From the Back of a Motorbike

From the Back of a Motorbike For more than twenty-five years I photographed first class Rugby Union in England and Wales. Well no more. Why ‘From the Back of a Motorbike’?

For much of that time I was the lead Rugby Union photographer for the Sunday Telegraph Picture Desk, part of the highly regarded sports photography team For more than twenty years I photographed first class Rugby Union in England and Wales. For much of that time I was the lead Rugby Union photographer for the Sunday Telegraph Picture Desk, part of the highly regarded sports photography team that N

igel Skelsey and Malcolm Lang had carefully brought together. After The Sunday Telegraph I owned and ran, with my business partner Tim Hewson the SportsNet UK Sports Photo Agency based in Kings Langley and later Park Royal. I ceased photographing sport as my main profession in 2001, however my archive is still here, hidden away in my office, and whilst I now concentrate on Conferences and Events, the Rugby Union Archive of Pete Jenkins is gathering dust. More than 700 hundred Rugby individual matches, and 50, 000 frames to examine, edit and scan, it will be a long job, however it may prove to be one of the most extensive privately owned and run Rugby Union archives of its kind. From 1980 - 2001 my main mode of transport was a a series of Motorbikes, mostly 750 four stroke four cylinder machines and in the final seven years a Moto Guzzi California II

Back in the Day – Little Basingstoke visit the London Posh boys. Harlequin v Basingstoke, 52-3, 18/12/1993, Pilkington C...
01/07/2026

Back in the Day – Little Basingstoke visit the London Posh boys. Harlequin v Basingstoke, 52-3, 18/12/1993, Pilkington Cup fourth round, The Stoop Memorial Ground.

I confess to being a bit grumpy this morning.

I have just had to argue to get paid by new and prestigious (podcast) client, and despite agreement the payment has not been made.
Back in May I was contacted by the producer, who loved my work etc. They needed some images for this special programme.

My photos were very important, and they had to have them. I was expected to do the research, and pretty much drop what I was doing to make sure that the images were ready for the very close broadcast date. This I did, and after being told that the photos were great and exactly what was wanted, I sent my invoice. As no arrangement had been agreed I sent it ‘invoice due upon receipt’, to the chap who had ordered the photos.

I got one call asking for a lower fee (after receipt) to come into budget so as a good will gesture I gave a discount equal to the rush fee. Client chuffed to bits.

After a week I send a reminder.
After a month I send a reminder.
After six weeks I started chasing, and was told

“Why are you sending these invoices and reminders to me”?

“Because these are the only contact details you have given me.”

I then get a call from the accounts department and was told I must jump through hoops and complete a set of online forms, and that my payment would be made at the end of the following month. I said no, the payment needs to be made now as even by your own rules that I have not agreed to, you pay at the end of the month following the month the invoice was issued. (This of course is contrary to the UK Governments rules on paying freelances – we are supposed to be paid at the latest after 30 days)

I am told that they will put a rush on it and that I will get paid by the end of June (so still more than six weeks late), and the end of June comes and goes and no payment.

They are all on their secure salaries with a guaranteed payment at the end of the month - they simply do not care and have no empathy. Times like these that I can dislike being a solo freelance.

***************************

I always enjoyed the National Cup, whatever it was called.

When a club get the chance to play another club some five divisions above them, it is a thrill.

Of course, Quins with their internationals were expected to win, and they did not hold their fire, Basingstoke knew that had played a top division outfit that day. Daren O’Leary got a hat trick and Basingstoke Skipper Richard Rowledge got on the scoreboard with a penalty. Despite the scoreline Basingstoke defended well for long periods

A cracking game of rugby (to photograph).

So how many of these players do you recognise?
Which pictures were used in the newspapers?
I love my rugby.
Happy days!

Rugby is a wonderful sport. It is so much more than just a game. It makes us happy, and it provides us with lifelong friends. When play on the pitch stops, those friendships endure and remain with us for ever. Photographs are one way of reminding us of our teammates and the friends that we made over the years.

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Photos © 1993 Pete Jenkins – From the Back of a Motorbike, Harlequin v Basingstoke, 52-3, 18/12/1993, Pilkington Cup fourth round, The Stoop Memorial Ground.

Back in the Day – North London All Blacks visit south of the River, London Scottish v Saracens, 12-37, 11/12/1993, Coura...
30/06/2026

Back in the Day – North London All Blacks visit south of the River, London Scottish v Saracens, 12-37, 11/12/1993, Courage League 2, Richmond Athletic Ground

I always counted myself as blessed that I had ten top class clubs within easy distance. Of course, this change slightly when the league system came into being, and slowly season by season, some clubs started to fall in the rankings, and the original ten ‘top class clubs started to be graded.

By 1993 only Wasps, Harlequin and London Irish remained in the top league, Courage National Division 1. London Scottish and Saracens had slipped to National League 2, although both would soon be seen back in League 1. Blackheath, Richmond and Rosslyn Park were down in League 3, and of these only Richmond would ever be seen back in the top flight and that whilst there was a huge influx of money from Ashley Levett. London Welsh and Metropolitan Police were down in National Division 5 South. London Welsh did rise to the New Premiership between 2012 and 2015, just before the club was dissolved in 2017.

Of course it was not just London Welsh. Both Richmond and London Scottish had their issues at the beginning of the Professional era, and more recently Wasps and London Irish both fell from grace due Money issues. Even Saracens themselves found themselves demoted due to money irregularities in 2020

In 1993-94 Saracens did well, and by the seasons end they were in third place to Sale and West Hartlepool, Sarries missing out on promotion this time around.
London Scottish finished just clear of relegation. This match predictably went in Sarries favour 12-37

A cracking game of rugby (to photograph).

So how many of these players do you recognise?
Which pictures were used in the newspapers?
I love my rugby.
Happy days!

Rugby is a wonderful sport. It is so much more than just a game. It makes us happy, and it provides us with lifelong friends. When play on the pitch stops, those friendships endure and remain with us for ever. Photographs are one way of reminding us of our teammates and the friends that we made over the years.

follow

Photos © 1993 Pete Jenkins – From the Back of a Motorbike, London Scottish v Saracens, 12-37, 11/12/1993, Courage League 2, Richmond Athletic Ground.

Back in the Day – Highlight of the rugby season, Barbarians v New Zealand, 12-25, 04/12/1993, National Stadium, Cardiff....
29/06/2026

Back in the Day – Highlight of the rugby season, Barbarians v New Zealand, 12-25, 04/12/1993, National Stadium, Cardiff.

I always enjoyed Barbarian games, in Wales, the East Midlands, Leicester, Twickenham, pretty much wherever and whenever they occurred. There was pretty much an easily followed schedule along with the occasional Tour special, such as the games against New Zealand.

I doubt anyone will forget the Baa-Baas defeating New Zealand in Cardiff in January 1973 and that superb try by Gareth Edwards. Pretty much rugby nirvana.

The 1993 Cardiff game between the Barbarians and New Zealand may not have been quite the game of its predecessor of twenty years ago, however it was a match in which the Baa Baas pushed the All Blacks to their limits.

The 1993-1994 season was one of those which stand out for me as a rugby photographer and this match was possibly the one that stood out the most.

Although the Baa Baas did not score any tries (all their points coming from four Eric Elwood penalties, they did play an attacking game keeping the New Zealand defence on its toes for the entire match.

Craig Dowd opened the score for the All Blacks, and Va Aiga Tuigamala scored the second putting New Zealand ahead 0-14 in as many minutes, conversions by Jeff Wilson who also popped two penalties. The Four Elwood kicks meant the chaps went in for oranges 12-20. The only score in the second half was a try from Ian Jones.

Tony Clement played the perfect attacking fullback, as was Neil Back a great back row player. Olivier Roumat dominated the lineout for much of the match, Scott Hastings leading the side well

A magnificent game of rugby.

So how many of these players do you recognise?
I love my rugby.
Happy days!

Rugby is a wonderful sport. It is so much more than just a game. It makes us happy, and it provides us with lifelong friends. When play on the pitch stops, those friendships endure and remain with us for ever. Photographs are one way of reminding us of our teammates and the friends that we made over the years.

follow

Photos © 1993 Pete Jenkins - Barbarians v New Zealand, 12-25, 04/12/1993, National Stadium, Cardiff

Back in the Day – University fun at the Cabbage Patch, Oxford v Cambridge, 20-8, 07/12/1993, The Bowring Bowl, Twickenha...
25/06/2026

Back in the Day – University fun at the Cabbage Patch, Oxford v Cambridge, 20-8, 07/12/1993, The Bowring Bowl, Twickenham.

I always tried to cover the ‘Varsity’ match at HQ especially in the early days when there was only rugby on a Saturday afternoon, as it gave me another match to sell to my Fleet Street Overlords

The 1993 game had more than a few established stars playing one of whom was Gareth Rees the Wasps and Canada veteran. One of my favourite players who I managed to photograph for pretty much his entire career, from his time at Harrow School and Wasps. At 26 years old he had already played nine years to top class rugby and at two World Cups.

The first half saw no tries, but Oxford did hit the score board with a Gareth Rees penalty and a GR drop goal. Rees wasn’t the only one to have some drop goal fun as Lawrence Boyle the Leicester Centre got one his own for Oxford, the only response from Kennedy the Cambridge fly half. Thery went in for oranges at 9-3.

Rees scored his second penalty five minutes into the second half and Oxford were 12-3 up. Cambridge broke the kicking theme when Paul Flood broke clear, and leading Adrian Boyd to outpace the Oxford cover and score Cambridges only try (12-8).

Rees was given more opportunities to kick fort goal and got another penalty (15-8). It was the South African Fanie Du Toit who scored the final try for Oxford and the game finished 20 points to 8.

A jolly romp game of rugby.

So how many of these players do you recognise?
I love my rugby.
Happy days!

Rugby is a wonderful sport. It is so much more than just a game. It makes us happy, and it provides us with lifelong friends. When play on the pitch stops, those friendships endure and remain with us for ever. Photographs are one way of reminding us of our teammates and the friends that we made over the years.

follow

Photos © 1993 Pete Jenkins - Oxford v Cambridge, 20-8, 07/12/1993, The Bowring Bowl, Twickenham

Back in the Day – Exile hopefulls take a trip across town. Blackheath v London Welsh, 21-9, 28/11/1993, Pilkington Cup T...
24/06/2026

Back in the Day – Exile hopefulls take a trip across town. Blackheath v London Welsh, 21-9, 28/11/1993, Pilkington Cup Third Round, Rectory Field.

Some of those National Cup weeks (whether sponsored by John Payer, Pilkington or Tetley) had me dashing about like a very dashy-about-thing trying to catch the game that mike make the headlines. As many as three in an afternoon.

Third Division Blackheath entertaining a division 5 South team London Welsh. Both in their day top teams in the country but with the onset of leagues and getting increasingly near to professionalism were struggling to find their place.

Blackheath had England Superstar Mickey Skinner, sadly London Welsh did not really have anyone to counter him.

Of course, Blackheath went on to play Leicester at home in the next Round and were beating 10-16 in a match in which they were by no means disgraced, and Leicester went on to beat London Irish, Moseley and Orrell before Losing to Bath in the Final 21-9

(If anyone has a programme from this match in which they can share the team sheet I will be very grateful)

A lovely game of rugby.

So how many of these players do you recognise?
I love my rugby.
Happy days!

Rugby is a wonderful sport. It is so much more than just a game. It makes us happy, and it provides us with lifelong friends. When play on the pitch stops, those friendships endure and remain with us for ever. Photographs are one way of reminding us of our teammates and the friends that we made over the years.

follow

Photos © 1993 Pete Jenkins - Blackheath v London Welsh, 21-9, 28/11/1993, Pilkington Cup Third Round, Rectory Field

Back in the Day – Div 4 hopefuls Plymouth go on a London raid in the Cup. Rosslyn Park v Plymouth Albion, 38-7, 27/11/19...
23/06/2026

Back in the Day – Div 4 hopefuls Plymouth go on a London raid in the Cup. Rosslyn Park v Plymouth Albion, 38-7, 27/11/1993, Pilkington Cup Third Round, Priory Lane

The National Cup in all its incarnations was one of my favourite parts of rugby back in the day. Courage League Three Rosslyn Park v Leage Four’s Plymouth Albion. One of the teams would go forward into the fourth Round where the chances are they would meet a club from the first or second divisions.

As it turned out Park went on to face Coventry at home, beating them 22-15 and getting into the Fifth round where their opponents were Saracens who duly despatched them 12-29. Sarries in turn went onto meet Bath and lost 6-23, and as we know Bath went on to beat Leicester in the final 21-9

Rosslyn Park never looked in any danger of being beaten by a competent, but outclassed Plymouth Albion XV.

A lovely game of rugby.

So how many of these players do you recognise?
I love my rugby.
Happy days!

Rugby is a wonderful sport. It is so much more than just a game. It makes us happy, and it provides us with lifelong friends. When play on the pitch stops, those friendships endure and remain with us for ever. Photographs are one way of reminding us of our teammates and the friends that we made over the years.

follow

Photos © 1993 Pete Jenkins - Rosslyn Park v Plymouth Albion, 38-7, 27/11/1993, Pilkington Cup Third Round, Priory Lane

A rugby read – 2004 - Kyran Bracken, ‘Behind the Scrum’.I enjoy reading books about rugby, and the rugby community and I...
22/06/2026

A rugby read – 2004 - Kyran Bracken, ‘Behind the Scrum’.

I enjoy reading books about rugby, and the rugby community and I always have one or more books on the go. I find it fascinating to read about those who I have photographed. Kyran Bracken the Bristol, Saracens and England, and Lions player is one of these players, and I have just finished reading (again) his auto biography ‘Behind the Scrum, published in 2004.

2004 Kyran Bracken – Behind the Scrum

Although his first club was Waterloo RFC, and he even dabbled with Rugby League as a junior, the first time I photographed Kyran Bracken was in 1992 as part of the Bristol 1st team squad in their pre-season ‘Press- Day.

I photographed him several times during that first season, and from my point of view he was clearly a Bristol Regular. By the End of 1993 he was playing for England, his debut being that excellent game against the All Blacks which England won 15-9. He was injured in that match after a stamping incident by Jamie Joseph, which put him out of action for a large part of the rest of the season.

The book revealed many things I was unaware of, including the fact that Bracken was born in Ireland, and moved to Liverpool when he was three years old. He then had an interesting childhood where he was regarded as an Irish ‘Paddy’ amongst his school mates, and yet when he returned to Irland on regular visits to family he was of course an English ‘Tosser’.

Rejected by Ireland as not being ‘good enough’ Bracken went on to win 51 caps for England, was part of the 2003 World Cup squad, and was called up for duty with the 1997 Lions Tour to South Africa after Rob Howley was injured.

In 1996 he moved to Saracens joining them at the same time as Michael Lynagh and Philippe Sella and then Francois Pienaar.

His time with England was very competitive initially with Dewi Morris and later with Matt Dawson. Bracken was plagued by successive injuries, especially his ‘glass back’ as he describes it.

Never-the-less 51 England caps is an impressive haul

A great rugby career and I feel privileged to have been able to photograph a small part of it.

I love my rugby.
Happy days!

Rugby is a wonderful sport. It is so much more than just a game. It makes us happy, and it provides us with lifelong friends. When play on the pitch stops, those friendships endure and remain with us for ever. Photographs are one way of reminding us of our teammates and the friends that we made over the years.

follow

Photos © 1992 – 2001 Pete Jenkins – Kyran Bracken, Bristol, Saracens and England

Back in the Day – Div 2 leaders West go on a London raid. Saracens v West Hartlepool, 8-14, 20/11/1993, Courage League 2...
18/06/2026

Back in the Day – Div 2 leaders West go on a London raid. Saracens v West Hartlepool, 8-14, 20/11/1993, Courage League 2, Bramley Road.

Back in 1993 the battle at the top of Courage League 2 was intense. In the previous season London Scottish, Rugby, Saracens and West Hartlepool had all been relegated from the top flight and were all keen to go straight back up.

By the end of the year, it was Sale who topped the league on points difference to West, both on 28 points. Saracens just missed out on promotion coming 3rd on 23 points. London Scottish and Rugby ended up 8th and 9yh with only Otley coming lower in at 10th place. Scottish stayed in, and Rugby and Otley were both relegated to Courage 3.

This game was hard fought and pressure in the final minutes from the home side looked like the visitors might lose their so far unbeaten record in courage league 2.

Both fullbacks, Andy Tunningly and Kevin Oliphant were subjected to a barrage of high balls as each side sought to pressure the other into errors. Saracens ruled the lineout though, West having numerous issues with the Sarries jumpers.

It was Saracens who opened the scoring with a great run by John Buckton, putting Barry Crawley over for the opening score (5-0). Andy Tunningley followed up with a nice penalty (8-0) and it looked like the home side were definitely on the ascendant as they went in for oranges 0-8 up.

The second half saw a West resurgence, and much to his teammates relief John Stabler finally put West on the scoreboard with a penalty (8-3). West Captain Paul Hodder then dropped a beautiful drop-goal (8-6) and John Stabler scored a try (8-11) and finally popped a penalty (8-14) to finally seal the visitors’ victory.

Saracens came back with some veracity, and unforced errors looked like they might be West Hartlepool’s undoing as they conceded a number of penalties, but they survived the onslaught and there was much to be pleased about on the long drive home

An exciting game of rugby.

So how many of these players do you recognise?
I love my rugby.
Happy days!

Rugby is a wonderful sport. It is so much more than just a game. It makes us happy, and it provides us with lifelong friends. When play on the pitch stops, those friendships endure and remain with us for ever. Photographs are one way of reminding us of our teammates and the friends that we made over the years.

follow

Photos © 1993 Pete Jenkins - Saracens v West Hartlepool, 8-14, 20/11/1993, Courage League 2, Bramley Road.

A rugby read – Richard Hill - from Salisbury to the Rugby World Cup and beyond.I enjoy reading books about rugby, and th...
17/06/2026

A rugby read – Richard Hill - from Salisbury to the Rugby World Cup and beyond.

I enjoy reading books about rugby, and the rugby community and I always have one or more books on the go. I find it fascinating to read about those who I have photographed. Richard Hill the Sarries, England and Lions player is one of these players. Both amateur and professional rugby union player

2006 Richard Hill the Autobiography

Richard Hill was one of my favourite back rowers to watch and to photograph. He didn’t often make headlines, but he played a great game of rugby.

The first time I came across him was playing for the England u21 side v the French Armed Forces at Twickenham, a cracking game where he shone brightly. The first time I photographed him in an England shirt too, although not the last. This was the precursor to the Pilkington Cup final. I next came across him playing for Saracens a few months later, and this was the club he remained with throughout his rugby playing days.

I also photographed him playing for the West London Institute of Higher Education, Borough Road as was and Brunel University as it became. Richard went on, as we all know, to be a key part of the 2003 World Cup winning England team and to play for the lions on two tours). Plagued by injury he missed many games he would love to have been a part of, including the Tetley Bitter Cup final of 1998 where Sarries beat Wasps.

I stopped photographing rugby for newspaper clients in 2001, so I missed his World Cup winning performance and his later years at Saracens, sadly I also missed both Lions tours. Like so many players he remained involved in rugby after his playing career came to an end, passing on his knowledge and experience and became a ‘Player Pathway Liaison Manager’ for the RFU working with young players.

He tells his story well, talking a lot about injury and the end of his career, but also about Salisbury Rugby Club and the start of his rugby journey.

A long career by any measure and I feel privileged to have been able to photograph a small part of it.

I love my rugby.
Happy days!

Rugby is a wonderful sport. It is so much more than just a game. It makes us happy, and it provides us with lifelong friends. When play on the pitch stops, those friendships endure and remain with us for ever. Photographs are one way of reminding us of our teammates and the friends that we made over the years.

follow

Photos © 1993 – 2024 Pete Jenkins – Richard Hill Saracens and England

Back in the Day – Quins go north into the Tigers lair. Leicester v Harlequin, 3-10, 13/11/1993, Welford Road.Welford Roa...
16/06/2026

Back in the Day – Quins go north into the Tigers lair. Leicester v Harlequin, 3-10, 13/11/1993, Welford Road.

Welford Road was a difficult visit for any side. One of the largest fanbases in the country, and a very loyal one at that. A large stadium (by clubs of the day standard the largest at 14,700).

The Harlequin team was up against it from the start. A wet day for sure.

The two tries by Daren O’Leray and Will Carling in the first half were enough to silence a Leicester home crowd. I don’t ever recall witnessing that either before or since. Tigers three points came from a John Liley penalty (Tigers did score first), and the teams went in for oranges 3-10.

The half -time score did not truly reflect the efforts of the game Leicester pressure was immense, and they seemed to dominate much of the game.

The late pressure from Tigers in the second half was nothing less than a barrage, however the visitors held fast

Despite wet, some excellent rugby.

So how many of these players do you recognise?
I love my rugby.
Happy days!

Rugby is a wonderful sport. It is so much more than just a game. It makes us happy, and it provides us with lifelong friends. When play on the pitch stops, those friendships endure and remain with us for ever. Photographs are one way of reminding us of our teammates and the friends that we made over the years.

follow

Photos © 1993 Pete Jenkins - Leicester v Harlequin, 3-10, 13/11/1993, Welford Road

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