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Early sidestepsSidesteps begin long after the start of rugby. Early sidesteps are difficult to pinpoint - but here are some clues.Early days of the sidestepThe earliest reference I've seen to rugby sidesteps mentions the year 1930. This is on the rugby-pioneers website under the headingLet's talk technique: the rugby sidestep Prints explaining the sidestep are displayed from W.W.Wakefield's book "Rugger", said to have been published in 1930. Clues to early sidestepsDavid Duckham, 185cm and 92kg with 36 caps for England and 3 for the British Lions was a rarity in English rugby. He was well known, amongst other things, for his elusive running and sidestep.In his book "Rugby Union: Back Play" 1981, page 75 , Duckham says his own sidestep was developed after having seen the sidestepping exploits of the post-war Coventry player Peter Jackson. He also expressed the opinion that Gerald Davies had developed his sidestep as a result of having watched Bleddyn Williams Peter Jackson - does early sidestepsPeter Jackson was born in 1929. He captained the English club Coventry. He was in his prime when playing for England 1956 - 1963.Dai Llewellyn wrote an article about Jackson being inducted into the Rugby Football Union Wall of Fame. In it he tells of a try by Jackson in the England – Australia clash at Twickenham in February 1958 and how Jackson became able to sidestep off either foot. He quotes Jackson saying that his coach at school used to get him "to run up and down the length of the playing field alternately stepping off my right foot and then my left" Watch Peter Jackson's try against Australia. It's in the first minute of this excellent compilation of English rugby tries on YouTube - many with great evasive footwork! David Duckham born in 1946 was also from Coventry (and I'm guessing here) would probably have been anywhere from 10 to 15 when he became aware of and inspired by Jackson's (England caps 1956 - 1963) early sidesteps. Bleddyn Williams - young early sidesteps star?Bleddyn Williams was born in 1929 and was a prominent player for Cardiff and Wales in the early 1950's.Although David Duckham (above) mentions Bleddyn Williams in relation to Gerald Davies learning to sidestep, Davies in his book "Gerald Davies An Auto biography", 1979, page 36 reports otherwise. He tells how he regretted not having seen Bleddyn Williams who was regarded as "one of the greatest sidesteppers of all time" whose sidesteps were to be seen frequently when he played for his club, Cardiff. However, Bleddyn Williams inspired Carwyn James (born 1929) who in turn was an early sidesteps inspiration to Gerald Davies. In his wonderful book "CARWYN A Personal Memoir", 1984, page 37-38 Alun Richards quotes from Carwyn James's never-to-be-completed autobiography. He tells how Carwyn played rugby every day in the street with his brothers, sometimes beating them with sidesteps - and when he did, imagining he was "Haydn Top-y-Tyle or Bleddyn Williams" On the next page (page 39) Richards quotes another sketch in which Carwyn states "I'm nine". If these sketches are quoted in chronoligical order it would place the reference (above) to playing in the street to be in 1938 or before. Bleddyn Williams, born 1923, and so only six years older than Carwyn, would have been about 15 years old in 1938. How did Carwyn come to imagine himself to be Bleddyn Williams? Was Bleddyn a neighbour or perhaps a young star doing early sidesteps in one of the local teams? Haydyn Top-y-Tyle certainly was. Further quotes from Carwyn James reveal much about the way young boys like Carwyn were immersed in the Welsh rugby culture of the time. He got a theepenny bit for patrolling th local gardens on match day and carefully retrieving stray balls kicked into them from the local rugby pitch close by. From Carwyn's description of the game as a nine-year-old it's easy to see how he went on to be a successful international coach Inspired by expert early sidesteps and in turn inspiring others. What fantastic insight into the game! Is it any wonder he went on to be an exciting sidestepper? Is it any wonder he went on to be successful coach of the British Lions in New Zealand? What a path to follow! Ron Jarden - does early sidestepsAmazingly Ron Jarden was also born in 1929 and rose to prominence in the early 1950's with the New Zealand All Blacks.Look here for the Ron Jarden All Blacks Player Profile. I know of Jarden only because I've read about him. I recently purchased the book "New Zealand Rugby Skills and Tactics", 1982. Those able to get a copy of this excellent book will benefit. It includes an excellent article by Jarden, "Beating the Man" - sorry ladies, that's the title and I think it probably was only men in those days! It includes good and detailed descriptions of the sidestep, swerve and other techniques. Jarden was a very fast, elusive runner and a prolific try scorer. In a 2005 (London) Independent newspaper article, Rugby Union: All Black magic; 100 years of attitude... Rugby Correspondent Chris Hewett includes Jarden on the wing in his All Time All Blacks team ... " 14 RON JARDEN (Wellington, 1951-56) Fast, elusive, deadly." I've never seen him. I've never seen video of him. I've yet to see mention of him and "sidestep" in the same paragraph - yet simply from his description of the sidestep I know he was superb! Anyway, who would argue with 145 tries from 134 first class games! Perhaps Jarden was the inspiration for some later All Blacks, but it appears New Zealand never capitalised on his talent and experience. Perhaps the All Blacks won so much anyway, there was no real need to shine in another department. Bleddyn Williams, Peter Jackson, Ron Jarden all born in 1929 and went on to do inspirational early sidesteps in the 1950's.... Who inspired these players? I'll keep digging - must shed some light on very early sidesteps! Return from Early sidesteps to History of rugby
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