Today Previously: May 20th

Today: Previously  -  May 20th

Rugby League

Rovers have only played 3 previous matches on May 20th. The first of these was a First Division match against Wakefield Trinity at Belle Vue in 1964. It was a Wednesday night and the last match of the season. Rovers lost 21-0.

In 2001 Rovers lost again, this time away to Widnes by 25-22.

A much better result came in 2007. Again it was away. Rovers on their way to winning promotion from the depths of National League 2 and they took Gateshead Thunder apart in a 74-16 victory.

The Rovers team was:

Loz Wildbore; Danny Kirmond, Jon Whittle, Dale Cardoza, Dean Colton; Chris Ross, Paul Handforth; Ian Tonks, Paul Hughes, Stuart Dickens, Jamie Field, Richard Blakeway, Tommy Haughey.  Subs: Gavin Swinson, Carl Hughes, Steve Dooler, James Houston

Stuart Dickens kicked 11 goals and there were tries from 10 different players but the day’s star was young winger, Danny Kirmond, who crossed four times.

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How times change! In 2001, London Broncos played at Wheldon Lane and beat Cas 25-12. The Cas team that day included current Sky pundit, Jon Wells, on the wing and on the bench was Ian Tonks who signed for Fev the following year.

In 2011, it was the weekend of the Challenge Cup 5th round. Warrington had a home tie against Swinton Lions. Generally it was a good year for Swinton who finished at the top of Championship One but this was a really bad day for them losing 112-0!! Lee Briers scored a hatrick and kicked 16 goals. There were also Hat Tricks from Chris Riley and Garreth Carvell and Joel Monaghan bagged four tries.

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The British Lions were on tour in 1990 and on May 20th they played the Papua New Guinea Southern Zone winning by 40-18.

Two State of Origin matches were played in Brisbane on May 20th. In 1992 Queensland won 5-4 and in 1996 New South Wales won 14-6.

World Events

In 1293, 30,000 people killed by Japanese earthquake

In 1498, Vasco da Gama becomes first European to reach India
In 1609, First publication of Shakespeare’s sonnets
In 1867, Parliament rejects John Stuart Mills’ proposal for votes for women
In 1927, Lindbergh sets off for 1st non-stop cross-Atlantic flight
In 1965, Yorkshire bowled out for 23 by Hampshire at Headingley

Birthdays

1364 Henry Percy (Harry Hotspur), English politician and soldier
1806 John Stuart Mill, English philosopher
1844 Henri Rousseau, French painter
1908 James Stewart, American actor
1944 Joe Cocker, English rock singer
1976 Frédéric Banquet, French Featherstone Rovers Rugby League Player