James Bevan Trophy unveiled in Sydney

Commissioned by International Business Wales, the Trophy will immortalise James Bevan, the Melbourne-born, Welsh-raised player who was captain of the inaugural Wales international side against England in 1881.

The new Trophy will be contested in the upcoming two-Test series between Australia and Wales, which kicks off this Saturday (26th May 2007) at Telstra Stadium in Sydney. The Trophy will be awarded following the second match, at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on 2nd June 2007.

“We are pleased to see that such a beautiful Trophy will serve as the permanent reminder of an original great in Wales’s rugby history,” said Gareth Davies, Head of Australia and New Zealand, International Business Wales.

“James Bevan is a great example of a man that shared a close affinity with both Australia and Wales and as such this Trophy is a fitting reminder of both countries’ rugby history. International Business Wales is pleased to donate this Trophy as a gift to both nations who also share strong commercial ties.”

John Eales, former Australian Captain, said that both teams would be firing on all cylinders on Saturday night, eager to be the inaugural holders of the Trophy.

“I have had first-hand experience of playing against the Welsh side,” said John.  “I know how passionate their players and fans are. Both teams will want to win this Trophy, especially leading into the Rugby World Cup later this year where Wales and Australia will meet once again.”

Guidelines for how the Trophy will be awarded were also announced today. The James Bevan Trophy will be based on a similar system to the Bledisloe Cup. Based on these guidelines, it has been agreed that Wales start off as holders of the trophy, due to the most recent matches between the two sides ending in a win for Wales (November 2005) and a draw (November 2006).

Guidelines for the awarding of James Bevan Trophy
– The JBT will be played for in all Test matches between the Australian Rugby Union and the Welsh Rugby Union
– The JBT will not be played for in matches between the Unions played during the Rugby World Cup tournament
– The JBT will be inaugurated and played for commencing with the two-match Test series held in Australia in 2007

– For one-off Test matches:
  o Regardless of the current holder, the winner of that Test will become the title holder
  o If the Test is drawn, the current holder retains the Trophy

– For two-match Test series:
  o The Trophy will remain with the holder
     – If the series is drawn (one Test each)
     – If the series is won two Tests to nil by the holder
     – If the series is won by the holder one Test to nil – with the second Test being a draw
  o The Trophy will be won by the non-holder
     – If the non-holder wins the series two nil

– For three-match Test series:
  o The Trophy will remain with the holder
     – If the series is won two Test s to one by the holder
     – If the series is won by the holder two Test to nil – with the second Test being a draw
  o The Trophy will be won by the non-holder
     – If the non-holder wins the series two Test to one
     – If the non-holder wins the series three Tests to nil
     – If the series is won by the non-holder two Test to nil – with the third Test being a draw
– As the two match series in May/June 2007 is the first awarding of the Trophy, it is agreed that Wales is considered the Holder at the start of the Series. This assumption is based on the understanding that IF the above guidelines were applied to the most recent Test Matches between the two Unions; then Wales would be the current holders.

– These Results (for non-RWC matches) are:
  o 2006 – Cardiff – Draw – 29-29
  o 2005 – Cardiff – Wales – 24-22
  o 2003 – Sydney – Australia – 30-10
  o 2001 – Cardiff – Australia – 21-13

– The current holder will be responsible for the delivery and safe carriage of the Trophy to the location of the next Test match

About James Bevan
Born Melbourne, Australia, 15 April, 1858
Died Leytonstone, England, 3 February, 1938

James Bevan was born in St.Kilda, Victoria, Australia. He was the son of James Bevan and Elizabeth Fly. His father was born in Grosmont, Monmouthshire, and had emigrated to Australia in 1848. He met his wife on the voyage to Australia and the couple had three children, two daughters and a son.

James Bevan Snr purchased a Cobb & Co coach route from Melbourne to Beechworth and prospered as a result. He was able to build one of the first mansions in Melbourne, which he named ‘Grosmont’. Tragedy struck the family on 11th January 1866 when Mr and Mrs Bevan were among 251 passengers who drowned when the Melbourne-bound SS London sank in heavy seas in the Bay of Biscay.

James Bevan Jnr was only seven years old at the time and was sent with his one surviving sister to live with relatives in Wales. He was educated at Hereford Cathedral School and went up to St John’s College, Cambridge on 10th October 1877.

A good all-round sportsman, he won the sprints at his college and also turned out for the St John’s football XI. He could also turn his hand to cricket and, when living in Bristol having completed his Cambridge education, he claimed WG Grace and his brother EM Grace as victims while playing for Old Sneed Cricket Club.

He completed his BA in 1881 and his MA in 1891 and won rugby Blues in 1877 and 1880. He almost won the latter game with a drop goal which many claimed went over the bar, although the umpires disallowed it and the game was drawn one try each.