St.Helens R.F.C. is saddened to learn about the passing of Saint #752, Ron Jaundrill, aged 86.
A former Blackbrook junior, whose contemporaries included the likes of Jimmy Measures and Brian McGinn sadly passed away on 19th February.
Ron Jaundrill, a forceful front-rower, played his first game for the seniors at Barrow in the Ward Cup, a pre-season charity match, before making his competitive debut one week later at Naughton Park, against Widnes. Saints lost narrowly 16-25 and Ron played blind side prop forward alongside hooker Tom McKinney and Ab Terry in this match.
His professional rugby career was temporarily interrupted by National Service, in December 1957, but after initially joining the Royal Corps of Signals, he was released as medically unfit, because of flat feet. Although he played regularly in the ‘A’ team, further appearances in the first team did not transpire. “He was a big, thick set lad,” remembers Jimmy Measures “and a really forceful front-rower for sure.“
Ron later emigrated to Australia for a spell and signed for Dapto RLFC in the Illawarra Rugby League competition. He helped the club to their inaugural Premiership success in 1966, a match which can still be seen on the web. It is a famous old club, whose former players include the likes of Peter Dimond, Ted Goodwin, Paul McGregor and Allan Fitzgibbon, amongst other luminaries of the Australian game.
Ron also forged a lasting friendship with former Saints’ second-row legend Dick Huddart, who played with the St George club in Sydney. When he returned to the UK he also kept in touch with many of his former team-mates from his amateur and professional days in St Helens.
In both England and Australia, former glassworker Ron played with some of the game’s greatest players.
Everyone at St Helens R.F.C. sends their condolences to his family and friends at this sad time.
