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From the Back of a Motorbike

Name: From the Back of a Motorbike
Address: Nottingham, NG35HF, GB
Telephone: +447762202268

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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 Nigel 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

15/09/2026

Back in the Day – another London v Midlands, top of table clash. Harlequin v Leicester, 25-29, 04/11/1995, Courage League 1, Stoop Memorial Ground.

This really was another cracking top-of-the-table clash. Leicester may not have played their best game, and Harlequins too, made a few errors, however 25-29 between the 3rd and 2nd placed teams was still exciting.

John Liley opened the scoring for the Tigers with an early penalty (0-3). This seemed to shake Quins however they defended and defended well. When they got the ball, they pushed slowly up field and besieged the visitors’ line. From one of a succession of rucks and mauls Chris Sheasby got the ball, and got a great try suitably converted by Paul Challinor (7-3).

Leicester came back and gained two more penalties form John Liley (7-9). Quins were leaking penalties and John Liley had a sure boot, getting his fourth (7-12). As the match came closer to half-time Quins attacked. Finally, just before oranges, Paul Challinor got the opportunity and slotted another 3 (10-12).

The home side attacked from the restart. A PC high kick put John Liley under pressure and the forwards took advantage. From the ensuing ruck the ball came out, and Peter Mensah crossed the line (15-12).

The Quins attack continued, however Rory Underwood intercepted a careless pass and raced in under the posts, JL getting the easy 2 (15-19). Quins continued to leak penalties and from a great John Liley kick found themselves back on their line for a lineout. Tigers won this and the pack pushed Quins back and gained a penalty try., and another easy kick for JL (15-26).

Harlequins continued to attack. Will Greenwood caught a long ball, passed to Chris Wright, who passed to Daren O’Leary, who chipped and caught the ball and scored, PC adding the extras ((22-26).

The ‘Quins attack resumed, there was a further exchange of penalties, resulting in one each for PC and JL (25-29). More attack from the home side could not pierce the Leicester defence. Then the tables were turned and desperate defence stopped Steve Hackney from crossing the line. Kicks were missed, but Leicester Tigers went away winners.

Exciting stuff.

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 © 1995 Pete Jenkins – Harlequin v Leicester, 25-29, 04/11/1995, Courage League 1, Stoop Memorial Ground.

14/09/2026

Back in the Day – London v Midlands, top of table clash. Wasps v Leicester, 11-21, 21/10/1995, Courage League 1, Repton Avenue.

Lawrence Dallaglio’s first home game as Wasp’ captain! Dean Ryan and Rob Andrew in the stands after being dropped by Wasps.

Two powerful sides, and neither were giving way in the opening contests. However it was Jon Ufton, Wasps’ fullback who opened the scoring with a neat penalty (3-0). John Lily, the Tigers opposite number soon equalised with one of his own (3-3).

Matt Poole and Martin Johnson dominated in the lineout, and it was clear that Wasps were missing Dean Ryan. Consequently, the Leicester backs got more ball, and it began to tell. At the end of the half, Wasps lost possession on the half-way line. The ball moved down the left and then popped out of a ruck and the Tigers three-quarter line put John Liley over, and he also got the extras (3-10). Just before oranges Ufton got a second penalty for the home side (6-10).

Leicester dominated from the re-start. The forwards eventually getting a pushover try, via Chris Tarbuck (6-15). Liley added top his total with a penalty and a drop goal (6-21).

Late in the half Jon Ufton again scored for Wasps with a try (11-21)

Good game, that gave Wasps lots to think about, and the weather was good too.

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 © 1995 Pete Jenkins – Wasps v Leicester, 11-21, 21/10/1995, Courage League 1, Repton Avenue.

08/09/2026

Back in the Day – West country kings visit the smoke. Harlequin v Bath, 13-19, 21/10/1995, Courage League 1, the Stoop Memorial Ground

What a cracking match!

Mike Catt v David Pears battle (potentially) over the England no 10-slot left vacant by Wasps Rob Andrew. As well as the battles for the centre with Will Carling, Peter Mensah, Jeremy Guscott and Phil de Glanville going head-to-head.

Everyone knew back in Autumn 1995 that if one’s team was to win the Courage League 1 they had to beat Bath. But Leicester and Wasps had already been despatched. Could Quins do the deed?

The home side played well. Chris Sheasby and Rory Jenkins were out with illness at the last minute; however, veterans Mark Russell and Gareth Allison were there to plug the gaps. David Pears opened the scoring with a three-pointer (3-0), returned in kind a few minutes later buy Jon Callard (3-3).

Bath came back on the attack, and pressure on the home side was consistent. Quins took charge a number of times, however both defences were solid. Bath began to get the upper hand on play, and it was Guscott who mad the space for his colleagues to get through and he fed De Glanville leading to Audley Lumsden crossing the line, to which JC added the extras (3-10).

Quins were no mugs and attacked from the restart, Carling charging the defence, and the backs quickly passed the ball to Daren O’Leary who scored under the posts, Pears would struggle to have missed the conversion (10-10).

Despite a few missed penalties that was the score when they went in for oranges.

The second half saw Bath on the attack, however unable to break a solid home defence. Until that is they conceded a penalty and JC popped another 3 (10-13). Chris Wright (on for John Staples at half-time) stopped Adedayo Adebayo in his tracks, however the intense Bath pressure did tell. Quins conceded and=other penalty and JC kicked the points (10-16).

Quins came back with a purpose, and the three-quarters came close to the Bath line. And again, and again, however the Bath defence was superb. At some point JC kicked another penalty, despite the home side attack (10-19). Pears missed a penalty but did pop a beautiful drop goal (13-19).

Time was running out for the home side, so the pressure was upped. Pears and Catt collided, and both went off injured. The Quins attack continued, however to no avail and Bath went Westwards with a good victory.

Great rugby contest.

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 © 1995 Pete Jenkins – Harlequin v Bath, 13-19, 21/10/1995, Courage League 1, the Stoop Memorial Ground

07/09/2026

Back in the Day – Bathtime for Wasps. Wasps v Bath, 06-15, 07/10/1995, Courage League 1, Repton Avenue.

Rob Andrew was the story in this game for many reasons. Before the match we learned that he would become the new Director of Rugby as well as a player at Sir John Hall’s newly purchased Newcastle Falcons (formerly Newcastle Gosforth). The England fly-half had a torrid time on the pitch missing six out of seven penalties and three of his four drop goal attempts were charged down by Mike Catt. He never finished the match as he had to go off to have eleven stitches in his lip and forehead. He did however, score all of Wasps’ points with that one penalty and one drop goal.

For Bath it was without question Adedayo Adebayo’s match as he scored both the visitors tries, which were topped off by Jon Callard’s single conversion and one penalty.

Not the best of games to photograph, however Adedayo Adebayo was on fire!

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 © 1995 Pete Jenkins – Wasps v Bath, 06-15, 07/10/1995, Courage League 1, Repton Avenue.

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03/09/2026

Back in the Day – North v South London. Harlequin v Saracens, 23-15, 07/10/1995, Courage League 1, Stoop Memorial Ground.

It only took two minutes for David Pears to put Quins on the scoreboard with a penalty (3-0). The game was fairly even with both sides making attacks, both sides struggling with the ball and neither side looking as sharp as both were capable of being.

After several attempts Andy Lee equalised the scores with a penalty (3-3). Eventually they went in for oranges (3-3).

The second half did liven up a bit. First David Pears put Quins back in the lead with another penalty (6-3). Saracens retaliated with one of the best moves of the game, Martin Gregory getting the overlap and a try which Andy Lee converted (6-10).

Following a line-out it was Quins turn to look as good as their reputation Kitchin fed Pears and the Home side Threequarters stepped up a few gears, ending up with Gareth Allison touching down between the posts. Pears’ conversion a formality (13-10).

A lovely chip from Andy Lee, with the gods favouring him on the bounce, meant another try (13-15). Getting closer to the end of the game it looked like Sarries might pull it off, but no. Quins were not yet beaten.

The Home side scrum got the ball for Kitchin who fed Pears, who found Jim Stapkles with a loooong pass. He broke and fed Daren O’Leary who scored a lovely try just ready for Davis Pears to convert (20-15).

Moments later David Pears had the last score of the game with a spot on drop goal (23-15)

Not the best first half, but the second half made up for it.

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.

Photos © 1995 Pete Jenkins – Harlequin v Saracens, 23-15, 07/10/1995, Courage League 1, Stoop Memorial Ground.

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02/09/2026

Back in the Day – West come South to join the Media circus. Harlequin FC v West Hartlepool RFC, 34-18, 30/09/1995, Courage League 1, Stoop Memorial Ground.

I can’t remember why Will Carling was so important on 3oth September 1995. The 57 Old Farts fiasco was back in May, and the Rugby World Cup was done and dusted. Perhaps he had been in the same gym as Princess Diana once, I really don’t remember. However, I do recall it was a right media circus, with Mr Carling at the centre.

The weather was good – the grass was green etc and Quins were entertaining bottom-of-the-table West Hartlepool. The home side attacked from the start and soon David Pears make his first strike for goal, the ball bouncing off the posts. Quins did not let this minor setback stop them and their attack was pretty much relentless.

A big clearance from Tim Stimpson saw West on the attack ten yards from the Quins line, however Chris Sheasby and Rory Jenkins worked a number, and Quins were back on the attack, ending in a David Pears drop-goal (3-0).

Mike Shelley bulldozed his way through the home defence and this time it was Tim Stimpson who split the posts (3-3). Two more kick attempts went way ward with a Paul Hodder drop and Stimpson penalty, each just failing.

Quins reestablished the attack, however still no meaningful score. West eventually turned the Quins attack around, and ran at the city boys, with some good passing ending up with Paul Hodder on an overlap and a try (3-8).

Harlequins’ moment did come. Chris Sheasby tapped back from a lineout, Will Carling was fed the ball, and the England Captain powered towards the line and scored Quin’s first try. David Pears added the extras (10-8). Quins now had the bit between the teeth, and their backs ran forwards. Sheasby picked up the ball from the five-metre scrum and scored (15-8). West bounced straight back, Ashley parker grabbing a three-pointed, and soon after they went in for oranges (15-11).

Rory Jenkins led the 2nd half attack for Quins, stopped close to the line. From the scrum Rob Kitchin grabbed a try, David Pears again adding the extra two (22-11). The next Quins attack was thwarted by Tim Stimpson who powered over between the posts, which he also converted (22-18). The match came truly alive.

West attacked with fervour yet struggled to get close to the Quins line. Eventually the attack broke, and Quins once again ended up on the visitors’ line. Simon Brown broke through from a maul and scored, Pears again doing the duty (29-18).

West continued to probe; however, the Quins defence was too good. Eventually Spencer Bromley got the ball, broke inside the Hartlepool defence to score (34-18). The Harlequin attack continued until the final whistle, upon which Will Carling received a standing ovation from the crowd.

Cracking game of rugby.

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 © 1995 Pete Jenkins – Harlequin FC v West Hartlepool RFC, 34-18, 30/09/1995, Courage League 1, Stoop Memorial Ground.

01/09/2026

Back in the Day – The might of the North comes to London. Saracens v Orrell, 12-9, 16/09/1995, Courage League 1, Bramley Road.

In my early days of supplying Fleet Street, I rarely got to go outside of the M25. Initially, this was not a problem as there were no leagues in the early 1980’s, there was no easy way of ‘wiring’ photos. If one wanted to send a photo to a different part of the country one would have to either give a film to the reporter of the visiting teams local paper, use ‘Red Star’ and have the film/photos collected at the other end or use a motorcycle courier. I didn’t like any of these methods, as with the first, it inevitably meant the films was lost for ever, Red Star was a real pain in the proverbials, prone to all sorts of mishaps, and motorcycle couriers were prohibitively expensive for a freelance such as myself, and clients baulked at the expense.

When a crack team like Orrell came to London it was a specific treat for me. There were nine main London clubs back then, all of whom were of interest to not only their own local papers but to the denizens of Fleet Street. Blackheath, Harlequin, London Irish, London Scottish, London Welsh, Metropolitan Police, Richmond, Rosslyn Park, Saracens and of course Wasps. In theory at least and usually in practice I could cover two home games on a Saturday afternoon, by careful timing and use of my trademark motorcycle.

Orrell were well known for their hard and skilful pack, and a handy set of backs to support them. Saracens whilst maybe not one of the ‘popular’ clubs, always had a good team and their own forwards were ‘handy’ too. The likes of Jason Leonard, Ben Clarke and Dean Ryan had gone through their books and been enticed to other teams, and new forwards were always coming through. The backs were skilful and a match for the visitors.

Simon built up a lead for Orrell withy penalties, Andy Tunningly playing catch-up, with kicks of his own. Orell were leading 6-9 with five minutes to go, and it looked like they would be celebrating on the way back up the M1. However, Andy Tiunningly, scored an equaliser and then a winning penalty one and a half minutes into injury time (12-9).

A dour, hard, forward-dominated game of rugby.

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 © 1995 Pete Jenkins – Saracens v Orrell, 12-9, 16/09/1995, Courage League 1, Bramley Road

27/08/2026

Back in the Day – London’s longest lasting rugby rivalry. Harlequin v Wasps, 29-20, 16/09/1995, Courage League 1, Stoop Memorial Ground.

Harlequin v Wasps was always a charged game. A rivalry that goes back to the very early days of Rugby, from the before time when there was no Rugby Football Union. Hampstead Football club was formed in 1866. For reasons that are not totally clear, a disagreement perhaps, part of the club split away and formed Wasps FC. The Hampstead Club (different to the club of that name that I photographed in the 1980s) renamed itself Harlequin FC in 1870. And then Harlequin FC was one of the founder members of the RFU in 1871. The only founding member of the union still to be playing at the highest level in English club rugby.

Something about being on the magic telly box – Rugby Special, made a club game particularly exciting. Both sides went into this with very strong lineups, oodles of international talent on display.

Rob Andrew opened the scoring for the visitors with an easy three-pointer (0-3), having missed his first opportunity.

Quins came back with a purpose. After a line-out near the Wasps try-line the Quins forwards, with a series of rucks and mauls eventually gave Spencer Bromley the opportunity for a try (5-3). David Pears got the extras from the touchline conversion (7-3), and Quins were never to look back. Fingers on the ball in a ruck gave Pears another go, and he slotted another three (10-3).

Wasps turned up the steam, and eventually Quins conceded a penalty of their own, Andrew getting the points (10-6), and again a few minutes later (10-9), and it was with a one-point lead that they went in for oranges.

Quins came out of the tunnel with a purpose. Alex Snow got the ball from a lineout, and his pack drove him towards the line, Chris Sheasby grabbed the ball and touched down, David Pears again getting the extras from the difficult touchline angle (17-9).

Wasps bounced back, and Rob Andrew got penalty no 4 (17-12). Pears got another for Quins (20-12), and then Andrew his fifth (20-15). With barely five minutes on the clock, Pears popped a drop-goal (23-15) and repeated the feat moments later (26-15).

Wasps came back like a battering ram, Paddy Dunston pushing himself over the line (26-20). Wasps’ pressure was unrelenting, however in amongst all of this David Pears managed his third drop-goal (29-20).

What a game, a wet and action-packed game of rugby.

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 © 1995 Pete Jenkins – Harlequin v Wasps, 29-20, 16/09/1995, Courage League 1, Stoop Memorial Ground

26/08/2026

Back in the Day – Bristol charge into the Wasps nest. Wasps v Bristol, 33-5, 09/09/1995, Courage League 1, Repton Avenue.

There is always something special about the first league game of the season. For Wasps, they were straining at the leash, with their captain Dean Ryan looking forward to a great season. Bristol were equally keen and they had a strong team and a substantial pack with Garath Archer and Simon Shaw in the engine room.

It took no longer than four minutes for Rob Andrew to put the home side in to the lead with a penalty (3-0). Bristol came straight back as Kyran Bracken led the attack. Mark Regan crossed the line from a line-out putting Bristol into the lead (3-5). Bristol continued the attack after the restart; however, the Wasps defence was solid. Wasps threequarters were on form. Damian Hopley drove through the Bristol defenders, and the Wasps Three-quarter line was off, Damian Hopley finishing the move he started (8-5). Despite other Wasps’ attacks this was the scoreline when they went in for oranges.

It was Shane Rosier who scored next, in the corner (13-5). Andrew then got penalty number 2 (16-5)Bristol came back straight away with a new attack; however some tricky handling gave Rosier another opportunity, and he picked up and ran 60 yards to cross the line (21-5). The Bristol side was now in sixes and sevens, Dean Ryan scored from a forward s attack (26-5), Andrew got the extras (28-5), and Damian Hopley scored his second, punching through the Bristol line (33-5).

The battle between Kyran Bracken and Andy Gopmersall was great to watch, and of course it was a rivalry all the way up to international level.

An entertain game of rugby.

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 © 1995 Pete Jenkins – Wasps v Bristol, 33-5, 09/09/1995, Courage League 1, Repton Avenue.

25/08/2026

Back in the Day – The Bath steamroller batter the concrete Quins, Harlequin v Bath, 13-31, 01/04/1995, Pilkington Cup semi-final, Stoop Memorial Ground.

After losing to Wasps the previous week, the Bath team were itching to take it out on someone, and it was Harlequins who got the backlash.

Quins were not going to be anybody’s patsies though, and had to face a Bath team, playing better than I had seen them all season.

Jon Callard took advantage of an early offside to put Bath into the lead with an early penalty (0-3). Quins responded immediately, Rory Jenkins picking up a loose ball and running towards the Bath line, passing to Rob Kitchin and Jim Staples touched down in the corner (5-3).
Neither side gave an inch, attack and defence both sold on each side, until a clearance from David Pears found the Bath fullback, and from the ruck a new move developed, ending with Phil de Glanville touching down between the posts. (5-8), a position JC could not miss from (5-10).
Quins again came back straight away and nearly scored in the corner; however, the Bath defence was equally determined. Home side pressure was unforgiving, and it was only the best of defences that stopped Chris Sheasby, as Mike Catt tacked him into touch. Unremitting pressure was eventually rewarded with a Staples three-pointer (8-10).

They went in for oranges at (8-10)

Jon Callard popped a long three-pointer early in the second-half, (8-13) and after some messy play Tony Swift capitalised on errors and stormed over the line (8-18) and JC got the extras (8-20). Minutes later Mike Catt dropped a goal (8-23) and took the game seemingly beyond the home side’s reach.

Bath turned on the screws, and the attack was ruthless. Harlequin defence was equally obstinate. Eventually the play moved back into the visitor’s half. Some tooing and froing and the Jeremy Guscott kicked into space, Tony Swift gathering the loose ball on the touchline and scoring (8-28).

Quins came back briefly with Paul Challinor diving over for a try (13-28) and JC got a final penalty (13-31).

David Pears was lost to concussion and Jim Staples to a leg injury (allowing Paul Challinor to come on and score)

A cracking game of rugby.

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 © 1995 Pete Jenkins – Harlequin v Bath, 13-31, 01/04/1995, Pilkington Cup semi-final, Stoop Memorial Ground

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