Sefton and D Walker were chosen for representative duties.[8]
The final order of teams on the table was based upon number of wins, number of losses, points scored then points scored against.[15]
Numbers highlighted in blue indicates the team finished first on the ladder in that round.
Numbers highlighted in red indicates the team finished in last place on the ladder in that round.
Lower Grades
Junior Badges
After refusing to play for a cup during the previous season, the Junior clubs recognised that the decision was detrimental to their success. With falling crowd numbers and less attention in the press, many questioned the wisdom in not playing for a cup or trophy.[16] As soon as the new season began, the Union arranged for there to be a Junior Badges competition for those clubs not entered into the senior competition. Eleven entries were received, with a draw written, games were scheduled from 25 May to 24 August.[1] At the end of the season, Petersham and the Artillery faced off in a match at the Randwick Reserve that was seen as the "final". Petersham won the match 12 points to nil and were awarded the Junior Badges. As they had the harder draw, they Petersham were seen to be worthy winners of the badges.[17]
A condition of the Union Cup proceeding in 1888 was that a Junior Cup would be played.[18] With the Junior clubs refusing the cup offered, no Union Cup was held. At the beginning of the new season, the Union decided to set up a Junior Badges competition and with that a Union Badges competition. The Union Badges saw sixteens teams enter the competition. These teams were a mix of seconds from the senior clubs and clubs who did not enter the Junior Badges. The draw saw ten rounds with teams playing nine games during the season.[1] A final was held between Rosedale Seconds and Double Bay Seconds who were both undefeated during the regular games. Despite Double Bay holding all of their opponents scoreless, Rosedale won the match 7 points to 3 in one of the best contests held at the Agricultural Ground. Rosedale Seconds were declared winners of the Union Badges.[19]
Sydney University (6th title)
Strathfield
Petersham
Rosedale II
Manly
The Pirates
Arfoma II
Randwick II
Rosedale II
Wallaroo II
Zealandia II