The 1901 Metropolitan Rugby Union season was the 28th season of the Sydney Rugby Premiership. It was the second season run for clubs that represented a district. Eight clubs (seven representing a district, the remaining club representing Sydney University) competed from May till August 1901. The season culminated in the second district premiership, which was won by Glebe and Sydney University. Both teams had finished the season at the top of the premiership table and as a result were to play a final to determine the Premiership. However, both clubs decided not to play a final resulting in both being declared joint premiers.
Teams Eight clubs contested the season; seven clubs representing a district and one club representing Sydney University. Balmain Formed on 26 March 1900 Ground: Birchgrove Oval Captain: E MulletEastern Suburbs Formed on 22 March 1900 Ground: Rushcutters Bay Oval Captain: Percy MacnamaraGlebe Formed on 15 March 1900 Ground: Wentworth Park Captain: Tom Costello Newtown Formed on 22 March 1900 Captain: Fred HenlenNorth Sydney Formed on 23 March 1900 Ground: North Sydney Oval Captain: Iggy O'DonnellSouth Sydney Formed on 26 March 1900 Ground: RAS Showground Captain: J BourkeSydney University Formed on 19 August 1865 Ground: University Oval Captain: Horace JonesWestern Suburbs Formed on 22 March 1900 Captain: William Shortland
Season summary The 1901 Sydney Rugby Premiership was deemed the greatest season ever seen in Sydney up to that time. Public interest was never before so keen with proceeds for the matches far exceeding previous seasons. The standard of play had improved with a new group of young players joining the senior grade teams and being chosen to play in representative matches.
At the end of the season, the two clubs Glebe and Sydney University finished tied at the top of the table. As per the rules of the period, the two teams were to face each other in a final to determine the premiership. To the disappointment of the public, both clubs decided not to play the final and were thus declared joint premiers. Both clubs had lost key players to the tour of New Zealand.
It was difficult to pick which of the two premiers were the better team. Both teams displayed consistency during the season. University winning 5 games in the first round and 5 in the second round. Together, three-quarters Harry Blaney, Arthur Fisher and Andrew McDowell scored the majority of the points for the "Varsity". Glebe were unbeaten in the second round of games and were considered to have a better forward pack. Unfortunately during the season they had the higher injury toll affecting their back line.
At the conclusion of the season, the football world was shocked by the sudden death of Western Suburbs captain, William Shortland. Shortland had only just returned from the rugby tour of New Zealand on Friday, 13 September. In the early hours of Tuesday, 17 September he succumbed to a, "cold of the kidneys" He was only 26 years of age.
Ladder
TeamPldWDLBPFPAPDPts1 Sydney University141022016161 +100222 Glebe141103012966 +63223 South Sydney1491409295 -3194 Eastern Suburbs14824016179 +82185 North Sydney14428064116 -52106 Western Suburbs14419085122 -3797 Newtown14239079109 -3078 Balmain142111063186 -1235
Ladder Progression
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
Team12345678910111213141 Sydney University2468101111111314161820222 Glebe0224668101214161820North Sydney forfeited their game against Glebe.223 South Sydney24688810121415171719194 Eastern Suburbs2246679111314141616185 North Sydney0222466778888106 Western Suburbs222246888899997 Newtown002223344677778 Balmain00000111111355
Statistics
Points PlayerPlTGFGPts1 Harry Blaney147192702 Leo Finn115104533 Stanley Wickham12372364 Arthur Fisher14920315 Andrew McDowell141000306 James Joyce12182287 WA Hay14162278 George Roberts12800249 Harold Evers121522310 Joseph McMahon1424222
Tries PlayerPlT1 Andrew McDowell14102 Arthur Fisher1493 George Roberts1284 Harry Blaney1475 Patrick Higgins1366 Leo Finn1157 Stanley Rowley1158 William Lindsay1259 Louis D'Alpuget14410 EC Deering94
Lower Grades The MRFU also conducted Second Grade and Third Grade competitions this season.
Second Grade The eight clubs that were participating in First Grade entered a team for the Second Grade competition. At the end of the regular season games, Glebe and Sydney University finished on the same points at the top of the ladder. In the final, University won 9 points to 6 and were thus declared Premiers. Newtown did not see out the season, withdrawing after two rounds.
Third Grade Seven of the First Grade clubs entered a team into the Third Grade competition. The only club missing was Western Suburbs. Balmain finished the season undefeated at the top of the ladder and were declared Premiers.
Participating Clubs ClubGrade1st2nd3rd Balmain District Football ClubYYY Eastern Suburbs District Rugby Football ClubYYY Glebe District Football ClubYYY Newtown District Football ClubYYY North Sydney District Rugby Football ClubYYY South Sydney District Football ClubYYY Sydney University Football ClubYYY Western Suburbs District Rugby Football ClubYY
Footnotes
References
Sydney Club Rugby History. "Sydney Club Season". Referee (Sydney, NSW: 1886 - 1939). 1901-08-21. p. 8.