Edward Perkins Alexander (7 August 1863 – 26 October 1931) was a
Welsh
Welsh may refer to:
Related to Wales
* Welsh, referring or related to Wales
* Welsh language, a Brittonic Celtic language spoken in Wales
* Welsh people
People
* Welsh (surname)
* Sometimes used as a synonym for the ancient Britons (Celtic peop ...
international
rugby union
Rugby union, commonly known simply as rugby, is a close-contact team sport that originated at Rugby School in the first half of the 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. In its m ...
forward who played club rugby for
Cambridge University
, mottoeng = Literal: From here, light and sacred draughts.
Non literal: From this place, we gain enlightenment and precious knowledge.
, established =
, other_name = The Chancellor, Masters and Schola ...
and
London Welsh
London Welsh Rugby Football Club ( cy, Clwb Rygbi Cymry Llundain) was a rugby union club formed in 1885. Based in Old Deer Park, Richmond-upon-Thames, London Welsh RFC played in the English Premiership in the 2012–13 and 2014–15 seasons, ...
and international rugby for
Wales
Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the Wales–England border, east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the ...
. Alexander also represented several cricket teams, including
Llandovery College
, image = Llandovery College (geograph 5927072).jpg
, image_size =
, motto = Gwell Dysg Na Golud( here areno riches better than learning)
, established =
, closed =
, type = Independent day and bo ...
.
Early life
Alexander was born in 1863 at
Monknash, Wales to Thomas Alexander. He was educated at
Llandovery College
, image = Llandovery College (geograph 5927072).jpg
, image_size =
, motto = Gwell Dysg Na Golud( here areno riches better than learning)
, established =
, closed =
, type = Independent day and bo ...
and in 1883 graduated to
Jesus College, Cambridge
Jesus College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The college's full name is The College of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint John the Evangelist and the glorious Virgin Saint Radegund, near Cambridge. Its common name comes fr ...
.
Rugby career
Alexander first came to note as a rugby player when he was selected for the Cambridge University team. He won three sporting Blues, playing in Varsity matches in 1884, 1885 and 1886. In 1885, while still a Cambridge student, he was selected for the Wales national team in their
Home Nations Championship encounter with Scotland. Brought in to replace
John Sidney Smith, Alexander was part of a nine-man pack which contained four players who would later become Wales team captains,
Bob Gould,
Tom Clapp
Tom Clapp (25 October 1858 – 15 October 1933) was an English-born international rugby union forward who played club rugby for Newport and Nantyglo RFC. He won 14 caps for Wales and captained the team on three occasions. Clapp was the first ...
,
Willie Thomas
William Henry Thomas (22 March 1866 – 11 October 1921) was a Welsh international rugby union player who played club rugby for Llanelli and London Welsh. He was capped eleven times for Wales and captained the team on two occasions. In 1888, ...
and
Frank Hill
Frank Robert Hill (21 May 1906 – 28 August 1993) was a Scottish association football, football player and manager.
Playing career
Forfar and Aberdeen
Hill was born in Forfar and started his career at Forfar Athletic F.C., Forfar Athletic, jo ...
. The game ended in a 0-0 draw, Wales' best result against Scotland to date. Alexander was reselected for the next two Wales international matches, against England and Scotland in the
1896 Championship; which saw Wales adopt the four threequarters formation in the Scottish game. the first team to do so at international level. Despite Wales losing both matches, the selectors kept faith with Alexander and he played in the opening and closing matches of the
1887 tournament. Under the captaincy of
Charlie Newman
Charlie Newman (28 February 1857 – 28 September 1922) was a Welsh international three-quarter who played club rugby for Newport. He was awarded ten caps for Wales and captained the team on six occasions. An original member of the Newport squa ...
, Wales drew the first game against England, but Alexander was replaced for the Scottish game by
Evan Richards
Evan Sloane Richards (23 January 1862 – 19 April 1931) was a Welsh international rugby union forward who played club rugby for Swansea, captaining the club through three seasons during the 1880s. Richards' father was Member of Parliament for ...
. The Scotland game was a sporting disaster for Wales, with the Scottish team scoring 12
tries without reply. Alexander regained his position for the last match of the series, now playing for
Brecon RFC
Brecon Rugby Football Club ( cy, Clwb Rygbi Aberhonddu) is a rugby union club from the town of Brecon, Mid Wales. The club is a member of the Welsh Rugby Union and is a feeder club for Cardiff Rugby.
The club was one of the eleven founding membe ...
,
[Godwin (1984), pg 18.] which saw Wales win thanks to a dropped kick from
Arthur 'Monkey' Gould.
International matches played
Wales
[Smith (1980), pg 463.]
* 1886, 1887
* 1887
* 1885, 1886
External links
Cricket ArchiveCricket profile of Edward Alexander
Bibliography
*
*
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Alexander, Edward Perkins
1863 births
1931 deaths
Alumni of Jesus College, Cambridge
Brecon RFC players
Cambridge University R.U.F.C. players
London Welsh RFC players
Rugby union players from Llantwit Major
Wales international rugby union players
Wales rugby union captains
Welsh cricketers
Welsh rugby union players
Rugby union forwards