James Peters Trophy
The first home game of every season is played in honour of one of the games great rugby players and social pioneers: James Peters.
James Peters was one of southeast
The "Meridian Trophy" commissioned in 2003 was renamed in 2004 when the great man's granddaughter Barbara Dunbar and grandniece Kim Tozer and their families travelled from Portsmouth attend and present the newly commissioned trophy.
Role of Honour
2003
2004
2005
2006 Greenwich Admirals - Match Report
2007 Greenwich Admirals - Match Report
The Cleverest Half-Back"
James Peters was one of first-ever cross-code rugby players, having represented Barrow and St Helens in rugby league and having been the first black player to be capped for England at rugby union.
Despite being born in Salford, near Manchester, Peters was raised at Fegan's Orphanage, in Southwark, and the Little Wanderers Home, in Greenwich, before moving west to Bristol.
He had been an outstanding athlete from an early age and became a legend in rugby league circles after making a quick start to his career with Barrow, kicking nine goals in his first 10 games for the club in 1913.
Peters was regarded by contemporary observers as the "cleverest half-back in the kingdom bar none" and his success brought a big move to St Helens in 1914. However, he never found his true form and retired from rugby league within a year.
Learn more about James Peters here
