EDDIE WOODGATE PETER LARTER
NORTHAMPTON, RAF, AND ENGLAND 1967-73 Peter was born in Dartmouth in 1944, and after school here, joined the RAF as a Radio apprentice in RAF Locking. His rugby talent was soon noticed, and he played for the RAF Colts team in 1963. He moved to RAF Luffenham and played much of his club rugby for Northampton. In 1967 he was selected to play at Lock for England and went on to win 24 caps, using his height, and power, to establish him- self as a genuine “line-out menace”. He toured South Africa with the Brit- ish Lions in 1968, playing one test, and many times for the Barbarians, and the Combined Services team. Peter came back to Dartmouth in
1970 for a well-remembered game bringing a host of international and nationally ranked players to play against a South Hams XV at Coro- nation Park, hosted by Dartmouth Rugby Football Club and Mark Sugden (see over page). It was an amazing opportunity to play against the highest quality players at the top of their game, and while the result has been lost in the mists of time, the South Hams XV are believed to have acquitted themselves honourably. Peter continued to remain in-
volved in rugby after he hung up his boots, with the RAF, the Midlands, and as past President of Northamp- ton RFC. He is now the most experi- enced Citing Commissioner, greatly respected both within the domestic game and on the world stage. He has been involved since the start of citing in 2001 and officiated at the last three Rugby World Cups, as well as at internationals, ERC including two finals and the Premiership.
PAIGNTON, DEVON, BARBARIANS AND ENGLAND Eddie and Bill Woodgate were born in Dartmouth in 1952. As identical twins, they were close and did much together, including developing an interest in Rugby, joining the local club Paignton, after early training with Kingswear Junior District. They were both 6ft ½inches tall, and both weighed within a 1lb of each other, at 15 stone. They both played prop forward and gave great balance either side of whoever was playing as hooker. Local stories abound of how they confused the opposition, and sometimes the scorers who were unable to tell them apart (at one point Eddie grew a moustache that helped!). In 1951, Bill and Eddie both had outstanding early seasons with
Paignton and Devon, and caught the eye of the England selectors. Unfortunately, during the trials, the selectors decided to split the pair and put them on opposite sides, much to the disapproval of their supporters, who believed they were a greater force when playing together. They were both selected as reserves for the Welsh match in January 1952, and Eddie stepped into the starting line-up, to make his debut, when the first-choice player, W. A. Holmes, was injured. 73,000 fans were crammed into Twickenham, and 10,000 were locked outside. At the end of the first half England led 6-5; however, Wales were stronger in the second half and scored the winning try, to win by two points, with their captain, the renowned Cliff Morgan, proving to be inspirational. That year, Wales went on to become champions, and triple crown winners. Although Eddie had a good game, Holmes was reinstated after he regained fitness, and Eddie remained on the bench alongside Bill for the rest of the season. Both brothers played for the Barbarians, and remained in contention
for England places over the next two years; Bill played in trials for the Rest of England against the first choices in both 1953 and 1954. Both brothers played leading roles in the Devon County team between 1948 and 1954, Bill played 32 games for Devon, scoring 5 tries, while during the same period his brother played 25 games, scoring 1 try. Eddie was made Captain against Dorset and Wilts, in January 1953, the first Paignton player to be given this honour. Bill and Eddie retired from Paignton Rugby Club’s first team in 1954, to concentrate on coaching.
KYLE MCGHEE
SCOTLAND U16 2019 Looking to the future, one of Bill Woodgate’s great grand-children, Kyle McGhee, is now forging a rugby career while studying at the Dartmouth Academy. Kyle recently represented Scotland U16, as well as playing for Devon youth sides as a prop forward, like his great-grandfather. Dartmouth is watching his progress with great interest.
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