1956 The Year that was!

Round 1 – 8/4/56

Souths 25 d Wynnum Manly 21 (Davies Park)

Wynnum Manly met with Souths at Davies Park in a rough and tumble and an entertaining game at times, going down by four points 25-21.

Brawls and one on one fighting took place on a consistent basis with several blowups occurring throughout the first half.  Touch judges Anderson and Irvine made their way onto the field to assist referee Vic Renton, when a brawl took place during the ruck, ten minutes into the second half.  Punches were exchanged and in flash an all in brawl was occurring.  The brawl only last for one minute and players settled down after this skirmish. 

Wynnum were the best side on the day and Souths were lucky to take the two premiership points, with Wynnum Manly scoring six tries to three,  Wynnum Manly captain Keith Brown had to leave the field with a nasty cut to his eye in the 3rd minute of the game, however this did not unsettle Wynnum.  The incident took place when Brown and winger Brian Rolley clashed heads diving for the loose ball.

Wynnum Manly have found a quality player in the making with Bob Cook, he set up Wynnum’s first try and scored two off his own back.  Cook has the speed, swerve and step to compete at the highest level.  Wynnum has a great backline the season with the addition of Lou Della in the centres to accompany Keith Brown.

Bob Greenhill and Vince Long were the best of Wynnum Manly forwards, whilst hooker Don Townsend won the scrums 18-17.

Scorers: Souths 25 (K.Pryor, T.Tyquin, B.Pryor tries, Fisher 8 goals) defeated Wynnum 21 (B.Cook 3, L.Greenhill, B.Rolley, B.Boardman tries, Townsend 2, Cook goals)

 

Round 2 – 15/4/56

Wynnum Manly 37 d Norths 15 (Oxenham Park)

Brilliant five-eighth Bobby Cook inspired Wynnum Manly to defeat Norths 37-15 at Oxenham Park.  Norths were dominant throughout the first half taking a 12-2 lead at halftime.  Wynnum Manly then added 35 unanswered points with Norths going scoreless in the second half before a late consolation try.

Bob Cook scored two brilliant tries to take his tally to five tries in the first two matches of the season and opened the way for five of the other seven tries.  Centre Lou Della, winger Brian Rolley and forwards Jim Walker and Bob Greenhill were the best players for the winners.

Special mention to Wynnum Manly winger Brian Rolley who scored a trifecta of tries,  One concern for Wynnum Manly is their goal kicking which needs to improve in the coming weeks.

Scorers: Wynnum Manly 37 (B.Rolley 3, B.Cook 2, B.Boardman, L.Della. J.Walker, Rankin tries, Cook 2, Graham 2, D.Townsend goals) defeated Norths 15 (Riccardi 2, Stanaway tries, N.McKay 3 goals).

 

Round 3 – 28/4/56

F/Valley 34 d Wynnum Manly 8 (Gabba – B.C.G.)

After a fight was sparked Wynnum Manly forward Jim Walker was knocked out cold and carried from the field in his sides 34-6 loss to Valleys at the Gabba.  Parts of the crowd were hurling abuse at referee Colin Wright for at at least seeing off one player in particular. About eight players fought in a wild scramble after Walker was knocked out.

Valleys won the match 34-8 after leading 17-5 at halftime in a somewhat spiteful match.  State fullback Norm Pope had a personal tally of 19 points for the match coming from a try and kicking eight goals from ten attempts.  Pope had been out with an injury and it was only his third game this season.

Ferocious tackling from Valleys players Nudgee Mulgrew and Tom Maccheroni shutdown most of Wynnum Manly backline attack.  Valleys halfback Ray Edwards was outstanding for Valleys playing his best game of the season.  His attack was unstoppable.

Wynnum Manly centre Lou Della again stood out for Wynnum, he had a lot of tackling to do and didn’t miss a beat.  In the forwards Jim Walker and Vince Long were Wynnum’s best.

Scorers: Valleys 34 (R.Paulsen 2, J.Davies 2, A.Plater, N.Pope tries, Pope 8 goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 8 (B.Cook, K.Brown tries, B.Cook goal)

 

Round 4 – 5/5/56

P/Brothers 62 d Wynnum Manly 24 (Davies Park)

Brothers had a day out in park scoring fourteen tries against a hapless Wynnum Manly outfit, taking out the match 62-24.  In a game the had 86 points scored in 80 minutes of football, defence was the last thing on both teams minds.

Four try doubles to Tocchini, Davies, Melit, Shannon for Brothers showed both supporter bases just how lopsided the result was.

For Wynnum Manly they need increase their intensity and become more consistent if they are wanting to play in this years final series, which was tipped by most experts at the start of the season.

Both Lou and Bob Greenhill can hold their heads high for the Seagulls, never giving up as the rest of the team crumbled around them.  For Brothers Brain Davies led from the front and Dall had a great day with the boot kicking ten goals.

Scorers: Brothers 62 (S.Tocchini 2, B.Davies 2, F.Melit 2, M.Shannon 2, H.Antill, J.Smith, V.Hore, J.Bruton, J.Duncan, Fagioni tries, D.Dall 10 goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 24 (B.Boardman 2, N.Johnson, B.Greenhill, N.Townsend, L.Greenhill tries, W.Graham 3 goals)

 

Round 5 – 7/5/56

Wests 44 d Wynnum Manly 25 (Davies Park)

Wynnum Manly again suffered a large defeat and were no match against Wests at Davies Park.  Wests lead 16-15 at halftime, but scored as they like in the second half to win effortlessly.  Again Wynnum Manly’s intensity let them down, but have great players across the park that know what is required.

When Wynnum played the game in their forwards they were dominant, but poor defensive lapses let Watson, Ryan, Reynolds and Jackson run riot, when they moved the ball around. 

Second rower Vince Long, hooker Don Townsend and front-rower Lou Greenhill worked hard for Wynnum.  The entire Wests backline performed strongly.  Wynnum need a big improvement before taking on Easts next week.

Scorers: Wests 44 (Biggs 3, Reynolds 2, Jackson 2, MaCrohon, Ryan, Doyle tries, MaCrohon 7 goals defeated Wynnum Manly 25 (L.Greenhill 2, B.Boardman, Lester, Rankin tries, W.Graham 5 goals)

 

Round 6 – 13/5/56

Wynnum Manly 27 d Easts 16 (Davies Park)

Easts halfback Ken Booth, dislocated his right knee in the match against Wynnum Manly at Davies Park with Wynnum Manly taking out the match 27-16.

Wynnum returned to form had some nervous moments in the late stages of the game after holding a narrow lead late in the second half.  Wynnum Manly winger Bob Boardman showed plenty of class, scoring three well deserved tries to give his team much needed win after conceding over a hundred points in their last two encounters.

Best for Wynnum were Don Townsend, Vince Long and Boardman, for Easts Queensland centre Paul Pyers was their best.

Scorers: Wynnum Manly 27 (B.Boardman 3, B.Rolley, D.Townsend, V.Long tries, W.Graham 3 goals) defeated Easts 16 (P.Pyers 2, Grieve, McColl tries, Marshall, B.Baker goals)

 

Round 7 – 20/5/56

Wynnum Manly 36 d Souths 26 (Kitchener Park)

Four players were sent from the field, two from each team after a fight at Wynnum Manly’s home ground at Kitchener Park.  Referee Col Wright took action after he and linesman Marr and Mooney had to pull fighting players apart.  Wynnum accounted for Souths 36-25, but the fight between the four players was the major talking point.

The forwards sent off were Phil Carmody, Fred Harris (Souths) Lew and Bob Greenhill (Wynnum Manly).  They will appear before the BRL Judiciary committee tonight.  

The Wynnum Manly backline ran riot scoring 8 tries between them after a hat trick to Keith Brown and double to both Brian Rolley and Bob Cook. Cook took his try tally to seven in as many games and continues to cause problems for opposition teams.

Keith Brown led from the front, with Souths best Brian Pryor having a very solid match.

Scorers: Wynnum Manly 36 (K.Brown 3, B.Rolley 2, B.Cook 2, J.Walker, B.Boardman and Townsend tries, Cook 2, Crouch goals) defeated Souths 26 (B.Pryor 2, McPherson 2, Allen, Halmarson tries, Fisher 4 goals).

 

Round 8 – 26/5/56

Norths 33 d W/Manly 21 (Gabba – B.C.G.)

North completely outclassed Wynnum Manly at the Gabba, with a resounding 33-21 win.  If it were not the poor goal kicking of Nugent, the score would have looked a lot worse for Wynnum.

Norths rattled up a total of nine tries as Wynnum’s defence became wafer thin in the latter stages of the match.  Norths were dominant in the forwards with Wynnum front rowers Bob and Lou Greenhill not playing due to suspension.  The Wynnum team is a totally different side without them and cannot wait for their availability.

Best for Norths with Goddard who scored a double, whilst Welford was dangerous every time he touched the football.  For Wynnum Bob Cook looks dangerous again and Brown played his usual strong game. 

Scorers: Norths 33 (P.Goddard 2, Collins, I.Reid, L.McKay. Waldon, Welford, Holdsworth, Rolls tries, Nugent 2, Weldon goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 21 (W.Graham 2, B.Boardman, K.Brown, B.Cook tries, G.Crouch 3 goals)

 

Round 9 – 10/6/56

F/Valley 18 d W/Manly 5 (Lang Park)

In a game that never hit great heights Valleys defeated Wynnum Manly 18-5 in front of an average crowd at Lang Park.

Valleys were always in control of the match with Ray Paulsen dominant in all departments in eluding attack and defence.  Paulsen is really moving into top form and is playing some of the best football of his career.  With Paulsen leading the way in the Wynnum forwards stood no chance against a disciplined Valleys pack.

Valleys scored four tries to one, with Norm Pope landing three goals.  Wynnum’s points came from a try by Keith Brown and Bob Cook adding the goal.

Wynnum have some work to do this week, as their next game is against a full strength Brothers outfit.

Scorers: Valleys 18 (T.Casey, J.Davies, M.Mulgrew, Thompson tries, N.Pope 3 goals) defeated Wynnum 5 (K.Brown try, B.Cook goal)

 

Round 10 – 17/6/56

P/Brothers 57 d Wynnum Manly 16 (Oxenham Park)

Brothers gave the Wynnum Manly side a footballing lesson when they racked up a total of eleven tries at Oxenham Park.  Whilst it was great to watch as a Brothers supporter, Wynnum fans would have wondered why they wasted their afternoon to watch put in a dour display of football.

Brother winger Frank Melit had an afternoon out crossing for four tries in all and Brothers John Gowdie playing in the centres had a personal tally of 30 points for the match, scoring two tries and kicking twelve goals in a match he won’t forget. 

With current injuries and suspensions the Wynnum sides depth is really starting to show, at full strength they can beat anyone on their day.  Wynnum are really missing the Greenhill brothers who tighten up the defence of the side and are forward leaders.

One highlight for Wynnum was Bob Cook adding two tries to his tally.  Best for Brothers were Gowdie, Melit, Smith and O’Conner. Thing don’t get any easier for Wynnum when they meet with second placed Wests next week.

Scorers: Brothers 57 (F.Melit 4, J.Smith 3, J.Gowdie 2, T.Hickey, B.O’Conner tries, Gowdie 12 goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 16 (B.Cook 2, W.Graham 2 tries, Crouch 2 goals)

 

Round 11 – 24/6/56

Wests 42 d Wynnum Manly 11 (Lang Park)

Duncan Hall was a standout for Wests on the weekend a definitely put his hand up for state selection against NSW.  His leadership played a huge part in Wests easy 42-11 win over Wynnum Manly at Lang Park.

Wests pack with Leal and McAskill prominent, followed Hall through the gaps in the Wynnum Manly defence.  This is Wynnum’s fourth consecutive loss and the club has major concerns on turning around their current results.  Bob Cook again increased his try tally for the season, adding a hat trick of tries in a losing side.

Wynnum should ensure they lock up Cook from other clubs as he is said to be hot property for next season.

Wests scored a total of twelve tries for the match, if Leal had a better day with the boot the result could of looked a lot worse for Wynnum.

Scorers: Wests 42 (Cerico 3, P.Leal 2, B.Biggs 2, D.Hall 2, J.McLean, N.Reynolds, Jones tries, Leal 3 goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 11 (B.Cook 3 tries, G.Crouch 2 goals)

 

Round 12 – 30/6/56

Easts 37 d Wynnum Manly 13 (Gabba – B.C.G.)

In the curtain raiser at The Brisbane Cricket Ground, Easts had a 37-13 victory over a depleted Wynnum Manly outfit.  Replacement Paul Pyers scored three tries for Easts who were able to run as they liked.  

Easts Lock Joe Baker cover defence was superb and stopped any Wynnum Manly attacking raids.  Easts second-rower Nev Warburton and prop Gill also worked hard around the rucks.  Five-eighth McCarthy and centre McColl were given a lot of latitude which they made full use of cutting the Wynnum backline to shreds on several occasions. 

For Wynnum Bob Cook and Keith Brown were the best players for Wynnum and have been there best for the entire season.  Easts Joe Baker had a faultless display from the moment he took the field.

Scorers: Easts 37 (P.Pyers 3, N.Rodgers 2, D.Fitzgerald 2, J.Warburton, K.Gill tries, E.Marshall 3, Fitzgerald, Baker goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 13 (B.Cook 2, K.Brown tries, B.Cook 2 goals).

 

Round 13 – 7/7/56

Wynnum Manly 13 d Souths 9 (Gabba – B.C.G.)

After 5 straight losses Wynnum Manly turned around their fortunes when they upset  Souths 13-9 in the early match at The Brisbane Cricket Ground.

The baysiders were playing against a Souths team with only 11 men in the last 16 minutes, however a great team effort across the park ensured them the two premiership points.  Wynnum Manly lost halfback Noel Johnson and winger Brian Rolley when a head clash took place between the players when tackling Souths centre Ken Pryor.  Johnston and Rolley were taken to hospital to have stitches inserted in head cuts.

Wynnum Manly gave a display of good attacking football, with five-eighth Bobby Cook and centre Keith Brown the spearheads again.  Their forwards with Jim Walker and Lou Greenhill most prominent, kept the Souths pack at bay for the majority of the match.

Souths were not on their game at all, with opportunities squandered and a no interest attitude being evident for the entire game .  Souths winger  Allen scored two splendid tries to bring his tally to 18 for the season.

Scorers: Wynnum Manly 13 (B.Cook, K.Brown, L.Greenhill tries, Cook 2 goals) defeated Souths 9 (Allen 2, Seccombe tries)

 

Round 14 – 14/7/56

Wynnum Manly 18 d Norths 13 (Gabba – B.C.G.)

Wynnum Manly completed outclassed Norths at the Brisbane Cricket Ground to record a 18-13 victory.  

Norths  five-eighth Noel Mackay was taken off in an ambulance to hospital with a broken left collarbone.  He was carried off the field in agony four minutes from fulltime with what looked like a very nasty injury.  It was his comeback game after five weeks on the sidelines.  Mackay was Norths most outstanding player, in a depleted side that lacked any sort of cohesion.

Wynnum Manly’s win places them in the fourth place on the competition ladder with Souths with five rounds of premiership matches remaining.

Wynnum Manly led 11-7 at halftime and  In the early stages of the second half they looked to have the game sewn up.  Their hooker Don Townsend and second rower Jim Thompson played outstanding opening up plenty of opportunities in the first stanza.

Wynnum Manly’s backline spearheaded by Keith Brown and new halfback Ray Batchelor, opened up the defence of Souths on a regular basis.  Bob Greenhill playing in the centres crash tackled his opponents, while speedy five-eighth Bobby Cook was elusive in attack and Souths had trouble containing him the entire match.

Norths best were second-rower ‘Tosser’ Turner worked hard in the ruck for Norths, he was well supported by prop Doug Waldon.

Scorers: Wynnum Manly 18 (B.Boardman, W.Graham, K.Brown, R. Lester tries, B.Greenhill 3 goals) defeated Norths 13 (Waldon three tries, N.McKay 2 goals).

 

Round 15 – 29/7/56

F/Valley 56 d W/Manly 8 (Oxenham Park)

After a wonderful win against Norths last week Wynnum Manly failed to back this up and were disappointing yesterday.  Their positional defence was lamentably week and the only man to do any damage was centre Keith Brown who scored their two tries.  Les Greenhill and Vince Long maintained their efforts in the forwards for the full 80 minutes, but had too little support.  Wynnum have some great players but seem to be two to three quality players short of being a premiership threat.

Valley led by 14-0 at halftime but the Wynnum defence fell apart in the final 20 minutes when the game blew wide open for the opposition. Norm Pope, Ken McCaffery, Tom Maccheroni, ‘Nudgee’ Mulgrew and Ray Paulsen all played exceptionally well for Valleys.  Whilst Norm McFadden and Pat Riordon were their best forwards.

Best for Wynnum were Lou Greenhill. Long and Brown.  Wynnum need to improve very quickly if they are any chance to make this years finals for the first time.

Scorers: Valleys 56 (R.Paulsen 3, N.Pope 2, M.Mulgrew 2, T. Maccheroni, Edwards, Davies tries, Pope 13 goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 8 (K.Brown 2 tries, B.Greenhill goal)

 

Round 16 – 4/8/56

P/Brothers 29 d Wynnum Manly 15 (Lang Park)

Wynnum Manly surrounded a halftime lead to go down to Brothers who improved dramatically in the second half to beat Wynnum Manly 29-15 at Lang Park.

Brothers seemed to be off their game in the first half and did not have the advantage until late in the second half.  Five-eighth Vince Hore and lock Barry O’Conner were outstanding for Brothers and lifted the team in the second half of the match when it was much needed.

Whilst Wynnum went down they are on the improve and now almost have a full strength side at their disposal.  Forwards Don Townsend, Les Greenhill and five-eighth Bobby Cook were Wynnum Manly’s best.  

The Seagulls received great news before the game with hot property Bob Cook, agreeing to play with the Wynnum Manly team in 1957.

Scorers: Brothers 29 (F.Melit 2, R.O’Malley 2, S.Tocchini, V.Hore, J.Duncan tries, B.Davies 4 goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 15 (B.Cook 2, B.Boardman tries, B.Greenhill 3 goals)

 

Round 17 – 11/8/56

Wynnum Manly 30 d Wests 16 (Gabba – B.C.G.)

In a shock result the an improving Wynnum Manly team beat Wests 30-16 at the Brisbane Cricket Ground.  Wynnum Manly lead west 16-3 at halftime and never looked to be in any trouble for the entire match.

Wests were hit hard by injury any and had bring up several reserve graders and were hampered even more when they lost Darcy Ryan with a cut above his right eye.  The Wynnum pack controlled play, showed more care in their work and ran hard in the rucks.

Hooker Don Townsend and Prop Glen Crouch were the best of a good lot, along with Keith Brown’s defence at centre being outstanding as usual.  Wests star Alex Watson hardly saw the ball but went over for one brilliant try, which he started at the halfway line.  Wests new hooker Doyle was more than handy also.  He showed surprising pace in the open and was great in the ruck, he could be one to watch in the future.

Scorers: Wynnum Manly 30 (D.Townsend 2, K.Brown 2, Vaughan, B.Greenhill, G.Crouch. L.Greenhill tries, B.Cook 3 goals) defeated Wests 16 (Jones, N.Reynolds, Atkins, A.Watson tries, Watson, Jones goal).

 

Round 18 – 18/8/56

Wynnum Manly 18 d Easts 11 (Gabba – B.C.G.)

The Wynnum Manly forwards yesterday steamrolled their way through Easts for an 18-11 victory at the Brisbane Cricket Ground to qualify for the BRL finals series. This is the first time the Baysiders have achieved the semi-finals since entering the competition in 1951.  After finishing fourth on the competition ladder they will now play Valleys in the minor semi-final next Sunday at Lang Park.  Brothers and Wests will play in the major semi-final.

Wynnum Manly’s big pack of forwards were dominant throughout the match and eventually wore down the smaller Easts pack and although some of the Baysiders switched off at the end, Easts did not have the energy left to score points in a rugged affair.  Lock Jim Walker and second-rower Vince Long were the best of the Wynnum Manly forwards and created plenty of opportunities.

Walker with powerful thursting runs, pounded Easts inside backs from the rucks and was a punishing cover defensive tackler.  Long was the most energetic forward and forging along with low tackles often cut short the attacks of the Easts backs.  However, the best footballers on the field however were Keith Brown, captain and centre of Wynnum Manly leading from the front as he has done so all season.  Easts highlight was Paul Pyers scoring three tries.

Brown was a sound defender and a wonderful attacking player, he scored two tries and made several excellent opening for his backs.  Wynnum Manly went to a 7-0 lead and at half time led 7-3.  They went to a 10-3 lead after the halftime break and apart from some spasmodic bursts from Easts, the Baysiders always appeared to be on top.

Congratulations to the Wynnum team and area on their first finals series.

Scorers: Wynnum Manly 18 (K.Brown 2, N.Johnson, J.Walker tries, B.Greenhill 3 goals) defeated Easts 11 (P.Pyers 3 tries, W.May goal)

 

Knockout Semi-Final – 26/8/56

F/Valley 40 d Wynnum Manly 13 (Lang Park)

Valleys Rugby League side yesterday defeated Wynnum Manly 40-13 in the BRL semi final played at Lang Park, but had no easy passage to victory.  Wynnum Manly played far better than the scores reflected, even know they were trailing 22-5 at the half-time break.  This was Wynnum Manly’s first ever finals appearance.

Two brilliant tries by Wynnum five-eighth Bobby Cook early in the second half put the baysiders well in the match.  With the score at 22-13 and their captain Keith Brown playing the game of his life, Wynnum Manly hammered at the Diehards line and only desperate last ditch defence saved Valleys, with Norm Pope as steady as a rock, he was outstanding.

Valleys Norm Pope was the player of the match by a long way, Best for Wynnum were the Greenhill brothers Lou and Bob and Bobby Cook had a great game scoring a double.

Scorers: Valleys 40 (M.Mulgrew 2, R.Paulsen, N.Pope, R.Edwards, K.McCaffery, R.Seibenhausen, N.McFadden tries, Pope 7, McCaffery goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 13 (B.Cook 2, B.Greenhill tries, B.Greenhill 2 goals).

 

 

 

Match Reports Source: Paul Comber

Photo Sources: Bob Cook and Noel Johnston