From the Back of a Motorbike

From the Back of a Motorbike 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

Back in the Day – Auckland come to the Wasps nest. Wasps v Auckland, 25-28, 28/11/1993, Repton AvenueThis was a game I n...
11/06/2026

Back in the Day – Auckland come to the Wasps nest. Wasps v Auckland, 25-28, 28/11/1993, Repton Avenue

This was a game I never thought I would see, a top rugby club clash between an English and a Kiwi club clash at the highest level.
Yes, it was cold, (fecking freezing, so much so that the game was almost cancelled). And yes there was an unnecessary bit of stamping (on Chris Oti) which saw Kiwi wing-forward Dylan Mike sent off, but those two issues aside it was a magnificent game of rugby.

Kiwi rugby was a thing of legend in my upbringing (so was Welsh rugby I must make clear), and I always relish the opportunity to experience it (and Welsh rugby).

Auckland came out of the tunnel totally charged, and within a few minutes the Kiwi forward had charged the line and Kevin Nepia scored. Alan Buzza replied with a penalty, but Auckland soon came back with a another after a run from Jeremy Stanley on the wing.

Just as it looked like Wasps might be in trouble, they did find the gear stick and the home side’s game was raised. Wasps defensive work was superb, Buzza having a particularly good game. Wasps attacking began to build and Buzza had one beautiful run held up on the line. As they went in for Oranges the scored were level courtesy of a penalty try due to Kiwi handling in the ruck.

Shortly after the restart the stamping incident was spotted and for most of the second half Auckland were down to 14 men. It was hard to notice as Auckland attacks continued unabated, Charles Reichleman and Alfred Uluinayau both scoring tries. No 10 Mark George popped two penalties. Wasps were not left far behind with tries from Alan Buzza, Fran Clough and Mick Skinner.

Cracking match, and some lovely rugby.

This was the final game of Auckland’s UK tour (Auck’ score 2nd)
6/11/1993, v Anglo-Scots 12-33, 10/11/1993 Edinburgh District 21-27, 13/11/1993 v Scottish Districts 24-19, 17/11/1993 v Bedford 3-51, 20/11/1993 v Bristol 7-44, 24/11/1993 v West Hartlepool, 28/11/1993 v Wasps 25-28

So how many of these players do you recognise?
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 © 1993 Pete Jenkins - Wasps v Auckland, 25-28, 28/11/1993, Repton Avenue

Back in the Day – bath entertain the South African Baa-baas. Bath v South African Barbarians, 23-34, 06/11/1993, the Rec...
10/06/2026

Back in the Day – bath entertain the South African Baa-baas. Bath v South African Barbarians, 23-34, 06/11/1993, the Rec

This was one of those lunatic occasions when my Fleet Street masters exploited my use of a motorbike, to an almost lunatic degree. A three o’clock kick off in Bath, and a five o’clock deadline at the picture desk, and 118 miles between the two. The AA route planner suggests a driving time of 2 hours and thirty-one minutes!

I have always enjoyed Baa-baa rugby, but of course I am thinking all the time of the invitational team that used to play six matches a year and was first put together by William Carpmael in 1890 – a team to play rugby comprising gentlemen of all classes. Gareth Edwards run in the 1973 Barbarians (v All Blacks) has always been my go-to vision of Barbarian rugby.

With (I think) seven of the first team playing in the England A game v All Blacks the day before, it was a bit mind-boggling that the home side could still field three British Lions (Reed, Clarke and Guscott) all fresh back from injury, but never-the-less, what a squad.

The South Africans (Springboks) had a full tour out in Argentina, and their ‘A’ side also in South America, so the richness of talent available was impressive for the SA Baa Baas as well.

This was to be the eighth match in the row in which the South Africans had beaten their opposition, and they were a strong and very, er, hmm, abrasive side. Stamping, punching and flying boots were all too obvious (to me), and I was hardly at the match. By the time I had returned to Canary Wharf, van der Linde had been sent off for stamping. The visitors did have some classy backs, though that were a joy to photograph and watch.

Bath scored tries through Swift and Clarke, both converted by Raymond, who also bagged three penalties. The SA Baa-baas got their tries through Hendriks, Naude, Straueli and Scholtz, all converted by De Beer. A penalty each for de Beer and Lawless

Despite the agro, I am told there has much exciting rugby to watch.

So how many of these players do you recognise?
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 © 1993 Pete Jenkins - Bath v South African Barbarians, 23-34, 06/11/1993, the Rec

Retrospective cap awarding day at the RFU, 8th June 2026, Allianz (Twickenham) StadiumSeeing so many former players gett...
09/06/2026

Retrospective cap awarding day at the RFU, 8th June 2026, Allianz (Twickenham) Stadium

Seeing so many former players getting their caps at last was a wonderful thing. I spent yesterday in London; well, I more accurately, I spent seven hours plus in the car and two hours at Twickenham.

Well worth it, to see such a happy group of former England players and their families being recognised, and to see again friends and players from back in they day being properly recognised for their efforts and achievements.

These caps were not awarded at the time as the RFU had a policy of not giving caps to players for games that the RFU at the time were to ‘top class ‘countries. A more recent enlightened retrospective look at things by the RFU has meant that now the Union honours all of those chosen to represent their country. A long time coming but well done the RFU for doing this.

I have not had the chance to edit all the photos I took so please excuse the small selection I share with you today, I will share wider selection in due course.

Player
number Date of (1st)Cap
1493 (The Family of) David Robinson 24.09.1971
1495 (The Family of) Michael Hannell 28.09.1971
1496 Peter Hendy 28.08.1973
1498 David Carfoot 15.10.1977
1499 Gary Cox 15.10.1977
1501 Billy Bushell 14.10.1978
1503 (The Family of) John Butler 13.05.1979
1504 (The Family of) Alan McMillan 20.05.1979
1505 Ian Peck 20.05.1979
1506 (The Family of) John Doubleday 20.05.1979
1507 Nigel Pomphrey 20.05.1979
1508 (The Family of) Toby Allchurch 01.06.1979
1509 Neil McDowell 29.05.1982
1510 John Gadd 10.10.1982
1511 Eddie Bell 29.09.1984
1512 Stuart Redfern 29.09.1984
1513 John Goodwin 10.05.1986
1514 Simon Smith 10.05.1986
1515 Richard Lee 10.05.1986
1516 Andrew Simpson 10.05.1986
1517 Peter Buckton 10.05.1986
1518 Peter Cook 10.05.1986
1519 Robert Kimmins 01.05.1990
1520 John Wells 01.05.1990
1521 Alan Buzza 29.05.1993
1522 Paul Challinor 29.05.1993
1524 John Fletcher 05.06.1993

(Complete list s on the ‘From the Back of a motorbike’ website where these and soon more photos will be placed)

So how many of these players do you recognise?
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 © 2026 Pete Jenkins – Retrospective cap awarding day at the RFU, 8th June 2026, Allianz (Twickenham) Stadium

My latest blog post – an evening with some amazing womenLast month I was invited to attend a special evening of celebrat...
05/06/2026

My latest blog post – an evening with some amazing women

Last month I was invited to attend a special evening of celebration back in one of those rugby grounds that I spent so much time at back in my Fleet Street photography days. It was an evening to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Great Britain Women’s rugby matches, the first rugby international matches played by Great Britain Women.

You see, I was one of those photographers who covered these very first women’s rugby Internationals. I think it is wonderful that from those early games the powerful England Women’s squad has emerged. Without the ground breaking that these women did forty years ago; we would not have the world champion squad of players that we have today.

The link to my account of the evening (the blog) is in the comments
A cracking game of rugby (especially for the All-Blacks).

So how many of these players do you recognise?
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 © 2026 Jenkins – 40th anniversary re-union of the Great Britain v France game 29/04/1986

Thursday 4th June 2026Back in the Day – London takes on the touring All Blacks. London & South East v New Zealand All Bl...
04/06/2026

Thursday 4th June 2026
Back in the Day – London takes on the touring All Blacks. London & South East v New Zealand All Blacks, 12-39, 23/10/1993, Twickenham Stadium

This was my tenth season photographing for Fleet Street, and I had been working the local press circuit a few years before that, however I do recall that this was a match where everything felt right. Twickenham was a huge place to work in, completely different from the likes of Repton Avenue which was full to the rafters with a crowd of 3,000.

The Twickenham rebuild was well under way, so the ground itself looked very different from my visits to the Stadium as a teenager. It was more and more difficult to connect with the writers whose work my pictures appeared alongside, and I always missed that at big stadiums like Twickers.

On the pitch, I felt at home, and my seniority, now usually allowed me to pick and choose my position on the pitch. I favoured running touch, but if I was using a really long lens like a 600mm, then running touch became problematical. Running with a lens as long as and much heavier than a rifle and with the necessary monopod was awkward. Once we stopped moving, pitch etiquette dictated that one had to crouch or get on one knee (making sure one was well behind the linesman and the running tv camera men of course). The times I elected to use a 600, I would choose a static position in the North Stand, left of the posts, about 15 yards in. This allowed me to capture runners coming in on the left and still let me capture the action on the right. Using the long (lens) and short (lens) two camera technique allowed me to cover most of one half and perhaps beyond. If one was looking to cover one specific side one could often trade with a colleague who had a similar position on the opposite side of the pitch.

I tried to cover both sides equally so didn’t always take up the trading places option.

The First match of the Autumn All Blacks Tour, was a complete humdinger and a great game to watch and to photograph.

Back in the day when we had ‘tours’ rather than a series of Internationals as we do today, one did have a far greater opportunity to see visiting touring sides.

This was one of the games where Sean Fitzpatricks New Zealand side looked every bit of the much-vaunted New Zealand rugby reputation. London looked on paper to have a very strong side, and did score two cracking tries from Rory Jenkins and Chris Oti, however they did struggle to contain the New Zealand attack. Rob Andrew added one conversion.

New Zealand’s Stephen Bachop and Jeff Wilson scored two tries each Matt Cooper getting a singleton. Cooper converted four of these and added two penalties to boot.

A cracking game of rugby (especially for the All-Blacks).

So how many of these players do you recognise?
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 © 1993 Pete Jenkins – London & South East v New Zealand All Blacks, 12-39, 23/10/1993, Twickenham Stadium

Roger Spurrell RIP - a Bath Legend (19/5/1955 – 30/05/2026)It saddens me hugely when I learn of the passing of another o...
03/06/2026

Roger Spurrell RIP - a Bath Legend (19/5/1955 – 30/05/2026)

It saddens me hugely when I learn of the passing of another of those great rugby players. Last night I found out that Roger Spurrell passed away on Sunday.

He made his debut for Bath, before I had taken up the lens professionally, so I missed the early years of his career. For me though he epitomised the Bath ethos, the commitment and dogged dedication that you could see on the pitch. In 1986 I saw Bath lift the John Player Cup for the third time. Wasps were the team they beat then; Palmer was the captain that day, but it was Roger Spurrell who raised the cup first in the previous two years, leading his side to victory after victory.

I knew he was a former paratrooper, and that he never seemed to catch the England selectors attention, not sure why. In later years tales of his ownership of various night clubs would percolate east especially the converted public toilet that became ‘The Island Club’ and was much talked about. He was also a shepherd and restaurant owner.

I remember him as the fair-haired dynamo appearing in many of my early photos. His last Bath rugby year was 1986 and I photographed him playing for Bath, in the Cuip final and for the South West. Many of my photographs of him have yet to be digitised, so I am confident that as I continue working on my rugby collection more images of Roger will surface and I will be able to share them with you. 206 times he played for Bath so lots to come, I am sure.

One of rugby’s inspirations.

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 © 1986 Pete Jenkins - Roger Spurrell RIP

Back in the Day – Mostly Leicester men visit the Rec for a game with mostly Bath men, South West v Midlands, 31-3, 16/10...
02/06/2026

Back in the Day – Mostly Leicester men visit the Rec for a game with mostly Bath men, South West v Midlands, 31-3, 16/10/1993, The Recreation Ground, Bath.

Have I mentioned how much I enjoyed the Divisions? I am sure I have let it slip on occasion. This particular game at the ‘Rec’, home of Bath saw the Western champions trounce the Midlanders

It was Bath Winger Audley Lumsden who scored both the first and last tries of the game, opened up the scoring in the fourteenth minutes (5-0). Five minutes later Northampton’s Nick Beal scored again for the South West (um, er, what? I can hear you think, Northampton is in the Midlands isn’t it!!), putting them further ahead, Jon Callard added the extras (12-0). I have often pondered how players are chosen for the divisional sides. Beal was born in Howden in Yorkshire, was educated at the Royal Grammer School in High Wycombe, and played his top-class rugby for Northampton, which looking at as a whole one might think he was potentially available to all the divisional sides apart from the South-West. However, I digress. They went in for oranges with further scores.

Midlands scored their only points from a Simon Hodgkinson penalty, whilst Jon Callard, managed three of his own in response. Lumsden scored his second try, and the scoring was finished by Adedayo Adebayo getting the South West’s fourth and final try, finishing the game at 31-3

A good game of rugby.

So how many of these players do you recognise?
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 © 1993 Pete Jenkins – South West v Midlands, 31-3, 16/10/1993, The Recreation Ground, Bath

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Back in the Day – When the North came to Wales, Wales A v North, 24-8, 12/10/1993, Pontypool Park.With the Divisional co...
01/06/2026

Back in the Day – When the North came to Wales, Wales A v North, 24-8, 12/10/1993, Pontypool Park.

With the Divisional competition about to start on the Saturday, I was fortunate to catch a warm up match in Wales. Of course, the Division teams were not just about the Divisions competition, and it is easy to forget that there was a lot more to the ‘North’ for example than the competition with the Midlands, South and South West and London. Martin Whitcombe who is a bit of a ‘North’ buff has regaled many tales of Northern rugby prowess, indeed who can forget the North beating the ‘All Blacks’ in November 1979 21-9.

I was fortunate to catch this particular game whilst I was in the homeland documenting the Japanese tour of Wales.

Pontypool Park back in the day did not have floodlights that were photographer friendly so there were great challenges to be overcome with light alone.

The North opened the scoring when Ho**er Simon Mitchell was the one to ground the ball after a maul took the forwards over the Welsh line. Wales A seemed to be struggling, until the second half when they found their groove.

Mike Hall scored a try after a 50-yard move. Hemi Taylor, Nigel Davies and Scott Quinnell all added to the try haul and Aled Williams popped two conversions.

Another game where I can’t find the programme but have tried to put together a team list from my notes and a couple of match reports. If anyone can let me see the original programme team list that will be much appreciated. – Thanks in advance.

An exciting second half for sure.

So how many of these players do you recognise?
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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Grace in Adversity: Floyd Steadman's Story -Floyd Steadman interviewed by Stephen AkinsanyaI have read the book (A week ...
28/05/2026

Grace in Adversity: Floyd Steadman's Story -Floyd Steadman interviewed by Stephen Akinsanya

I have read the book (A week One Summer), and I have talked to the man, and every time I hear this story, I find that there is more.

First Black captain of a 1st class rugby side, first Black headmaster of a British Public School. Now retired, he seems to be busier than ever. Since his retirement, Floyd does some consultancy work for Anthony Millard Consulting, his expertise on diversity, equality and inclusion is valuable to schools, companies, charities and of course professional sports clubs.

His charity work includes supporting The Drive Forward Foundation, The African
Science Academy, BOXWISE and Cancer Research UK. With his background and
life experiences, he supports young people and helps them make the most of the opportunities they are given.

He has been nationally recognised, becoming a Freeman of the City of London, awarded the RFU Rose Award, an OBE and in 2024 became Deputy Lieutenant for Cornwall. In September 2025 he became only the 4th person to be Patron for Cornwall RFU. His three predecessors were HM King Edward VIII, HM King George VI and HRH Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh.

Floyd Steadman was interviewed by Stephen Akinsanya the criminal barrister a few days ago (see the link in the comments)

Floyd Steadman – Top man.

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 © 1983-2025 Pete Jenkins – Floyd Steadman

Back in the Day – Japan’s tourists finally find their groove, Heineken Select XV v Japan, 10-39, 12/10/1993, Japan Tour ...
28/05/2026

Back in the Day – Japan’s tourists finally find their groove, Heineken Select XV v Japan, 10-39, 12/10/1993, Japan Tour of Wales, Sardis Road

Japan’s tour of Wales back in the autumn of 1993 was interesting because it gave me the chance to photograph another overseas side that I had had little opportunity to photograph in the past.

At the same time the lighting (floodlights) at the midweek games was (shall we say), ‘challenging’. On a Saturday afternoon, to a degree I can cope with most of which mother nature can throw at the young photographer. On a Cold Tuesday night on the side of a hill in South Wales, good quality floodlights were not to be seen.

In these enlightened digital times one can photograph at an ISO of 64,000 and regard it as an inconvenience. Back in 1993a high ISO would bring the photographer out in a rash. The ‘noise’ at 64,000 asa would make a photo pretty much pointless. Indeed, any thing over 1600 asa was considered a waste of time. Black and white film such as Ilford’s HP5 could be push two or three stops, but colour film had no such tolerance for manipulation.

So, for this game I made the desperate decision to photograph a rugby game using flash. My heavy-duty Metz 60 Hammerhead, (my pride and joy), hardly ever used was brought into play.

Malcolm Dacey opened the scoring for the Welsh dropping a goal in the first minute. (3-0). It too another 16 minutes before there was a reply when Tasuku Fujihara opened the try tally, converted by Yoji Nagamoto (3-7). Just before oranges Mitsuo Fijukake got the second, and Nagamoto the extras (3-14).

The second half saw more Japan action, with a great run from Kutsuki brought a try for Tutumo Matsuda (3-21). Naka mura and Williams both bot tries and two more cop0nversions and 2 penalties from Nagatomo. The light for the Welsh was Pat Nolan driving over from a lineout to score, Tatchell getting the extras (10-39).

Japan played some excellent rugby, and were clearly building themselves up for the coming international against Wales at the National Stadium

So how many of these players do you recognise?
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 © 1993 Pete Jenkins – Heineken Select XV v Japan, 10-39, 12/10/1993, Japan Tour of Wales, Sardis Road

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