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From the Back of a Motorbike

Name: From the Back of a Motorbike
Address: Nottingham, NG35HF, GB
Telephone: +447762202268

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For more than twenty-five years I photographed first class Rugby Union in England and Wales. Well no more. Why ‘From the Back of a Motorbike’?

For much of that time I was the lead Rugby Union photographer for the Sunday Telegraph Picture Desk, part of the highly regarded sports photography team For more than twenty years I photographed first class Rugby Union in England and Wales. For much of that time I was the lead Rugby Union photographer for the Sunday Telegraph Picture Desk, part of the highly regarded sports photography team that N

igel Skelsey and Malcolm Lang had carefully brought together. After The Sunday Telegraph I owned and ran, with my business partner Tim Hewson the SportsNet UK Sports Photo Agency based in Kings Langley and later Park Royal. I ceased photographing sport as my main profession in 2001, however my archive is still here, hidden away in my office, and whilst I now concentrate on Conferences and Events, the Rugby Union Archive of Pete Jenkins is gathering dust. More than 700 hundred Rugby individual matches, and 50, 000 frames to examine, edit and scan, it will be a long job, however it may prove to be one of the most extensive privately owned and run Rugby Union archives of its kind. From 1980 - 2001 my main mode of transport was a a series of Motorbikes, mostly 750 four stroke four cylinder machines and in the final seven years a Moto Guzzi California II

07/09/2026

Back in the Day – Bathtime for Wasps. Wasps v Bath, 06-15, 07/10/1995, Courage League 1, Repton Avenue.

Rob Andrew was the story in this game for many reasons. Before the match we learned that he would become the new Director of Rugby as well as a player at Sir John Hall’s newly purchased Newcastle Falcons (formerly Newcastle Gosforth). The England fly-half had a torrid time on the pitch missing six out of seven penalties and three of his four drop goal attempts were charged down by Mike Catt. He never finished the match as he had to go off to have eleven stitches in his lip and forehead. He did however, score all of Wasps’ points with that one penalty and one drop goal.

For Bath it was without question Adedayo Adebayo’s match as he scored both the visitors tries, which were topped off by Jon Callard’s single conversion and one penalty.

Not the best of games to photograph, however Adedayo Adebayo was on fire!

So how many of these players do you recognise?
Which pictures were used in the newspapers?
I love my rugby.
Happy days!

Rugby is a wonderful sport. It is so much more than just a game. It makes us happy, and it provides us with lifelong friends. When play on the pitch stops, those friendships endure and remain with us for ever. Photographs are one way of reminding us of our teammates and the friends that we made over the years.

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Photos © 1995 Pete Jenkins – Wasps v Bath, 06-15, 07/10/1995, Courage League 1, Repton Avenue.

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03/09/2026

Back in the Day – North v South London. Harlequin v Saracens, 23-15, 07/10/1995, Courage League 1, Stoop Memorial Ground.

It only took two minutes for David Pears to put Quins on the scoreboard with a penalty (3-0). The game was fairly even with both sides making attacks, both sides struggling with the ball and neither side looking as sharp as both were capable of being.

After several attempts Andy Lee equalised the scores with a penalty (3-3). Eventually they went in for oranges (3-3).

The second half did liven up a bit. First David Pears put Quins back in the lead with another penalty (6-3). Saracens retaliated with one of the best moves of the game, Martin Gregory getting the overlap and a try which Andy Lee converted (6-10).

Following a line-out it was Quins turn to look as good as their reputation Kitchin fed Pears and the Home side Threequarters stepped up a few gears, ending up with Gareth Allison touching down between the posts. Pears’ conversion a formality (13-10).

A lovely chip from Andy Lee, with the gods favouring him on the bounce, meant another try (13-15). Getting closer to the end of the game it looked like Sarries might pull it off, but no. Quins were not yet beaten.

The Home side scrum got the ball for Kitchin who fed Pears, who found Jim Stapkles with a loooong pass. He broke and fed Daren O’Leary who scored a lovely try just ready for Davis Pears to convert (20-15).

Moments later David Pears had the last score of the game with a spot on drop goal (23-15)

Not the best first half, but the second half made up for it.

So how many of these players do you recognise?
Which pictures were used in the newspapers?
I love my rugby.
Happy days!

Rugby is a wonderful sport. It is so much more than just a game. It makes us happy, and it provides us with lifelong friends. When play on the pitch stops, those friendships endure and remain with us for ever. Photographs are one way of reminding us of our teammates and the friends that we made over the years.

Photos © 1995 Pete Jenkins – Harlequin v Saracens, 23-15, 07/10/1995, Courage League 1, Stoop Memorial Ground.

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02/09/2026

Back in the Day – West come South to join the Media circus. Harlequin FC v West Hartlepool RFC, 34-18, 30/09/1995, Courage League 1, Stoop Memorial Ground.

I can’t remember why Will Carling was so important on 3oth September 1995. The 57 Old Farts fiasco was back in May, and the Rugby World Cup was done and dusted. Perhaps he had been in the same gym as Princess Diana once, I really don’t remember. However, I do recall it was a right media circus, with Mr Carling at the centre.

The weather was good – the grass was green etc and Quins were entertaining bottom-of-the-table West Hartlepool. The home side attacked from the start and soon David Pears make his first strike for goal, the ball bouncing off the posts. Quins did not let this minor setback stop them and their attack was pretty much relentless.

A big clearance from Tim Stimpson saw West on the attack ten yards from the Quins line, however Chris Sheasby and Rory Jenkins worked a number, and Quins were back on the attack, ending in a David Pears drop-goal (3-0).

Mike Shelley bulldozed his way through the home defence and this time it was Tim Stimpson who split the posts (3-3). Two more kick attempts went way ward with a Paul Hodder drop and Stimpson penalty, each just failing.

Quins reestablished the attack, however still no meaningful score. West eventually turned the Quins attack around, and ran at the city boys, with some good passing ending up with Paul Hodder on an overlap and a try (3-8).

Harlequins’ moment did come. Chris Sheasby tapped back from a lineout, Will Carling was fed the ball, and the England Captain powered towards the line and scored Quin’s first try. David Pears added the extras (10-8). Quins now had the bit between the teeth, and their backs ran forwards. Sheasby picked up the ball from the five-metre scrum and scored (15-8). West bounced straight back, Ashley parker grabbing a three-pointed, and soon after they went in for oranges (15-11).

Rory Jenkins led the 2nd half attack for Quins, stopped close to the line. From the scrum Rob Kitchin grabbed a try, David Pears again adding the extra two (22-11). The next Quins attack was thwarted by Tim Stimpson who powered over between the posts, which he also converted (22-18). The match came truly alive.

West attacked with fervour yet struggled to get close to the Quins line. Eventually the attack broke, and Quins once again ended up on the visitors’ line. Simon Brown broke through from a maul and scored, Pears again doing the duty (29-18).

West continued to probe; however, the Quins defence was too good. Eventually Spencer Bromley got the ball, broke inside the Hartlepool defence to score (34-18). The Harlequin attack continued until the final whistle, upon which Will Carling received a standing ovation from the crowd.

Cracking game of rugby.

So how many of these players do you recognise?
Which pictures were used in the newspapers?
I love my rugby.
Happy days!

Rugby is a wonderful sport. It is so much more than just a game. It makes us happy, and it provides us with lifelong friends. When play on the pitch stops, those friendships endure and remain with us for ever. Photographs are one way of reminding us of our teammates and the friends that we made over the years.

follow

Photos © 1995 Pete Jenkins – Harlequin FC v West Hartlepool RFC, 34-18, 30/09/1995, Courage League 1, Stoop Memorial Ground.

01/09/2026

Back in the Day – The might of the North comes to London. Saracens v Orrell, 12-9, 16/09/1995, Courage League 1, Bramley Road.

In my early days of supplying Fleet Street, I rarely got to go outside of the M25. Initially, this was not a problem as there were no leagues in the early 1980’s, there was no easy way of ‘wiring’ photos. If one wanted to send a photo to a different part of the country one would have to either give a film to the reporter of the visiting teams local paper, use ‘Red Star’ and have the film/photos collected at the other end or use a motorcycle courier. I didn’t like any of these methods, as with the first, it inevitably meant the films was lost for ever, Red Star was a real pain in the proverbials, prone to all sorts of mishaps, and motorcycle couriers were prohibitively expensive for a freelance such as myself, and clients baulked at the expense.

When a crack team like Orrell came to London it was a specific treat for me. There were nine main London clubs back then, all of whom were of interest to not only their own local papers but to the denizens of Fleet Street. Blackheath, Harlequin, London Irish, London Scottish, London Welsh, Metropolitan Police, Richmond, Rosslyn Park, Saracens and of course Wasps. In theory at least and usually in practice I could cover two home games on a Saturday afternoon, by careful timing and use of my trademark motorcycle.

Orrell were well known for their hard and skilful pack, and a handy set of backs to support them. Saracens whilst maybe not one of the ‘popular’ clubs, always had a good team and their own forwards were ‘handy’ too. The likes of Jason Leonard, Ben Clarke and Dean Ryan had gone through their books and been enticed to other teams, and new forwards were always coming through. The backs were skilful and a match for the visitors.

Simon built up a lead for Orrell withy penalties, Andy Tunningly playing catch-up, with kicks of his own. Orell were leading 6-9 with five minutes to go, and it looked like they would be celebrating on the way back up the M1. However, Andy Tiunningly, scored an equaliser and then a winning penalty one and a half minutes into injury time (12-9).

A dour, hard, forward-dominated game of rugby.

So how many of these players do you recognise?
Which pictures were used in the newspapers?
I love my rugby.
Happy days!

Rugby is a wonderful sport. It is so much more than just a game. It makes us happy, and it provides us with lifelong friends. When play on the pitch stops, those friendships endure and remain with us for ever. Photographs are one way of reminding us of our teammates and the friends that we made over the years.

follow

Photos © 1995 Pete Jenkins – Saracens v Orrell, 12-9, 16/09/1995, Courage League 1, Bramley Road

27/08/2026

Back in the Day – London’s longest lasting rugby rivalry. Harlequin v Wasps, 29-20, 16/09/1995, Courage League 1, Stoop Memorial Ground.

Harlequin v Wasps was always a charged game. A rivalry that goes back to the very early days of Rugby, from the before time when there was no Rugby Football Union. Hampstead Football club was formed in 1866. For reasons that are not totally clear, a disagreement perhaps, part of the club split away and formed Wasps FC. The Hampstead Club (different to the club of that name that I photographed in the 1980s) renamed itself Harlequin FC in 1870. And then Harlequin FC was one of the founder members of the RFU in 1871. The only founding member of the union still to be playing at the highest level in English club rugby.

Something about being on the magic telly box – Rugby Special, made a club game particularly exciting. Both sides went into this with very strong lineups, oodles of international talent on display.

Rob Andrew opened the scoring for the visitors with an easy three-pointer (0-3), having missed his first opportunity.

Quins came back with a purpose. After a line-out near the Wasps try-line the Quins forwards, with a series of rucks and mauls eventually gave Spencer Bromley the opportunity for a try (5-3). David Pears got the extras from the touchline conversion (7-3), and Quins were never to look back. Fingers on the ball in a ruck gave Pears another go, and he slotted another three (10-3).

Wasps turned up the steam, and eventually Quins conceded a penalty of their own, Andrew getting the points (10-6), and again a few minutes later (10-9), and it was with a one-point lead that they went in for oranges.

Quins came out of the tunnel with a purpose. Alex Snow got the ball from a lineout, and his pack drove him towards the line, Chris Sheasby grabbed the ball and touched down, David Pears again getting the extras from the difficult touchline angle (17-9).

Wasps bounced back, and Rob Andrew got penalty no 4 (17-12). Pears got another for Quins (20-12), and then Andrew his fifth (20-15). With barely five minutes on the clock, Pears popped a drop-goal (23-15) and repeated the feat moments later (26-15).

Wasps came back like a battering ram, Paddy Dunston pushing himself over the line (26-20). Wasps’ pressure was unrelenting, however in amongst all of this David Pears managed his third drop-goal (29-20).

What a game, a wet and action-packed game of rugby.

So how many of these players do you recognise?
Which pictures were used in the newspapers?
I love my rugby.
Happy days!

Rugby is a wonderful sport. It is so much more than just a game. It makes us happy, and it provides us with lifelong friends. When play on the pitch stops, those friendships endure and remain with us for ever. Photographs are one way of reminding us of our teammates and the friends that we made over the years.

follow

Photos © 1995 Pete Jenkins – Harlequin v Wasps, 29-20, 16/09/1995, Courage League 1, Stoop Memorial Ground

26/08/2026

Back in the Day – Bristol charge into the Wasps nest. Wasps v Bristol, 33-5, 09/09/1995, Courage League 1, Repton Avenue.

There is always something special about the first league game of the season. For Wasps, they were straining at the leash, with their captain Dean Ryan looking forward to a great season. Bristol were equally keen and they had a strong team and a substantial pack with Garath Archer and Simon Shaw in the engine room.

It took no longer than four minutes for Rob Andrew to put the home side in to the lead with a penalty (3-0). Bristol came straight back as Kyran Bracken led the attack. Mark Regan crossed the line from a line-out putting Bristol into the lead (3-5). Bristol continued the attack after the restart; however, the Wasps defence was solid. Wasps threequarters were on form. Damian Hopley drove through the Bristol defenders, and the Wasps Three-quarter line was off, Damian Hopley finishing the move he started (8-5). Despite other Wasps’ attacks this was the scoreline when they went in for oranges.

It was Shane Rosier who scored next, in the corner (13-5). Andrew then got penalty number 2 (16-5)Bristol came back straight away with a new attack; however some tricky handling gave Rosier another opportunity, and he picked up and ran 60 yards to cross the line (21-5). The Bristol side was now in sixes and sevens, Dean Ryan scored from a forward s attack (26-5), Andrew got the extras (28-5), and Damian Hopley scored his second, punching through the Bristol line (33-5).

The battle between Kyran Bracken and Andy Gopmersall was great to watch, and of course it was a rivalry all the way up to international level.

An entertain game of rugby.

So how many of these players do you recognise?
Which pictures were used in the newspapers?
I love my rugby.
Happy days!

Rugby is a wonderful sport. It is so much more than just a game. It makes us happy, and it provides us with lifelong friends. When play on the pitch stops, those friendships endure and remain with us for ever. Photographs are one way of reminding us of our teammates and the friends that we made over the years.

follow

Photos © 1995 Pete Jenkins – Wasps v Bristol, 33-5, 09/09/1995, Courage League 1, Repton Avenue.

25/08/2026

Back in the Day – The Bath steamroller batter the concrete Quins, Harlequin v Bath, 13-31, 01/04/1995, Pilkington Cup semi-final, Stoop Memorial Ground.

After losing to Wasps the previous week, the Bath team were itching to take it out on someone, and it was Harlequins who got the backlash.

Quins were not going to be anybody’s patsies though, and had to face a Bath team, playing better than I had seen them all season.

Jon Callard took advantage of an early offside to put Bath into the lead with an early penalty (0-3). Quins responded immediately, Rory Jenkins picking up a loose ball and running towards the Bath line, passing to Rob Kitchin and Jim Staples touched down in the corner (5-3).
Neither side gave an inch, attack and defence both sold on each side, until a clearance from David Pears found the Bath fullback, and from the ruck a new move developed, ending with Phil de Glanville touching down between the posts. (5-8), a position JC could not miss from (5-10).
Quins again came back straight away and nearly scored in the corner; however, the Bath defence was equally determined. Home side pressure was unforgiving, and it was only the best of defences that stopped Chris Sheasby, as Mike Catt tacked him into touch. Unremitting pressure was eventually rewarded with a Staples three-pointer (8-10).

They went in for oranges at (8-10)

Jon Callard popped a long three-pointer early in the second-half, (8-13) and after some messy play Tony Swift capitalised on errors and stormed over the line (8-18) and JC got the extras (8-20). Minutes later Mike Catt dropped a goal (8-23) and took the game seemingly beyond the home side’s reach.

Bath turned on the screws, and the attack was ruthless. Harlequin defence was equally obstinate. Eventually the play moved back into the visitor’s half. Some tooing and froing and the Jeremy Guscott kicked into space, Tony Swift gathering the loose ball on the touchline and scoring (8-28).

Quins came back briefly with Paul Challinor diving over for a try (13-28) and JC got a final penalty (13-31).

David Pears was lost to concussion and Jim Staples to a leg injury (allowing Paul Challinor to come on and score)

A cracking game of rugby.

So how many of these players do you recognise?
Which pictures were used in the newspapers?
I love my rugby.
Happy days!

Rugby is a wonderful sport. It is so much more than just a game. It makes us happy, and it provides us with lifelong friends. When play on the pitch stops, those friendships endure and remain with us for ever. Photographs are one way of reminding us of our teammates and the friends that we made over the years.

follow

Photos © 1995 Pete Jenkins – Harlequin v Bath, 13-31, 01/04/1995, Pilkington Cup semi-final, Stoop Memorial Ground

Follow 🏉

24/08/2026

Back in the Day – Taking a Bath in a Wasps nest. Wasps v Bath, 11-10, 25/03/1995, Courage League 1, Repton Avenue.

Games played between these two combatants rarely failed to thrill, and this one-point victory showed that Bath were not guaranteed to get their anticipated double in 1995. These were the times of Bath, Leicester and Wasps being the top three clubs in England, and in this season the gap between them and the pack was quite marked.

Repton Avenue was reputedly a small ground, especially when you compared it to stadia such as Welford Road and Kinsgholm, however they were packed to the rafters for this clash of titans.

Both sides attacked with venom and defended with passion, and it was difficult for either side to break the other. They certainly kept referee Jon Pearson on his toes

The kickers of both sides had a difficult day, Jon Callard and Rob Andrew, both masters of their art but having an off day, each missing more kicks than he landed.

It was 20 minutes into the game before the chaps working the scoreboard had to do anything and Rob Andrew got a three-pointer (3-0). Three minutes from Oranges Matt Greenwood scored a try from a maul (8-0).

Four minutes into the new half Rob Andrew got his second penalty (11-0), and Bath now had it all to do. Eventually Jon Callard got a three-pointer for Bath (11-3) and Rich Butland got a try which Callard converted (11-10) with 15 minutes to go. Tense or what. Several kicks at goal were made but failed to score.

Tense and exciting game of rugby.

So how many of these players do you recognise?
Which pictures were used in the newspapers?
I love my rugby.
Happy days!

Rugby is a wonderful sport. It is so much more than just a game. It makes us happy, and it provides us with lifelong friends. When play on the pitch stops, those friendships endure and remain with us for ever. Photographs are one way of reminding us of our teammates and the friends that we made over the years.

follow

Photos © 1995 Pete Jenkins – Wasps v Bath, 11-10, 25/03 /1995, Courage League 1, Repton Avenue.

20/08/2026

Back in the Day – England complete another Italian job. England A v Italy A, 33-9, 19/02/1995, International friendly, Kingsholm.

It wasn’t often that I covered England games over in Gloucester, however the Kingsholm stadium was a cracking venue for this international ‘A’ game.

This match featured many players who would go onto become England regulars, as well as many who didn’t, but probably could have, or should have.

Jez Harris opened the scoring for England with just a minute on the clock with a three pointer (3-0), the Italians with one of their own from Luigi Troiani (3-3) minutes later. The English backs started to play an open game, which the Italians struggled with, however when it came to the forwards it was a closer match.

Italy took the lead at ten minutes with another Troiani penalty (3-6). At this point England began to sort themselves out and play good rugby. Play moved up closer and closer to the Italians line, and the attacks began in earnest. Despite the pressure, scores were elusive until another Harris penalty at 23 minutes (6-6). Then from a lineout and drive Harvey Thorneycroft steamed in on the left wing to get the first try, duly converted by Mr Harris (13-6).

English pressure was now non-stop, and the next scorer was Steve Bates from a scrum near the Italian line (18-6). Minutes later Mr H popped another three (21-6). Paul Hull made a lovely move in his own half, fed Harvey T who then shredded the Italian defence, feeding Jon Sleigtholme, who got the five points (21-6). Jez Harris got the extras (23-6) just in time for oranges.

Fresh from the mid-game relaxation the English attack continued With Harvey T again making the break, Jon Sleigtholme talking it on putting Richard Hill over, Mr H once again getting the conversion (30-6). A penalty each for Harris and Troiani finished the scoring and the game ended 33-9.

Cracking game of rugger.

So how many of these players do you recognise?
Which pictures were used in the newspapers?
I love my rugby.
Happy days!

Rugby is a wonderful sport. It is so much more than just a game. It makes us happy, and it provides us with lifelong friends. When play on the pitch stops, those friendships endure and remain with us for ever. Photographs are one way of reminding us of our teammates and the friends that we made over the years.

follow

Photos © 1995 Pete Jenkins – England A v Italy A, 33-9, 19/02/1995, International friendly, Kingsholm.

19/08/2026

Back in the Day – City chaps take on the exiles in the Cup. London Irish v Harlequin, 15-40, 28/01/1995, Pilkington Cup 5th Round, The Avenue.

Back in the day, before he got to coach England, Clive Woodward coached London Irish. Although Quins won this Pilkington Cup match, and deservedly, the Exiles played a good game for the entire 80 minutes and it was a joy to photographer and dare I say it I would imagine a treaty for the spectators too.

Harlequin attacked from the start, and at a knock-on Paul Challinor opened the scoring with a simple penalty (0-3). Minutes later, Irish conceded a second penalty that Challinor got another penalty (0-6).

Irish were not phased, not at the Avenue and when it came to the turn of Steve Cathcart, he pulled back three points himself (3-6). Irish made use of the up-and-under and put Quins under pressure. Jim Staples was put under pressure; Paul Bell collected the loose ball and scored the game’s first try; Steve Cathcart easily got the extras (7-6). Cathcart picked up and other penalty (10-6). Quins came back with a fury and drove the home side back towards the Irish line. Pressure, pressure, Pressure, until Colin Hall stamped on Chris Sheasby and got a yellow card, and Irish nearly conceded another three points to Challinor’s boot, however the ball veered to the left at the last moment. Ray Hennesey caught the ball but was immediately swamped by rampaging Quin forwards. Out came the ball via Andy Mullins to Will Greenwood who said thank you very much and dived over for five points. Challinor got the extras (10-13).
Greenwood went off on another run and this time is was Spencer Bromley who crossed the line (10-18)
Daren O’Leary went off, and Chris Wright came on and got stuck in. The Quin’s forwards attacked from a lineout, Jason Leonard charged towards the Irish line, which ended up in Chris Sheasby crashing over. (10-23).
Wowsa! In eight minutes, we went from Ian Irish 10-6 lead to 10-23, and then they went in for oranges.

In the second half Harlequins went from strength to strength. Martin Pepper got possession on his own 22, gave the ball to Paul Greenwood, who passed to Spencer Bromley, who brushing away Irish tackles scored, and PC added the extras (10-30). John Staples added another from a bouncing ball, PC doing the honours (10-37). At some point PC added a penalty and just to prove they were not spent Ray Hennessy scored the last try of the game (15-40)

Non-stop action from start-to-finish.

So how many of these players do you recognise?
Which pictures were used in the newspapers?
I love my rugby.
Happy days!

Rugby is a wonderful sport. It is so much more than just a game. It makes us happy, and it provides us with lifelong friends. When play on the pitch stops, those friendships endure and remain with us for ever. Photographs are one way of reminding us of our teammates and the friends that we made over the years.

follow

Photos © 1995 Pete Jenkins – London Irish v Harlequin, 15-40, 28/01/1995, Pilkington Cup 5th Round, The Avenue.

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