1959 The Year that was!

Round 1 – 05/04/59 

Wynnum Manly 35 defeated Wests 15 (Lang Park) 

Wynnum Manly’s former Tweed Heads winger, Lionel Morgan scored a treble to help beats Wests in the first fixture of the season. 

Wynnum Manly continued their good trial form in which they were beaten only once, by upsetting Wests 35-15. Morgan was dangerous whether in attack or defence. Whenever the ball went to his wing carried either by Wests or Wynnum centres their was action. In the second of his three tries, Morgan made a solo run of 35 yards, beating two men. In the other two he was perfectly positioned to cap breakthroughs by Harry Law and by Bob Greenhill. 

Wests looked the better side early when halfback Darcy Ryan often shattered the defence. But they battled uphill after they lost hooker Keith Williamson (concussion), and won little scrum ball in the last 55 minutes.  Early scoring was only a goaling battle between ex-Union rivals, Jim Paskin (Wynnum Manly) and Bryan Kassulke (Wests). Kassulke kicked his first goal from the halfway mark, Paskin kicked 7 goals from 10 attempts. Paskin playing centre, also cleared away for a certain try, but bounced the ball in the try zone. 

Ryan feed forwards Ken Day and Warren Beck for a try by Beck to lead 9-2. But soon after Wynnum Manly got right on top. Fullback Barry Boyd got two tries for the Baysiders, joining in the backline attack to make a man over in the first half, then cut his way through the whole Wests side near the finish. 

Big prop Alan McMillan playing in bursts, lead a short lived Wests revival in the second half, and bullocked in for a try. 

Scorers: Wynnum Manly 35 (L.Morgan 3, B.Boyd 2, B.Phillips, B.Greenhill tries, J.Paskin 7 goals) defeated Wests 15 (W.Beck, B.Day, A.McMillan tries, B.Kassulke 3 goals). 

 

Round 2 – 19/04/59 

Wynnum Manly 17 defeated Souths 16 (Davies Park) 

Wynnum Manly with a one point victory over Souths 17-16 at Davies Park remained the only undefeated team in the competition. They had the bye in the second match of the season. 

Wynnum Manly played the whole of the second half of the match with twelve men when referee Jim Wallace ordered forward Les Greenhill off as the teams left for the field for halftime. Stunned Wynnum Manly officials asked Wallace the reason for the dismissal, but he told them to wait until after the match. He said that Greenhill was sent off the field for answering back. Greenhill went on as a replacement when five-eighth and captain Rex Fox was carried off with a recurrence of a knee injury. 

Brilliant winger Lionel Morgan who wrenched his right knee against Ipswich on Saturday did not play for the Baysiders. He was replaced by John Balderson who scored two tries, one of which came from an intercept on his own goal line and a 100 yard sprint to hold off the defenders. 

Souths big pack of forwards with Henry Holloway and Tom Tyquin most prominent took charge of the game for most of the first half and Souths led by 11-3 at halftime. But in the second half Keith Brown, Steele Davis and Brian Phillips took provided overlaps in the backs to maintain constant attack. Jim Paskin also landed four goals in the second half of the match. The Baysiders went to a 17-11 lead about eight minutes before the finish, with Souths scoring a late try to bring the scores closer. 

Scorers: Wynnum Manly 17 (J.Balderson 2, K.Brown tries, J.Paskin 4 goals) defeated Souths 16 (Smith, J.Jeziorski, Orchard, N.Townsend tries, Dauth 2 goals). 

 

Round 3 – 26/04/59 

Wynnum Manly 45 defeated Valleys 4 (Oxenham Park) 

Brisbane Rugby League’s new glamour boy Lionel Morgan obliged an estimated 7000 spectators who jammed into Oxenham Park to watch him yesterday, with an electrifying display of try scoring. 

Following their defeat by Norths at Nundah last week Valleys were expected to halt Wynnum Manly’s winning run. Wynnum Manly scored a shock 45-4 win over Valleys before the biggest crowd ever seen at the Nundah ground. 

Morgan started at centre and scored one try in that position, then moved to the wing when John Balderson was injured and was replaced by Jim Thompson. On the wing Morgan’s snap acceleration, sidestep and outright pace boosted him to a 70 yard lone handed try, a 60 yard centre kick and follow through and a 30 yard try in which he left five tacklers strewn over the field. In the second half Barry Brennan late tackled Morgan after he had centre kicked and a fiery three minute donnybrook ensued with Morgan and Brennan trading punches. Other team mates joined in and Referee Neville Kelly stopped the brawl and lectured captains Norm Pope and Keith Brown. At halftime Wynnum Manly led 12-4. 

Inspired by Morgan, Brown, Steele Davis, Jim Paskin and Ned Green, Wynnum pored through Valleys in the second half. Most Valleys players had a bad day, particularly Geoff Little. Graham Shields, Kluss and Daveson were Valleys best. Winger Jim Paskins kicked nine goals and scored one try for Wynnum. 

Scorers: Wynnum Manly 45 (L.Morgan 4, J.Paskin, K.Lewis, J.Balderson, K.Brown, B.Greenhill tries, Paskin 9 goals) defeated Valleys 4 (N.Pope 2 goals). 

 

Round 4 – 02/05/59 

Brothers 29 defeated Wynnum Manly 18 (Lang Park) 

Brothers Rugby League team broke Wynnum Manly’s run of victories yesterday at Lang Park when they turned on to much class and experience for the Baysiders. Brothers forwards, spearheaded by Peter Gallagher, were too fast and constructive for the Baysiders pack. Outstanding in the losers pack was second-rower Steele Davis. 

Brothers led by 11-7 at halftime and looked certain to run clean through their opponents in the second half. Hey took their lead to 19-7 very quickly before Wynnum Manly rallied with a runaway try by Jim Paskin, and a smart dash and try to Ron Ellicombe. 

But Brothers always had an answer in the backs or forwards to make any setbacks look temporary seldom seemed in danger of losing the game from the 18th minute of the first half. Wynnum Manly supporters kept their hopes up with a 20 minute burst in the second half when it got to 18-24. They continued to hammer away at the Brothers line for another 10 minutes until they lost possession. 

New centre Billy Logan former team mate of Lionel Morgan on the Tweed, seamed short of match practice. He also showed the tendency to throw loose passes. But their was not doubting Logan’s willingness to tackle and the try he scored in which he side stepped two men in five yards was a beauty. 

Scorers: Brothers 29 (Burns 2, J.Gallahger, N.Garvey, V.Hore, F.Melt, Nicholas tries, M.Shannon 4 goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 18 (J.Balderson, B.Logan, J.Paskin, R.Ellicombe tries, J.Paskin 3 goals). 

 

Round 5 – 10/05/59 

Wynnum Manly 24 defeated Easts 15 (Davies Park) 

A win to Souths, who previously defeated Premiership leaders Norths, by Wynnum Manly A grade last Sunday creates an interesting position for the two leading teams when they meet in the Presidents Cup match. 

Wynnum Manly after last weeks match, share the leading position with Norths. Points are: Brothers 8, Wynnum Manly 8, Valleys 6, Norths 6, Souths 4, Easts and Wests 2. 

Next Sunday’s game completes the first round, with Brothers having the bye. 

The 24-15 win over Easts last Saturday had some anxious moments for Wynnum Manly supporters who saw their early lead of 13-2 reduced to 13-10 at halftime. 

Thomson put Easts in the lead in the second half with a converted try. Injury to Thomson quietened his play for the remainder of the match. East later also lost Logan. 

Wynnum Manly rugged play overcame the opposition to run out winners 24-15. 

Murphy, Green and Brown were outstanding, whilst Balderson, Thompson, Steele Davis, Ellercombe and Fox were good in support. 

Scorers: Wynnum Manly 24 (Paskins 2, Steele Davis, Law, Thomson, Fox tries, Paskins 3 goals) defeated Easts 15 (B.Hagan 3 tries, S.Neave 3 goals). 

 

Round 6 – 17/05/59 

Norths 27 defeated Wynnum Manly 21 (Lang Park) 

Brisbane’s glamour player Lionel Morgan fretted on the wing without the ball at Lang Park while his team was beaten 27-21 by Norths. Norths proved too strong both in the backs and forwards, and scored seven tries to Wynnum Manly’s five. Both sides kicked three goals. The same teams will play off for The Presidents Cup in a date to be arranged. 

Strong forward play by big Lloyd Weier, Barry Stevens and Jack Coyne laid the foundation for Norths win. Weier hit top form. He tackled keenly around the rucks and got across in cover defence. He also crashed through the rucks to make openings which were seldom accepted. Norths centres Bill Pearson and Billy Thomas also played a big part in the win by moving up sharply in defence to cut off the supply of ball to Morgan. Morgan did not receive one clean pass in the first half and only got some in the second half when he moved into the centre in desperation. Morgan went looking for the ball and at times stood directly behind the rucks too get an early pass and attempt a breakthrough. 

On the two occasions when he scooped up loose passes in the first half Morgan ran elusively to provide the lead up work for tries by his team mates Harry Law and Jim Paskin. Late in the second half he swept around outside winger Paskin to take a pass and win a race to the corner flag to score. 

Wynnum Manly lost centre Alf Birks with a knee injury in the first half.  Second row forward Steele Davis, ran well and handled cleanly, but he was one of the offenders in running the ball too far, where a quick pass might have reached Morgan. 

Scorers: Norths 27 (F.Metassa 2, M.Cox 2, Catton, B.Pearson, M.Anderson, Laurent tries, Cox, Catton, Weier goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 21 (J.Paskin 2, L.Morgan, R.Fox, H.Law tries, Paskin 3 goals).

 

Round 7 – 06/06/59 

Souths 26 defeated Wynnum Manly 24 (Davies Park) 

In a rugged game at Davies Park yesterday Souths Rugby League side snatched victory away from Wynnum Manly in the last three minutes when second-rower Mick Veivers bullocked his way across for a try. 

Veivers was one of the stars of the match and with Tommy Tyquin and Henry Holloway was mainly responsible for Souths 26-24 win. Eight minutes before time Lionel Morgan appeared to clinch the game for Wynnum when he scored a brilliant 30 yard try, beating four men to score under the posts. Jim Paskins converted and Wynnum led 24-23. Wynnum had moved up from a 10-23 deficit to lead. 

However Souths pack fought back downfield for Veivers to score the winning try. Steele Davis who scored three tries for Wynnum, was their outstanding forward. He played an 80 minute game, running well with the ball, tackling continuously and working hard in cover defense. 

Nimble half Bob Cory, ex-Union half was the pick of the Souths backs. He handled perfectly and penetrated every time he ran. Souths front-rower Jim Neville scored three tries. He ran like a winger to score the first of these from 40 yards out, 

The crowd of 5000 barracked continuously for Wynnum Manly. Keith Brown Wynnum’s captain as five-eighth, overshadowed the other Wynnum backs. 

Scorers: Souths 26 (J.Neville 3, M.Veivers 2, C.O’Sullivan tries, H.Holloway tries, Holloway 2, D.Townsend goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 24 (S.Davis 3, L.Greenhill, L.Morgan, K.Brown tries, J.Paskins 3 goals). 

 

Round 8 – 13/06/59 

Wynnum Manly 15 defeated Valleys 10 (Lang Park) 

Wynnum Manly came home like a steam train when they defeated Valleys by 15-10 at Lang Park yesterday.

In a match that was played end to end the crowd remained on edge at all times, as the team leading change five times during the match. In the end it was Wynnum Manly tight head prop Lou Greenhill that sealed the game with the match winning try.  The Baysiders missed several kicks at goal with a total of three different kickers used throughout the afternoon.

Best for Valleys was their fullback Norm Pope, breaking the line every time he touched the ball, he was supported heavily by his forward pack.  For Wynnum Greenhill tackled himself to a standstill, whilst the ever reliable Keith Brown was the best of the backs.  Wynnum still have work to do before meeting with Norths in the Presidents Cup match.

Scorers: Wynnum Manly 15 (K.Brown, L.Morgan, L.Greenhill tries, J.Paskin, S.Davis, Morgan goals) defeated Valleys 10 (R.Gray, G.Little tries, N.Pope 2 goals) 

 

Round 9 – 21/06/59 

Brothers 41 defeated Wynnum Manly 3 (Oxenham Park) 

A “make no mistake about it” first half carried Brothers to an easy 41-3 win over Wynnum Manly at Oxenham Park. 

They led 17-0 at halftime, which included three tries by left winger Noel Garvey. On each occasion Garvey’s pace burst him clear of a cloud of defending players. Brothers centres Morrie Lyons and Eric Peterson constantly set up openings and made the whole Brothers backline look dangerous when in possession. 

Wynnum Manly played strongly in the first fifteen minutes but failed to recover from the shock of the Brothers squad. Disorganised, Wynnum Manly only bucked when Jim Paskin scored in the corner after captain and five-eighth Rex Fox left the field with concussion ten minutes into the second half. 

Wynnum Manly halfback Ned Green and winger Brian Phillips were the only Wynnum Manly players to make an impression in attack. 

Scorers: Brothers 41 (N.Garvey 4, F.Melit, P.Gallaghar, S.Jackson, K.Kannar, B.O’Conner tries, M.Shannon 7 goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 3 (J.Paskin try) 

 

Round 10 – 28/06/59 

Easts 29 defeated Wynnum Manly 13 (Davies Park) 

Easts bottom team on the Brisbane Rugby League points table, crushed third placed Wynnum Manly at Davies Park 29-13. 

Chief instrument of Wynnum’s destruction was Queensland, Brisbane and Easts lock Joe Baker. Baker, Easts captain, scored a fine try between the posts, and his cover defence through the whole match was tenacious and tough. Next best for Easts were Bob Hagen, Col McCarthy and Stan Neave. Hagan played a slashing game and his hard driving runs were a feature of the match. He set up two tries and his defence was solid. 

Wynnum never looked the same team that had twice defeated Valleys and only tubby Brian Phillips at inside centre made any impression in attack. ‘Pencil” Geraghty 9st.10lb played his first game with Wynnum A Grade team this season and his cover defence from the wing was outstanding. 

Les Nelson, Easts front-rower, played a fiery forward game to score two tries. 

Scorers: Easts 29 (L.Nelson 2, C.McCarthy, J.Baker, B.Hamilton, B.McCall, R.Hastings tries, S.Neave 4 goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 13 (B.Phillips, N.Green, J.Thompson tries, J.Paskin 2 goals).

 

Round 11 – 05/07/59 (Presidents Cup) 

Wynnum Manly 12 defeated Norths 10 (Lang Park) 

Wynnum-Manly rugby league team downed Norths 12-10 at Lang Park yesterday to win the Presidents Cup – their first trophy since entering A grade competition eight years ago. 

The match was one of the best club fixtures of the season. The Wynnum-Manly forwards hammered non-stop at Norths from the kick-off, and had their opponents wilting over the closing stages. 

Splendid rucking and defence by the hefty Wynnum forwards, particularly Bob Greenhill, Jim Thompson and Steele Davis, won the match. 

Wynnum suffered an early setback when captain-centre Rex Fox left the field injured. They missed Fox’s drive and although his replacement Alan Peever played creditably, the backline never looked settled. 

Coloured winger Lionel Morgan, playing his first match after three weeks spell because of injury, was well watched by Norths’ Fonda Metassa, but managed to slip through for a try. 

Morgan opened the match with a sensational flying tackle that stopped a certain try by Norths hooker G.Fowler. 

Norths star was captain-coach Clive Churchill. He brought off three deadly, low tackles that stopped certain tries, and joined in backline movements in great style. 

Apart from Churchill, centre Norm Hynes was the best back. He scored a good try. Norths front rower Jack Coyne worked overtime in the heavy rucking, but did not have full support. Towering Lloyd Weier ran well, and his positional play is fast improving. Second rower Mick Laurent ran and tackled well. Wynnum-Manly won the scrums 18-9. 

First scorers: L.Morgan (2-W/Manly), L.Weier (11-Norths) 

Scorers: Wynnum-Manly 12 (L.Morgan J.Geraghty tries, B.Phillips 2, S.Davis goals) d Norths 10 (N.Hynes F.Metassa tries, L.Weier 2 goals) 

 

Round 12 – 12/07/59 

Wynnum Manly 14 defeated Wests 11 (Davies Park) 

Wynnum Manly Rugby League skipper shattered the opposition in his team’s 14-11 win over Wests at Davies Park. 

Brown, with two tries fired his team’s fighting spirit. And it was only the spirit that enabled them to hold out Wests in a hard fought match. Wests had the most possession throughout, but only their prop Barry Shannon could repeatedly penetrate the dogged Wynnum defence. Shannon and Brown were the players of the match. But Shannon stood out more so than Brown, because Brown had such sterling support from centre Alan Peever, halfback Ned Green and winger John ‘Pencil’ Geraghty. 

Brown’s two tries the first after a fend off of fullback Darryl Stevens and the second from a follow up of a shrewd ‘grubber kick’ sparked off repeated Wests counter attacks. Wynnum Manly had a led of 9-5 at halftime and with Brown’s try after the resumption of play the Baysiders were in great heart. 

Neither side goal kickers had much success Phillips kicking only one goal which was in front of the posts, and Stevens one from a slightly more difficult position. 

Apart from Shannon the packs matched up evenly, while Wynnum Manly’s Alan Peever, John Geraghty and Ned Green baulked the striving Ron McKenzie, Ben Day and Bertwhistle. 

Scorers: Wynnum Manly 14 (K.Brown 2, B.Greenhill, B.Phillips tries, Phillips goal) defeated Wests 11 (D.Stevens, B.Bertwhistle, B.Shannon, D.Stevens goal) 

 

Round 13 – 25/07/59 

Wynnum Manly 17 defeated Souths 11 (Lang Park) 

Veteran Rugby League centre Keith ‘Bomber’ Brown supplied that extra little bit of class to his play in Wynnum Manly’s 17-11 win over Souths at Lang Park. 

With an adept swerve and fend, Brown sliced through Souths defence to score an early try and also cut through for another fine 40 yard burst in the lead up work for Brian Phillips try. It was the thrust by Brown and Phillips in the early stages of the game which gave Wynnum Manly a handy lead of 11-3. 

Quick moving up by Wynnum Manly forwards in the rucks prevented Souths from making the most of their main strength, front rower Mick Veivers. 

I thought that referee Jim Wallace gave Wynnum Manly some latitude in the rucks. They could have been penalized for offside play particularly in the second half when Souths made determined forward onslaughts. 

But the Baysiders tackled with much more force and vigour then their opponents. Too many Souths players attempted high tackles which missed. 

Scorers: Wynnum Manly 17 (J.Geraghty, K.Brown, L.Morgan, B.Phillips, M.Green tries, Morgan goal) defeated Souths 11 (K.Pryor, McAuliffe, M.Veivers tries, H.Holloway goal).

 

Round 14 – 02/08/59 

Valleys 15 defeated Wynnum Manly 13 (Davies Park) 

In a rough and tumble Rugby League match at Davies Park yesterday Valleys scraped home 15-13 against Wynnum Manly. 

Play was at times fierce and referee Jim Wallace warned player on three occasions for punching, kneeing and “rabbit killers.” Wynnum Manly had an early 10-0 lead after two determined tries in the corner by John ‘Pencil’ Geraghty and conversion and penalty by ring winger Lionel Morgan the Baysiders capped their early superiority with a further try by Geraghty in the same spot. 

Valleys tightened up a just before halftime got their first points with a rucking try by prop forward Ken McGreadie. 

In the second half Wynnum Manly who had replaced second-rower Jim Thompson with Brian Phillips, could not withstand the forward battering of Valleys Geoff O’Brien, Mel Hansen and Alan Quinter. O’Brien who was the outstanding forward of the ragged match, wrestled his way over for a try. Pope had made two conversions to make the match 10-13 when Valleys snatched the lead. 

The clash of the two coloured wingers, Bob Gray (Valleys) and Lionel Morgan (Wynnum) had been followed closely and it was Gray who stepped through Morgan to run 50 yards to score the winning try under the posts. Pope converted the try to give Valleys a 15-13 victory. 

Scorers: Valleys 15 (G.O’Brien, K.McGreadie, R.Gray tries, N.Pope 3 goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 13 (J.Geraghty 3 tries, L.Morgan 2 goals) 

 

Round 15 – 09/08/59 

Brothers 15 defeated Wynnum Manly 12 (Lang Park) 

Playing a man short after winger Lionel Morgan had been sent off the field by referee Jim Wallace, Wynnum Manly Rugby League team were unlucky to be beaten in the last minute of the game against Brothers at Lang Park. 

Brothers won by 15-13 when Kev McMahon shot across in the corner with only one minute left to play.  Morgan, Bulimba Cup and State trial winger, was sent off a minute before halftime following a report to the referee by touch judge J.Williams.  He will be sighted to go before the B.R.L. Judiciary tonight.  Chairman of the B.R.L. Referees Association Mr. Joe Thompson said that Morgan will be charged having used abusive language to touch judge Williams.  Morgan yesterday denied that he had abused a touch judge. 

An ugly situation seemed certain to develop when hundreds of spectators rushed to the fence of the dressing room enclosure as Wallace, Williams and the other touch judge C.Bofinger, left the field at halftime.  Police escorted them back to the edge of the field to restart the game, and were also there to escort them back to the dressing room after the match. 

It was a scrappy but willing match and there was plenty of hard tackling.  Wynnum Manly forwards with Bob Greenhill and Harold Law outstanding, were far stronger in the rucks and open than their opponents.  Law, Greenhill and hooker Keith Lewis had Brother defending desperately as they ran strongly from the rucks to penetrate.  “Bomber” Brown played another outstanding game at centre for Wynnum Manly.  His elusive running and clever dummying brought the first try after 19 minutes and he was always a danger to Brothers. 

Wynnum Manly led by 3-0 at halftime, but it should have been at least 8-0.  Brown had made another splendid run to Brothers fullback Shannon but winger John Geraghty failed to take his pass, with the line wide open. Brothers hit the front 5-3 with a penalty goal by Shannon and a smart try by Jackson after three switches from rucks.  Bob Greenhill moments later crashed through the defence for another converted try and the Baysiders led 13-7.  Two tries in the last four minutes by Brothers to Jackson and McMahon sealed victory for Brothers 15-13. 

Scorers: Brothers 15 (Jackson 2, K.McMahon tries, M.Shannon 3 goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 13 (H.Law, B.Greenhill, K.Brown tries, B.Phillips 2 goals) 

 

Round 16 – 16/08/59 

Wynnum Manly 12 defeated Easts 10 (Lang Park) 

An improved Wynnum Manly Rugby League side defeated Easts 12-10 in a hard fought tussle at Lang Park. The win virtually kills Easts chance of a shot at the premiership. The side will have to win in the next two matches, including a clash with Premiership leaders Norths and Wynnum must lose the next two before Easts can make the semi final. 

Yesterday Easts started well but lost their smart halfback Stan Neave early and found it hard to settle down with winger Brian Hamilton replacing him behind the scrum. Easts had a first class replacement for Neave in fullback Bruce McCaul, but did not bring him into the halfback position until the closing stages. 

Wynnum were always on top in the forwards and backs. With a major share of the ball they scored four tries to Easts two. Best for Wynnum were Steele Davis, Bob Greenhill and Keith Lewis in the forwards and centres Alan Peever and Keith Brown, and halfback Morrie Green. 

Easts forwards, K.Gill and Frank Duncan and backs McCaul, Ray Swan and Col McCartney were good. A crowd of 12 000 saw the match. 

Scorers: Wynnum Manly 12 (J.Geraghty, K.Brown, M.Green, S.Davis tries) defeated Easts 10 (R.Hagan, B.McCaul tries, S.Neave, McCaul goals).

 

Round 17 – 23/08/59 

Wynnum Manly 16 defeated Norths 13 (Lang Park) 

Wynnum Manly A Grade team on Sunday defeated minor premiers Norths, 16-13, in a game that was highlighted by hard tackling. 

Bob Greenhill gains the “Courier Mail” bonus and a five pound bonus donated by Mr Bert Barrow. 

On Wynnum Manly’s display last Sunday, their premiership chances are enhanced. I doubt it, if they continue in this vein, that any club side could defeat them. Steele Davis kicked five goals, four of them from penalties. 

Wynnum Manly overcame the shock tactics that Norths attempted from the kick off, and it was Norths who were rattled 70 out of the 80 minutes of the game. 

Scorers: Wynnum Manly 16 (S.Davis, J.Geraghty tries, S.Davis 5 goals) defeated Norths 13 (M.Cox, N.Hymes, F.Metassa tries, L.Weier, C.Churchill goals) 

 

Round 18 – 29/08/59 

Wests 8 defeated Wynnum Manly 5 (Lang Park) 

Wests, the rugby league underdogs, came through a muddle of fumbled passes, missed tackles and disorganized play to down Wynnum Manly at Lang Park. 

But it must be the shock of the year for Wynnum Manly officials and supporters.  It is difficult to believe that Wynnum Manly, after a string of wins including the Presidents Cup, could play so badly. Their only chance of a recovery came after 15 minutes in the second half, when Wests State centre Col Weir was sent off. Referee Noel Horn sent Weir off after Wynnum’s coloured winger Lionel Morgan was flattened in a tackle. Morgan was carried off for ambulance attention and returned five minutes later. 

Wynnum had opened up the scoring with a penalty kick to Steele Davis from 35 yards out, and although Wests were on top in the play, it was Wynnum who led 2-0. Wests turned on their best football after halftime and fullback Daryl Stevens scored a good try after solid rucking by Wests.  Wests winger Ian Price made it 6-2 when he scored a sound try from a good backline movement.  Fullback Daryl Stevens gave Wests two more points with a penalty kick. 

Wynnum halfback Morrie Green who had not been playing up to his usual form, snapped up a low pass from lumbering forward Les Greenhill to score the final try.  But the biggest disappointment of the match was the Wynnum forward pack.  Not one of the previous top set could rise to the game.  Newcomer, Fred Stevenson tried hard but was caught running back into the Wests pack too often. Wynnum’s classy centre Alan Peever was their best back. West captain Doug Hamilton was the best of the Wests forwards. 

Scorers: Wests 8 (D.Stevens, I.Price tries, B.Stevens goal) defeated Wynnum Manly 5 (M.Green try, S.Davis goal).

 

Knockout Semi Final – 05/09/59 

Wynnum Manly 15 defeated Valleys 11 (Lang Park) 

Wynnum Manly Rugby League team reached their highest spot since entering the B.R.L competition when they beat Valleys 15-11 at Lang Park to qualify for the final.  This is the third time Wynnum Manly have reached the semi-finals, but it was their first semi final win in first grade. 

They had to withstand a determined challenge in the second half by Valleys, and the result was in doubt right to the final minute, when Steele Davis landed a penalty goal in front of the posts.  There was no score for 22 minutes then mishandling by Valleys backs allowed Keith Brown to scoop up a loose ball. He passed to Brian Phillips, who stood firmly in the tackle and sent Lionel Morgan flying on to score.  The Baysiders scored another opportunist try in the first half when poorer handling by Valleys forwards allowed Bob Greenhill to kick the ball through.  He followed the kick, again regathered and scored under the posts. Steele Davis converted both tries and Wynnum Manly led by 10-0 at half time. 

Big Wynnum Manly prop Harold Law did some tremendous strong tackling in the first half. He put every pound of his weight into low driving tackles, which always sent his victim back. 

Valleys started their traditional recovery immediately on resumption.  They stormed at the Wynnum Manly line and within three minutes had scored a try when Nev Casey ran well to make a man over for Bob Devantier to score out wide.  But Wynnum Manly replied immediately when Alan Peever pushed off a weak tackle, ran well a set up the opening for Morgan to score his second try.  Valleys found a blindside weakness in Wynnum Manly’s ruck formation and pounded at it for Gray to force his way over.  Then Ray Paulsen crashed through to score between the posts.  Pope converted to make it a 13-11 and the Diehards looked certain to pull the match out. 

But the Wynnum Manly forwards closed up the game sufficiently to use up valuable time on Valleys and a final penalty clinched it for the Baysiders.  Wynnum Manly’s Brian Phillips (backs) and Bob Greenhill (forwards) won special bonuses of five pound each, awarded by Wynnum Manly business people. 

Scorers: Wynnum Manly 15 (L.Morgan 2, B.Greenhill tries, S.Davis 3 goals) defeated Valleys 11 (R.Grey, Devantier, R.Paulsen tries, N.Pope goal) 

 

Preliminary Final -12/09/59 

Norths 12 defeated Wynnum Manly 3 (Lang Park) 

Muddy Conditions at Lang Park yesterday brought the best out of Norths Rugby League team, who beat Wynnum Manly by 12-3 in the B.R.L Preliminary Final and thus qualified to play Brothers in next Saturdays Grand Final. 

Norths captain, Jack Coyne, played with wonderful spirit and set a strong example in determination which his forwards followed.  Star of the game was Norths halfback Ken Anderson who gave his best display since coming to Norths from Sydney.  But the big feature of his display was his defence. I thought that Anderson tackled twice as many men as any other player on the field.  He did the lead up work which brought Norths first try when he shot away from a scrum in a 20 yard dash, drew two tacklers to himself, then sent a well directed overhead pass to Billy Thomas.  Thomas sent the ball onto Bill Pearson and winger Fonda Metassa was given a clear run to the line. 

Norths led by only 2-0 at halftime but should have been further ahead.  They took tap penalties from two easy goal kicking positions right in front of the posts. 

The Baysiders went very close to scoring just before halftime when Bob Greenhill made a crashing run to open up the way for Lionel Morgan, who was pulled down just two feet short of the try line.  Ron Ellicombe had also burst through well and with the line wide open his pass to Jim Geraghty was intercepted.  Wynnum Manly won the first four scrums of the second half and their attack was more spirited. But Norths first try seemed to dampen them again.  Lewis made his third breakthrough and Rex Fox who replaced Phillips, backed up well but he was heavily tackled with no one else in support. 

From then the Baysiders looked an impotent, disorganized side and it was not until the last minute that saw Keith Brown, who had seen little of the ball, made two dashes and scored from the second. 

Scorers: Norths 12 (F.Metassa, Fowler tries, D.Dall 3 goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 3 (K.Brown try).

 

Match Report Sources: The Brisbane Courier Mail. 1959 

Match Report Source Round 8: Wynnum Manly Rugby League Football Club

Photo Sources: The Brown & Lewis Families and Wynnum Manly Rugby League Football Club