Herbert Kershaw

This article is about the rugby player. For the 2nd Baron Kershaw, seeHerbert Kershaw, 2nd Baron Kershaw.

Herbert Kershaw

Personal information
Born	first ¼ 1885(1885) Wakefield,England
Died	February 1955 (aged 69) Wakefield,England
Playing information
Height	5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight	12 st 6 lb (79 kg)
Rugby union
Position	Scrum-half
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1904–06 Wakefield RFC Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P ≥1904–≤06 Yorkshire
Rugby league
Position	Forward
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1906–21 Wakefield Trinity 288 46 17 0 172 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P ≥1906–≤21 Yorkshire 1910–11 England 3 1 0 0 3 1910 Great Britain 2 3 0 0 9
Source:

Herbert Kershaw(first ¼ 1885 – February 1955), also known by thenicknameof"Harry",was an Englishrugby union,and professionalrugby leaguefootballer who played in the 1900s, 1910s and 1920s. He played representative level rugby union (RU) forYorkshire,and at club level forWakefield RFC,and representative level rugby league (RL) forGreat Britain,EnglandandYorkshire,and at club level forWakefield Trinity(captain), as aforward.

After retirement from rugby league, in 1928Wakefield RFCemployed him as a bagman and he also assisted in training, paying him 2s/6da week,(based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £20.97 in 2016).

Background

Kershaw was born inWakefield,West Riding of Yorkshire,England, he was thelandlordof the Admiral Duncan Inn, Thornes Lane, Wakefield from 1914 to 1926,and the Brewers' Arms, Westgate, Wakefieldc. 1927,he died aged 69 inWakefield,West Riding of Yorkshire,England, and he is buried in Thornes Parish Church of Saint James, Denby Dale Road,Wakefield,West Yorkshire,England.

Playing career

International honours

Herbert Kershaw woncapsforEngland(RL) while at Wakefield Trinity in 1910 against Wales, in 1911 against Wales, and Australia,and won caps forGreat Britain(RL) while at Wakefield Trinity on the1910 Great Britain Lions tour of Australia and New Zealandagainst Australia,Australasia,and New Zealand.

County honours

Herbert Kershaw woncap(s) forYorkshirewhile at Wakefield Trinity.

Challenge Cup Final appearances

Herbert Kershaw played as aforwardinWakefield Trinity's 17–0 victory overHull F.C.in the1908–09 Challenge CupFinal during the1908–09 seasonatHeadingley,Leedson Tuesday 20 April 1909, in front of a crowd of 23,587.and played as aforwardwascaptain,and five minutes after the half-time restart he was sent off for kicking in the 0–6 defeat byHull F.C.in the1913–14 Challenge CupFinal during the1913–14 seasonatThrum Hall,Halifax,in front of a crowd of 19,000.

County Cup Final appearances

Herbert Kershaw played as aforwardinWakefield Trinity's 8–2 victory overHuddersfieldin the1910–11 Yorkshire CupFinal during the1910–11 seasonatHeadingley,Leedson Saturday 3 December 1910.

Notable tour matches

Herbert Kershaw played as aforwardinWakefield Trinity's 20–13 victory overAustraliain the1908–09 Kangaroo tour of Great Britainmatch atBelle Vue,Wakefieldon Saturday 19 December 1908.

Testimonial match

Herbert Kershaw'sTestimonial matchforWakefield Trinitytook place againstBatleyatBelle Vue,Wakefieldon Saturday 12 February 1921,it was a joint Testimonial match withGeorge Taylor.

Club career

Herbert Kershaw made his début for Wakefield Trinity during January 1906, he appears to have scored no drop-goals (or field-goals as they are currently known in Australasia), but prior to the1974–75 seasonall goals, whether;conversions,penalties,ordrop-goals,scored 2-points, consequently prior to this date drop-goals were often not explicitly documented, therefore '0' drop-goals may indicate drop-goals not recorded, rather than no drop-goals scored. In addition, prior to the1949–50 season,the archaicfield-goalwas also still a valid means of scoring points.

Contemporaneous Article Extract

"Played his earliest football with Thornes Lane Rovers and Thornes United, then atscrum halfforWakefield R.U.he gained Yorkshire County R.U. honours. His entry intoTrinity's ranks came at a time when the highly successfulhalf-backcombination ofSlaterandNewbouldwas in full swing – but he proved himself a versatile player and when, for that famousCupsemi-final againstWigan,Trinityfound themselves without aloose-forward,Herbert stepped into the breach. His fast and clever play plus deadly tackling made a handsome contribution toTrinity's victory. He played atloose forwardin theChallenge CupFinal v.Hull FC,and that became his settled position. Not only that, but he went on the 1910 Tour asloose-forward,and played in theBrisbaneTest"

Genealogical information

Herbert Kershaw was married to Mary Hannah Kershaw (néeunknown, bornc. 1887– died April 1962 (aged 75) inWakefield,West Riding of Yorkshire).