Ovalballs "Rugby a game for Hooligans played by Gentlemen"                    

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Tickets and Programmes wanted from the Lions tour 2009

Hello and Welcome  

Hopefully you have found your way here because you are a supporter of Rugby. A game that has changed more in the past 10 years than it did in the previous 100. To be honest I preferred the game of 20 years ago, the padding, lifting and law changes have spoilt the game for me. The traditions and history of many clubs and parts of the game have now gone in a rush to compete in the professional game.

This web site is dedicated at keeping those old ideals alive, or at least preserving the bits of the game we can still get our hands on. A site for the rugby anorak, the programme collector or the ex player looking for a little bit of his past to re-live. 

My passion in life is rugby postcards, my collection consists of over 1,000 pre 1940 cards, going back to the early 1880's. I also collect rugby cigarette and tobacco cards from all around the world, including many cards from the early 1900's when the fashion for collecting was at it's all time high.

Other items I pick-up along the way and use to fund my interests in postcards and cigarette cards. I will exchange or sell these items, I am not a dealer but will look for a fair exchange and a little profit to cover my costs.   

If you would like to contribute in any way send me an email I will do my best to help. I have waited for over 4 years to get this web address "OVALBALLS", so I am not in any rush. I am still building, and adding details to the site so keep coming back and maybe in time you may find something of interest.

Quote of the Day _________________________________________________

 "I'm still an amateur of course, but I became rugby's first millionaire five years ago"

David Campese

From Rugby Wit Quips and Quotes for the Rugby Obsessed by Richard Benson  (ISBN 978-1-84024-608-7)

Sponser Link____________________________________________________

For those who interest in sports betting, EnglishHarbour.com offers the best gaming experiences including the sports themed slot machine and other amazing slots online. Check out the links and you can easily find the fun and exciting on the web.

Wanted Billy Spiller_______________________________________________

Currently looking for details of Billy Spiller, Welsh International, played at Cardiff, we have his stats but looking for programmes, newspaper cutting and pictures. Happy to take scans or links to web sites, details required by his Great Grandson. contact me at email address below. 

Recent "Finds" ___________________________________________________

As often as possible I try to update the home page with any interesting items that I have acquired, so if you are new to the site or have passed us by for a week or two, then look below to find out what's you have missed.  

3Rd May 2009 - A visit to the Pump Rooms in Cheltenham produced some nice cards to-day plus a couple bought in recent auctions.

A 1907 card from South Africa one of the most expensive I have ever purchased, great remarks about the Springboks home coming reception on reverse. A new copy of this great card 1924 Olympics and rugby              - For Sale £35 Comic Card - For Sale £8 in good condition Comic Card - For Sale £8 in good condition Varsity Types - hand draw No 1 The Rugger Blue
South African team from 1931 - 32 nice cards with details of team on reverse Reverse of SA card Birthday card with rugby theme New card of the 1905 All Blacks - different as in team format. Another 1905 NZ picture strange format with only half the team named, published Browning Exeter
Advert card for Football Boots reference to WW1 Advert for slippers on reverse of card Another new card showing the 1908 - 9 Australian Wallabies side Crowd postcard from the England V Wales at Goldstone Ground, Hove in1914 Gloucester card from not sure of year but W. Johns was captain

Click on year :- "2009" - "2008" - "2007" - "2006" - "2005" - "2004"

777.com________________________________________________________

If you’re a hooligan who enjoys a game for gentlemen, like Rugby, then poker is the perfect game for you. 777.com, the leading online gambling guide, offers you the chance to play the best Texas Holdem poker tournaments online, get useful tips and upgrade your game.

 New Book____________________________________________________

Beneath the Māori Moon: Māori Rugby, An Illustrated History
Malcolm Mulholland
RRP $65 Launch Monday 30th March 

This is the complete story of the New Zealand Māori rugby team, including analysis of the politics behind the side. With unique photographs, memorabilia, cartoons, statistics and player interviews, this book offers something for everyone. This is a must-have for all rugby fans.

To get a copy : - http://www.huia.co.nz/upcoming/

any problems email me as I can get copies for you

I have a copy of this book if you would like to see it before you order please contact me at:

referee@ovalballs.com

 Rugby Shirts____________________________________________________

Going on the Lions tour what to wear in the bar:-

See the new Scotland shirt below

1905 Welsh shirt on its way pre-orders taken

The Scottish team wore this jersey for their first ever international match versus the English in 1871, The match was played with 20 players in each team and two 50 minute halves. The English lost to the Scots on the 27th March 1871 at the Raerburn stadium in Edinburgh

To order your Jersey click here: -  www.Sports-depoque.com - Original Rugby Jerseys

English and French version of web site, online sales and payments

England 1871 - The English team wore this jersey for their first ever-international rugby match. France 1906 - The jersey worn by the USFSA French team in 1906 for their first official match against the New Zealand “Originals” team. Original All Blacks - This jersey was worn by the All Blacks on their first tour of the British Isles in 1905 . Scotland 1871 - The Scottish team wore this jersey for their first ever-international rugby match versus the English in 1871.

All the shirts are made from the original materials and are authentic copies of the originals in every way. These shirts are for the rugby supporter who values the history and passion of his team. Shirts are:-

bulletTop Quality 100% brushed cotton
bulletHand-made in France
bulletSizes ; M, L, XL, XXL and XXXL
bulletCotton knitted in the original 12 gauge style
bulletAll the shirts arrive in their own presentation box with details of the shirts history enclosed

New Links______________________________________________________

New links added here old links moved to ...Here

www.sportingold.co.uk - nice site auctions in Northampton RFC 

New links wanted................. Happy to add your link email me with details

Auctions and Fairs _______________________________________________

Auctions and Fairs  many companies now have their catalogues  online and can be viewed for free -  Please use the links page to check site details

bulletSporting Gold - Friday 22 May at Franklin's Gardens Northampton
bulletGraham Budd Auctions - 2009 sale dates are: 12th May and 27th October. - Auctions to be held in association with Sotheby's at their New Bond Street saleroom.

It's worth a visit to Kempton park on the 2nd and last Tuesday morning of the month be their for 6:30am, early bird finds the worm? 

Postcards and Paper Fairs _________________________________________

Postcard and Paper Fairs

For those of you with an interest in Postcards and Ephemera here is a list of Fairs. These are the major fairs selling Postcards, Cigarette Cards and Paper Collectables, you can finds fairs most weeks check your local paper or here > http://www.postcard.co.uk/fairs.php

or here for cigarette and trade cards > http://www.cigarettecards.co.uk/dates.htm

History ________________________________________________________

Ovalballs was launched on 2nd June 2004 and last updated on: - 05-May-2009.

Contact me at :- referee@ovalballs.com

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