George West (rugby league)
George "Tich" West | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1881 Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire, England |
| Died | 18 May 1927 Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire, England |
| Occupation(s) | Rugby league footballer, publican |
| Years active | 1900–1908 (rugby league) |
| Known for | Rugby league player for Hull Kingston Rovers and Yorkshire; record try and points scorer in Challenge Cup match |
George Henry "Tich" West (1881 – 18 May 1927) was a professional English rugby league player who competed during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He represented Yorkshire at the county level and played for clubs including Beverley Victoria, Beverley Town (known as "The Beavers"), and notably Hull Kingston Rovers, where he held the position of captain. His primary role on the field was as a goal-kicking .
Background
West was both born and passed away in Beverley, located in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England.
County honours
During his tenure with Hull Kingston Rovers, West earned selection for Yorkshire as a in a twelve-player formation. On 25 November 1903, he contributed two tries to Yorkshire's 24-6 triumph over Cheshire in the 1903–04 season at Irwell Lane, Runcorn. Additionally, he appeared on the wing in Yorkshire’s 0-6 defeat by Lancashire during the 1905–06 season at The Boulevard, Kingston upon Hull on 4 November 1905.
Challenge Cup Final appearances
West featured as a wing for Hull Kingston Rovers in the 1905 Challenge Cup Final, where they were narrowly defeated 0-6 by Warrington. This match took place during the 1904–05 season at Headingley, Leeds on 29 April 1905, witnessed by an audience of 19,638 spectators.
Club career
Making his first appearance for Hull Kingston Rovers against Dewsbury on Good Friday, 13 April 1900, West gained recognition for his speed and evasive playing style. His final game came against Batley at Craven Street, Kingston upon Hull on 10 October 1908, where he sustained a serious leg break that ultimately ended his professional rugby league involvement.
Career records
West set enduring British rugby league and Challenge Cup benchmarks by scoring an unprecedented eleven tries during Hull Kingston Rovers' commanding 73-5 victory over Brookland Rovers ARLFC on 4 March 1905 at Craven Street (Brookland Rovers had forfeited home advantage). In that same contest, he amassed a record total of 53 points—comprising eleven tries and ten goals. This points record was eventually eclipsed by Chris Thorman, who tallied 54 points (four tries and nineteen goals) for York City Knights in their overwhelming 132-0 win against Northumbria University in the 2011 Challenge Cup held at Huntington Stadium, York. It is important to note that Thorman’s achievements occurred under the modern four-point try system, whereas West’s records were established when tries were worth three points.
Outside of rugby league
Between approximately 1921 and 1927, George "Tich" West managed The Lichfield Arms Hotel—also referred to as The Red Lion—located at 30 Toll Gavel, Beverley.
Genealogical information
In 1904, George "Tich" West married Mary Jane Carter in Beverley. The couple had one daughter named Mary West, born in 1912.