(1) The History of Durham County Rugby 1876 -1936 stated that “the first International match (quite unofficial) between England and Scotland took place in the 17th Century. The contestants were 20 Tynedale men against a like number from Liddesdale, the Southeners winning 3-2. A return was played on the Haugh close by Kielder Castle. Five games were played and after four the tally stood at two-all. The North Tyne lads won the fifth, and were declared the winners.”
“No score is given, nor details of the duration of the battle, for ‘battle’ it assuredly was. Several players were so exhausted by the intensity of the struggle that a few who died soon afterwards date the beginning of their illness to that memorable day.”

NB. This was 200 years before William Webb Ellis “took an unfair advantage at football.”

(2) During the 1880’s Tynedale owed much to their North Tyne and Redeswater players. Living miles from the nearest railway station in the days before motor cars were heard of, these men travelled amazing distances on horseback. All the Border men were expert horsemen, but a ride of 16-18 miles on a cold, dark and possibly snowy winter night, having played for Tynedale, speaks volumes for their enthusiasm and toughness. Tynedale was proud of these Robsons, Dodds, Elliots, and others, and their descendants, and owed a great debt to the North Tyne families.

(3) In season 1912/13 Tynedale had a remarkable holiday programme and played seven games over Christmas and New Year, winning them all by a margin of 133 points to 17. As the fixtures comprised Durham City, Jedforest, North Durham, Carlisle (twice), Wakefield and Northern the performance was an outstanding one. However, as B.D. Plummer was the only player to take part in all seven matches, it may be that the others weren’t quite as tough as we imagine!
Ben Plummer, later the Managing Proprietor of the Hexham Courant, certainly was tough. Commissioned in the 4th Northumberland Fusiliers, then, as a qualified Mining Engineer seconded to the Royal Engineers he served for 3.5 years with the 185th Tunnelling Company. He was appointed Captain in 1917, served with distinction and was awarded the Military Cross.
After the war Ben captained Tynedale for six years - still a record. In 1923, aged 30 years, he again played over the Christmas and New Year period. This time 11 matches in 18 days, which doesn’t suggest any lessening in his resolve and hardiness.

(4) Ben Plummer’s Vice-Captain for the first six seasons following the First World War, and Club Captain for the two seasons thereafter was Davie Forster. As Private Forster of the Northumberland Fusiliers Davie had served as batman to one of Tynedale’s greatest pre-war players, Lieut. Col.William Robb. For conspicuous gallantry in saving the latter’s life on the Somme by carrying his severely wounded CO, under heavy fire, to a place of safety 600 yards away, he was decorated with the Military Medal. (A Military Cross if he had been an officer then)
Davie’s son, David, after playing for the club before the Second World War was killed escaping from a prisoner-of-war camp in Italy. A brave, determined and tough family!

D.F.Hamilton