Hal Sever
Encyclopedia
Hal Sever was an English rugby international playing ten matches. He was educated at Shrewsbury School, which is normally regarded as a footballing school. He made his debut in 1936 as a member of the first English team to defeat the All Blacks
and played an integral role in the English team in 1937 that won the Triple Crown. He played his last international game against Scotland in 1938. He played club rugby for Sale
and represented Cheshire
as well as playing 8 matches for the Barbarians
.
and Wilf Wooller of Wales and Ken Fyfe of Scotland.
He made his international debut against the All Blacks in the famous "Obolensky" match when Prince Obolensky
scored two tries. Sever scored the other try in a 13-0 win which was England's first against New Zealand.
Sever's most memorable performance was in the Triple Crown series in 1937. He scored vital points in each match starting with a drop goal against Wales in a 4-3 victory at Twickenham
. Sever scored a matchwinning try in the next match against Ireland on 13 February 1937 in which he beat several defenders in scoring wide out. The final score was 9-8. In the final match of the series at Murrayfield
, Sever scored the second try in a 6-3 victory over Scotland.
His final international match was against Scotland in 1938 at Twickenham which was the first rugby match to be televised on the BBC. According to the Guinness Book of Sporting Blunders, Sever "dramatically ran into the opposition goalpost, losing not only the ball but his teeth as well". Sever disputed this version of events in the Daily Telegraph in its edition of 26 February 1999 saying "The suggestion that I collided with the posts is absolute nonsense... I very nearly reached the tryline, was upheld by the opposing pack and was unable to ground the ball." Scotland won the match 21-16.
All Blacks
The New Zealand men's national rugby union team, known as the All Blacks, represent New Zealand in what is regarded as its national sport....
and played an integral role in the English team in 1937 that won the Triple Crown. He played his last international game against Scotland in 1938. He played club rugby for Sale
Sale Sharks
Sale Sharks are a professional rugby union club who play in England in the Aviva Premiership.The club is an offshoot of Sale FC, which is based at Heywood Road in Sale, Greater Manchester, but Sharks currently play in Stockport at Edgeley Park, ground sharing with Stockport County F.C.Part of the...
and represented Cheshire
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
as well as playing 8 matches for the Barbarians
Barbarian F.C.
The Barbarian Football Club, usually referred to as the Barbarians and nicknamed the "Baa-Baas", is an invitational rugby union team based in Britain...
.
Career
Sever was part of an international three-quarter line for Sale playing with Claude DaveyClaude Davey
Claude Davey was a Wales international rugby union player who played club rugby for several teams, most notably Sale and Swansea. He was awarded 23 caps for Wales and captained his country eight times...
and Wilf Wooller of Wales and Ken Fyfe of Scotland.
He made his international debut against the All Blacks in the famous "Obolensky" match when Prince Obolensky
Alexander Obolensky
Prince Alexander Sergeevich Obolensky was a Russian Rurikid prince and an international rugby union footballer who played for England. He was popularly known as just "The Prince" by many sports fans.-Biography:...
scored two tries. Sever scored the other try in a 13-0 win which was England's first against New Zealand.
Sever's most memorable performance was in the Triple Crown series in 1937. He scored vital points in each match starting with a drop goal against Wales in a 4-3 victory at Twickenham
Twickenham Stadium
Twickenham Stadium is a stadium located in Twickenham, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. It is the largest rugby union stadium in the United Kingdom and has recently been enlarged to seat 82,000...
. Sever scored a matchwinning try in the next match against Ireland on 13 February 1937 in which he beat several defenders in scoring wide out. The final score was 9-8. In the final match of the series at Murrayfield
Murrayfield Stadium
Murrayfield Stadium is a sports stadium located in the west end of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. Its all-seater capacity was recently reduced from 67,800 to 67,130 to incorporate the largest permanent "big screen" in the country though it still remains the largest stadium in Scotland and one...
, Sever scored the second try in a 6-3 victory over Scotland.
His final international match was against Scotland in 1938 at Twickenham which was the first rugby match to be televised on the BBC. According to the Guinness Book of Sporting Blunders, Sever "dramatically ran into the opposition goalpost, losing not only the ball but his teeth as well". Sever disputed this version of events in the Daily Telegraph in its edition of 26 February 1999 saying "The suggestion that I collided with the posts is absolute nonsense... I very nearly reached the tryline, was upheld by the opposing pack and was unable to ground the ball." Scotland won the match 21-16.