1921 Saskatchewan Provincial Championship Game Protested and Replayed

1921 was a significant year in Canadian football. With the Western Canadian Rugby Football Union joining the Canadian Rugby Union, western clubs were finally eligible to compete for the Grey Cup.

Article in the Regina Leader-Post about Regina initially winning the SRFU championship (31 November 1921).

The Regina Rugby Club was one of the favourites to win the Hugo Ross trophy (the WCRFU championship) and represent the West in this historic season of Canadian football. They finished with a perfect 4-0 record and went on to defeat Saskatoon 10-8 on Saturday October 29th to win the Saskatchewan Rugby Football Union championship. But hold on. Not quite so fast.

Article in the Saskatoon Daily Star summarizing the SRFU championship game that was protested by Saskatoon (31 October 1921).

The Saskatoon club protested the result and demanded a rematch. A controversial play early in the game saw Regina kick the ball into the Saskatoon endzone. Saskatoon’s Wyn Griffiths let up retrieving the ball as it appeared to have hit a fence. In the meantime, Regina player Freddy Wilson quite shrewdly jumped on the ball to score a touchdown.

Notice of meeting published in the Regina Leader-Post to hear protest by Saskatoon (31 October 1921).

A meeting was held in Regina by the SRFU on November 1st to hear the protest. Presided over by SRFU Secretary-Treasurer C.M. Johnston, the protest was disallowed, and Regina was greenlighted to travel to Winnipeg to play the Victoria Rugby Club in the western semi-final game.

But…..

Another meeting was held in Saskatoon by the President of the SRFU, Hub Bishop. At this meeting, the Saskatoon protest was allowed, and the teams were ordered to play a rematch.

Article in the Saskatoon Phoenix Star about the conflicting decision on the Saskatoon protest (2 November 1921).

The WCRFU found themselves in a bit of a dilemma. Its president, Stuart Fraser, refused to get involved in sorting out the mess. He felt it was a matter strictly to be decided by the Saskatchewan union.

The saga continues (Saskatoon Star Phoenix, 3 November 1921).

Regina was steadfast against a rematch (and who can blame them really?) when Hub Bishop finally gave them the ultimatum. Play the rematch or lose by forfeiture. According to the press, Regina sent a wire to Bishop saying, “We’ll play it off, dingbust your hide” to which Bishop replied “Ah, they’re good sports.”

Article in the Saskatoon Daily Star with the final resolution: Regina and Saskatoon will play a rematch (4 November 1921).

So, on November 4th the rematch was played at Saskatoon’s Cairns Field. The end result? Saskatoon defeated Regina 9-6. I can’t help but imagine how the fans in Saskatchewan and (elsewhere for that matter) would’ve reacted on social media had it been around at the time of this saga.

Game coverage of Saskatoon's victory in the rematch (Saskatoon Daily Star, 5 November 1921). — Game coverage of Saskatoon’s victory in the rematch (Saskatoon Daily Star, 5 November 1921).

Anyway, Saskatoon would go on and lose to the Victorias in Winnipeg a few days later, putting an end to the drama and controversy. And ultimately, Edmonton would represent the West in the 1921 Grey Cup.

Sources:
Regina Leader-Post, 31 October 1921
Saskatoon Daily Star, 31 October 1921
Saskatoon Daily Star, 4 November 1921
Saskatoon Daily Star, 5 November 1921
Saskatoon Star Phoenix, 2 November 1921
Saskatoon Star Phoenix, 3 November 1921