Round 1 – 31/3/63
Wynnum Manly 13 d Wests 12 (Lang Park)
Wynnum Manly playing a man short for 30 minutes outlasted a strong second half challenge by Wests at Lang Park yesterday to win their opening match of the season 13-12. The Baysiders new five-eighth, brilliant Johnny Gleeson, was carried from the field 10 minutes after halftime with a nasty head wound. Gleeson was taken to hospital where stiches were inserted in a cut over the right eye. Referee Don Lancashire was very severe on breaches of the new scrum rule and also ruck infringements. Altogether, 49 penalties prevented any continuity of attacking play. Scrum infringements accounted for 27 of the penalties.
Wynnum Manly held a 4-0 halftime lead from two penalties by Lionel Morgan, but Wests hit back hard on resumption and took the lead with a try by young winger Arch Brown, converted by Ron Atkins. Wests were leading 7-4 when Gleeson left the field, but lost the lead to the Baysiders when Keith Wilson sent replacement Dick Wilson over in the corner. Morgan converted the try and landed two more penalty goals to complete his team’s total of 13 points.
Wests had another burst of attack which resulted in young forward Tom Foley bursting away from a ruck to score. Atkins converted to make the final scores 13-12. Lionel Morgan repeatedly pulled his team out of trouble with long line kicks and was always keen to go after the loose ball. Trevor Niebling and Paddy Morgan were the best of the Baysiders’ forwards. Wests gave away too many penalties. Ken Day was closely watched and had a quiet game. Les Connell was Wests soundest player.
Scorers: Wynnum Manly 13 (D.Wilson try, L.Morgan 5 goals) defeated Wests 12 (A.Brown, T.Foley tries, R.Atkins 3 goals)
Round 2 – 07/4/63
Wynnum Manly 17 d P/Brothers 15 (Davies Park)
Wynnum Manly held onto a strong second half win to defeat Brothers 17-15 at Davies Park yesterday. Both teams scored three tries, but Alan Monaghan landed four goals for Wynnum, while George Doniger landed three. Wynnum Manly led 17-7 late in the second half, but two tries to Brothers winger Brian Milburn had the Baysider’s defending fiercely at the full time bell.
Milburn was one of the outstanding players on the field, one of his tries was from near his own 25 yard line. Best player for Wynnum Manly was fullback Harry Muir. He made a lot of ground with long weaving runs, his line kicks were first class and he scored a fine try.
Brothers front rower Brian O’Conner defended soundly in the first half, but in the second half received broken ribs.
Scorers: Wynnum Manly 17 (H.Muir, D.Purdy, L.McDermott tries, A.Monaghan 4 goals) defeated Brothers 15 (B.Milburn 2, G.Balkin tries, G.Doniger 3 goals)
Round 3 – 14/4/63
Wynnum Manly 14 d Redcliffe 10 (Redcliffe Showgrounds)
Wynnum Manly’s weary defence held on just long enough to defeat Redcliffe by 14-20 in a scrappy Rugby League club match at Redcliffe yesterday. Spoiling defence prevented many promising backline movements and both sides suffered from handling lapses Their were some flashes of bright attacking play from Wynnum Manly halves Ivor Birrell and Johnny Gleeson and Redcliffe lock Col Weier cleverly made openings for two tries. Birrell cut the line twice in the first 20 minutes and sent winger Harry Muir over for the first try. Gleeson also scored a try after a brilliant weaving 50 yard run.
John Treeby left the field in the first half with a badly bruised shoulder, Mould, who tackled strongly at times and gave glimpses of good attack, suffered a reoccurrence of a knee injury and limped throughout the second half on the wing. Wynnum Manly’s more impressive backline could not function well through lack of possession, particularly in the second half. Their were some rugged forward clashes in which Redcliffe with Des Webb, Dick Boxsall and Neale Cox prominent, held their own.
Paddy Morgan and Ron Wittenberg worked overtime in defence for Wynnum Manly. With a blustery south-easterly wind behind them and running downhill in the first half, Wynnum Manly had an even share of ball in the early stages and went to a 12-2 lead by halftime. Their lock Alan Monaghan landed three good goals in this half and another in the second.
Scorers: Wynnum Manly 14 (H.Muir, J.Gleeson tries, A.Monaghan 4 goals) defeated Redcliffe 10 (N.Cox, Leu Weier tries, G.Kerr 2 goals).
Round 4 – 21/4/63
Wynnum Manly 24 d Easts 15 (Langlands Park)
Tear-away 15 stone forward Trevor Niebling ran like a three-quarter to lead his team to a 24-15 win over Easts at Langlands Park yesterday. Niebling made four 50 yard runs to bring play within striking distance of Easts line. Full advantage of these runs was taken by brilliant five-eighth Johnny Gleeson, who score twice following Niebling’s efforts.
Gleeson repeatedly cut holes in Easts defence, with powerful swerving runs and with Harry Muir (winger and Bill McDermott (centre) dazzled the opposition. This win, coupled with Norths shock defeat, places Wynnum on top of the premiership ladder.
Harry Muir kept the record crowd on its feet, with smart handling and long passing. Brisbane centre Billy McDermott supported well and scored too well judged tries.
Neibling’s best supporters in the forwards were Ron Wittenberg and captain Paddy Morgan. Dick Baker and hooker Brian Blowes stood out in defence and attack in the East pack, while fullback Max Henderson played a sound game. Barry McColl, Easts centre, scored two tries.
Scorers: Wynnum Manly 24 (J.Gleeson 2, B.McDermott 2, B.Muir, A.Monaghan tries, Monaghan 3 goals) defeated Easts 15 (B.McColl 2, M.Henderson tries, Henderson 3 goals).
Round 5 – 12/5/63
Wynnum Manly 11 drew with F/Valley 11 (Neumann Oval)
Two missed penalty kicks after the final bell had sounded, cost Valleys a win over Wynnum Manly at Neumann Oval yesterday. The match ended in a hard fought 11-all draw, which was a fair result for a match which fluctuated throughout.
Norm Pope had a chance to win the match with a penalty goal awarded to Valleys by referee Don Lancashire, seconds before the final bell. As Pope was placing the ball the bell sounded, but his kick, a hard one from about 50 yards out, fell short and was gathered by a Wynnum player. Wynnum centre Harry Muir got possession, ran across field, was tackled and lost the ball forward. Another Wynnum player picked up the ball offside and was penalised. Pope’s second goal attempt again failed.
Each team scored a try and kicked four goals, but the try of the match belong to flying Valleys winger, Robin Gilbank, who beat four men in a 50 yard run to the line.
Scorers: Wynnum Manly 11 (L.McDermott try, A.Monaghan 2, P.Morgan 2 goals) drew with Valleys 11 (R.Gilbank try, N.Pope 4 goals).
Round 6 – 19/5/63
Wynnum Manly 16 d Norths 5 (Lang Park)
Two players were sent off the field during a fiery Rugby League match at Lang Park yesterday in which Wynnum Manly beat premiers Norths 16-5. Wynnum Manly forward Paddy Morgan and Norths five-eighth Bill Pearson, were sent off for punching during a fierce second half. There has seldom been a better display of sustained tackling than Wynnum Manly gave yesterday. Norths won scrums by 28-11, but their attacking efforts were regularly frustrated. Strong tackling by the Baysiders checked Lloyd Weier, Bob Poulsen and Johnny Bates.
All Wynnum Manly players tackled well, but Trevor Niebling, Bill McDermott, Lionel Morgan and Johnny Gleeson were outstanding. Niebling, Danny Stewart and Paddy Morgan also thrust holes through Norths forward defence and often drove Norths into their own quarter with a series of crashing bursts up the middle. Lionel Morgan gave his team the early lead of 6-0 by landing three penalties in a row, he took it to 8-5 by halftime.
Norths had a few dangerous attacking periods in the first half, but only once they cracked the last line of defence to score when Fonda Metassa flew over in the corner. Midway through the second half the premiers were a tired, beaten side. Wynnum Manly then took up the attack and McDermott and Brian Kirby went over for tries.
Scorers: Wynnum Manly 16 (L.McDermott, B.Kirby tries, L.Morgan 5 goals) defeated Norths 5 (F.Metassa try, J.Hannam goal).
Round 7 – 22/5/63
Wynnum Manly 13 d Souths 8 (Exhibition Grounds)
Lionel Morgan, State and International Rugby League winger, again piloted his club, Wynnum Manly, to victory last night by scoring all the points in the 13-8 win over Souths at the Exhibition Ground. Morgan landed five goals from six attempts and scored the only try for his side. The match postponed from Labour Day because of heavy rain, completed the first round and Wynnum Manly still undefeated, head the competition points three ahead of Norths and Redcliffe.
Wynnum Manly’s big prop forward Trevor Niebling gave another powerful display of tackling and forward forging. He had great support from giant prop Danny Stewart, second rowers Blackwell and Keith Wilson, while Paddy Morgan played with customary dash and fire at lock. Five-eighth Johnny Gleeson was sharp in attack and defended particularly well. But Souths backs with Ivan Jones spearheading the assaults in attack, looked more impressive with the ball than their opponents.
Frank Drake tried hard to pull the match off for Souths and was sound in all departments. Morgan gave Wynnum Manly a 6-3 halftime lead with three penalty goals to a try by Souths. The try by Souths came from a clever inside play by Jones and Drake and a fine finishing run by winger Dennis Farrell. A try by Drake and Bond’s only goal gave Souths their first lead about ten minutes after halftime, Ken Cranston, at centre, put Souths in a scoring position.
But Lionel Morgan with a brilliant 30 yard run scored and converted a try 10 minutes later to take back the lead. He then laded another penalty to make it 13-8, after 24 minutes of the second half.
Scorers: Wynnum Manly 13 (L.Morgan try, 5 goals) defeated Souths 8 (D.Farrell, F.Drake tries, B.Bond goal).
Round 8 – 26/5/63
Wests 14 d Wynnum Manly 7 (Lang Park)
Western Suburbs became the new “giant killers” yesterday when they outplayed previously unbeaten side Wynnum Manly to win by 14-7 at Lang Park. In one of the hardest matches of the season Wests unwound some brilliant attack to score four tries to one. Young forwards Merv Kaper, Tom Foley, Fred Bowman and hooker Bob Jones piled into their hefty opponents with full blooded tackles which bigger packs had failed to use against the baysiders.
Five-eighth Merv Stafford, centres Les Connell and Col weir were equally secure in defence and effectively cut off dangerous attackers in Johnny Gleeson, Lionel Morgan and Billy McDermott. But tries still had to be scored and it was brilliant play by fullback Kev Lingard which gave Wests their first two tries and a halftime lead of 6-4.
Wests third try followed amazing fluctuations early in the second half. Day burst through for a 50-yard run, Lionel Morgan intercepted a pass and took play within a few yards of Wests line, but Connell stole the ball and Bowman ran 40 yards to send Muir over. Stafford took a nice switch in play from Muir to send Day away on another long run which finished in a try by winger Johnny Conner.
Wynnum Manly’s best were Johnny Gleeson and Paddy Morgan. Wynnum’s big pack failed to change their barging tactics, when some quick passing must have brought better results. I also thought that Morgan erred in not kicking for kicking for goal from the many penalties. Wynnum Manly won the scrums 15-10 and penalties favoured them by 26-12.
Scorers: Wests 14 (K.Lingard, L.Conners, M.Stafford, B.Muir tries, A.Brown goal) defeated Wynnum Manly 8 (B.Kirby try, L.Morgan 2 goals).
Round 9 – 02/6/63
Wynnum Manly 12 d P/Brothers 10 (Langlands Park)
Rugby League Premiership leaders Wynnum Manly tackled their way to a lucky 12-10 win over Brothers at Langlands Park yesterday. Brothers, spearheaded by five-eighth Eric Gelling and captain Peter Gallagher, tried everything in the last ten minutes but were always stopped by a wall of Wynnum defenders. Brothers were unlucky, they had the better of the attack and looked sharper in the backs.
Big young prop Trevor Niebling carried the Wynnum defence for most of the match. When Wynnum’s defence wilted under pressure from Brothers constant attack, Niebling was in the thick of it, knocking down attacker after attacker. When Brothers were trying desperately to get back in the lead in the closing stages it was Niebling who rallied his forwards to super defence.
Wynnum Manly five-eight Johnny Gleeson was well looked after by Gelling in the first half, but Gleeson slipped through soon after halftime to beat more than six tacklers in a long weaving run to score. Centre Gary Balkan and winger Brian Milburn were Brothers best outside backs. Wynnum’s tough second rower Paddy Morgan and prop Danny Stewart were big dangers to Brothers, but played only in patches.
Scorers: Wynnum Manly 12 (J.Gleeson, C.Poole tries, L.Morgan 2, J.Davis goals) defeated Brothers 10 (B.Milburn, E.Gelling tries, N.Cavanagh 2 goals).
Round 10 – 09/6/63
Norths 15 d Wynnum Manly 14 (Lang Park – Presidents Cup Final)
Brisbane Rugby League premiers Norths overcame lack of possession to down premiership points leaders, Wynnum Manly, 15-14 in the Presidents Cup final at Lang Park yesterday. Norths hung on in the last half when they lost the scrums 4-11 (11-21 for the match) to win with three tries to two. The first half of the match, which Norths led 15-3, provided the Lang Park crowd with some of the best club football seen this season, certainly the best from Norths.
One try, a combination of the Bates brothers and two team mates, from an eighty yard movement was a gem. Second rower Johnny Bates started the movement when he broke the line, sent a pass to five-eighth Bobby Cook, who sent onto winger Ray Cattanach. The ball went back inside to Johnny Bates, who sent his brother, Harry Bates, clear for a glorious try under the posts. Big Prop Lloyd Weier broke out of his recent patchy form to play one of his best matches of the season, with heavy tackling and a good deal of running.
However, strong Wynnum defence, particularly from Trevor Niebling, Danny Stewart and Johnny Gleeson, restricted Weier’s usual long bursts. Gleeson was outstanding for Wynnum in defence and attack. Centre Bill McDermott and fiery halfback Ivor Birrell were others to standout for the Baysiders.
Scorers: Norths 15 (H.Bates, H.Whitaker, Brian Cook tries, Bobby Cook 3 goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 14 (L.McDermott, D.Stewart tries, L.Morgan 4 goals).
Round 11 – 16/6/63
Wynnum Manly 33 d Easts 13 (Langlands Park)
Forward Alan Monaghan kicked nine goals from 10 attempts to give Wynnum Manly a 33-13 win over Easts at Langlands Park yesterday. Monaghan was playing his first game for four weeks. He suffered a fractured cheekbone in the match against Norths.
The Baysiders, with Monaghan’s help, scored most of their points in the first half and lead by 24-5 at the break. Easts came right back into the game in the second half to add two tries and scored eight points to Wynnum’s nine.
Bill McDermott at five-eighth did a lot of damage for Wynnum Manly and halfback Ivor Birrell went well for the whole eighty minutes. Big forwards Trevor Niebling and Danny Stewart put the pressure on early and got right on top of Easts pack. Kevin Pobar shone in cover defence.
Ted Puller was the best of the Easts players, while Col McCartney also tried hard and Carlton ran well on the wing.
Scorers: Wynnum Manly 33 (L.Morgan 2, K.Pobar 2, I.Birrell tries, A.Monaghan 9 goals) defeated Easts 13 (P.Carlton, B.Carson, K.Craven tries M.Henderson 2 goals).
Round 12 – 23/6/63
Souths 21 d Wynnum Manly 10 (Lang Park)
International forward Mick Veivers was sent off the field by referee Don Lancashire 15 minutes from the end of the Souths match against Wynnum Manly at Lang Park yesterday. Souths finished well over Wynnum Manly to win by 21-10. Souths scored five tries plus two goals by Frank Drake and one by Bruce Bond. All of Wynnum Manly’s points came from penalty goals. It was a fiery game particularly in the second half. Veivers, who turned in one of his most vigorous games of the season, had been warned for rough play before his dismissal.
Wynnum Manly did not click as a team yesterday. They badly missed the solid ruck play and secure tackling of big forward Trevor Niebling, who is out of action with a broken wrist. They were no match for the sharp attack by Souths backline, in which halfback Ivan Jones, centre Ken Cranston and Des Smith were most prominent.
Jones played intelligently, and if there was any criticism due it was trying a little too much on his own. Bill McDermott at five-eighth and Johnny Gleeson at centre were the best for Wynnum Manly.
Scorers: Souths 21 (D.Smith, D.Farrell, J.Murdoch, C.Gayton, B.Bond tries, F.Drake, B.Bond goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 10 (L.Morgan 4, A.Monaghan goal).
Round 13 – 29/6/63
F/Valley 19 d Wynnum Manly 11 (Lang Park)
A great first half, in which they scored three tries, gave Valleys a deserved 19-11 win over Brisbane Rugby League premiership leaders, Wynnum Manly, at Lang Park yesterday. Valleys, lifted by two outstanding tries by young winger Robin Gilbank, led 15-3 at halftime and looked unbeatable. Gilbank in his first year of Senior Rugby League scored one of the best wingers tries seen in Brisbane.
Gilbank opposed State winger Lionel Morgan, got the ball from a scrum from halfback Robin Grove, changed direction and speedily moved around Morgan and then outpaced fullback Barry Boyd and Johnny Gleeson to score under the posts. Three minutes later Gilbank was in for his second try, after again leaving Morgan trailing with a change of pace. It was Gilbank’s 15th try of the season and makes him the B.R.L.’s leading try scorer.
One of the few bright spots in Wynnum Manly’s play, was the great defence of prop Trevor Niebling, who tackled himself to a standstill, making up for a lack of defence by his team mates.
Scorers: Valleys 19 (R.Gilbank 2, K.Hookway tries, N.Pope 5 goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 11 (L.Morgan 2, F.Larkin tries A.Monaghan goal).
Round 14 – 07/7/63
Redcliffe 10 d Wynnum Manly 9 (Lang Park)
Gusty westerly winds robbed Wynnum Manly Rugby League team of a last second one point win over Redcliffe in a thrilling finish to the club game a t Lang Park yesterday. Redcliffe played the better attacking football and deserved their 10-9 win by scoring two tries to one. Wynnum Manly captain, international Lionel Morgan, place the ball for a desperation kick at goal as the final siren sounded. It was a 50-yard straight kick and the Wynnum Manly supporters cheered in anticipation as the ball sailed accurately towards the right hand section of the crossbar. But at the last moment the cross field westerly wind caught the ball, it hit the right hand upright and rebounded into the field of play and Redcliffe ‘killed’ it.
Some Wynnum Manly players put up wonderful tackling efforts, particularly in the second half. Wynnum Manly were disorganised through injury and regular half back Ivor Birrell played centre. In was a hard-hitting game he was outstanding with full-blooded straight tackling.
Prop forward Ron Wittenberg playing his first game for five weeks tackled himself into exhaustion, and Trevor Niebling never stopped trying in attack and defence.
Scorers: Redcliffe 10 () defeated Wynnum Manly 9 ().
Round 15 – 14/7/63
Wynnum Manly 24 d P/Brothers 3 (Langlands Park)
Glamour Brisbane and Wynnum Manly winger Lionel Morgan swept through Brothers at Langlands Park yesterday to lead his team to a 24-3 win. Morgan scored three tries and kicked five goals for a personal tally of 19 points. Brothers surprised in the first half by dominating play and left winger Jim Dwyer scored the sole try. This was after some strong running by forwards Peter Gallagher and Alex Kolomeitz.
In the second half Brothers again held the strong Wynnum team, but they could not hold the elusive Morgan. After ten minutes with Brothers on top and attacking Morgan grabbed a loose ball, beat his opposing winger and two cover defenders stepped around Brian Milburn and raced 50 yards to score. After a try to Johnny Gleeson after he kicked a loose ball through, Morgan sealed the match for his team with an amazing 70 yard try. Morgan scored under the posts again five minutes later.
Brothers defended well except for their apparent “Morgan complex,” and Gallagher made some strong busts. Young centre Trevor Instrell showed plenty of promise. Wynnum Manly forwards Alan Monaghan and Trevor Niebling were with the exception of Morgan, the outstanding players on the field.
Scorers: Wynnum Manly 24 (L.Morgan 3, J.Gleeson tries, L.Morgan 5, A.Monaghan goals) defeated Brothers 3 (J.Dwyer try).
Round 16 – 21/7/63
Wests 23 d Wynnum Manly 15 (Lang Park)
Wests backs again played brilliantly to defeat Wynnum Manly by 23-15 at Lang Park yesterday. Centre Col Weier and fullback Kevin Lingard were in superb form and shared the responsibility for Wests five tries. Weier opened the scoring with a try after a strong swerving 30-yard run and in the second half he cut right up the middle of the field, leaving Wynnum Manly’s defence shattered, and sent winger Merv Stafford over. Then he eluded the defence in a 50-yard run, passed to Ken Day, then got the ball back again and scored.
Lingard went over for his second try, after Gary Manson and Barry Muir, had opened up the way for Weier’s burst along the touchline. Lingard was quickly into position to take Weier’s pass and score.
Wynnum Manly halfback Ivor Berrell breaks from the scrum against Wests at Lang Park
Wynnum Manly’s big centre, Bill McDermott, shared the match honours with Weier and Lingard. It was McDermott’s best game this season. McDermott running more freely and using his weight frequently burst through tackles or beat his man with a sidestep. He ran 50 yards to make the Baysiders first try and was on the spot to score himself from an ‘Up and Under’ kick later in the match. Wynnum Manly finished the match with 12 men after tough forward Ron Wittenberg was sent off by referee Col Wright after 15 minutes play in the second half.
Scorers: Wests 23 (K.Lingard 2, C.Weir, M.Stafford, B.Muir tries, Stafford 3, A.Brown goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 15 (B.McDermott, G.Van Hoff, B.Boyd tries, L.Morgan 3 goals).
Round 17 – 28/7/63
Wynnum Manly 18 d Redcliffe 7 (Lang Park)
Redcliffe Rugby League team, cut to ten men by injury and a double send off by Henry Albert, lost to Wynnum Manly at Lang Park yesterday. Wynnum Manly won 18-7 after leading 3-2 at halftime. Referee Henry Albert shocked spectators when he sent Redcliffe captain, Henry Holloway, off seconds after ordering off Redcliffe halfback, Tom Connelly.
Albert’s action followed a wild brawl after Connelly had been tackled by big Wynnum Manly prop Dick Wilson. If the Connelly send off was in order, then he should have been accompanied by his adversary. Holloway got his marching orders after a brief discussion with the referee.
At that stage Wynnum Manly led 8-2 back a great comeback by Redcliffe, ten minutes later reduced the lead to 8-7. Two brilliant individual tries by Johnny Gleeson laid the foundation for his teams win. Tireless forward Trevor Niebling was the pick of the Wynnum forwards.
Scorers: Wynnum Manly 18 (J.Gleeson 2, G.Von Hoff, L.Morgan tries A.Monaghan 2, Morgan goals) defeated Redcliffe 7 (G.Mould try, H.Holloway, D.Marney goals).
Round 18 – 04/8/63
Wynnum Manly 40 d Easts 13 (Davies Park)
Easts remain bottom of the rugby League premiership table after their 40-13 loss against Wynnum Manly at Davies Park yesterday. Apart from some smart play by fullback Max Henderson and halfback Ted Fuller, Easts backline was ineffectual. In the forwards Easts second rower Frank Duncan, played a battering, hard tackling game and was ably supported by lock Billy Thistlewaite.
Wynnum Manly were far from impressive and loose passing saw many try scoring opportunities go begging. Easily the best for Wynnum Manly was State five-eighth Johnny Gleeson, who scored three tries in the first half. Lionel Morgan, fullback for Wynnum Manly scored one try and converted four others. Wynnum Manly second rower Mark Backwell scored two tries within a minute of each other.
Scorers: Wynnum Manly 40 (J.Gleeson 3, M.Backwell 2, B.McDermott 2, L.Morgan, A.Monaghan, F.Larkin tries, L.Morgan 4, A.Monaghan goals) defeated Easts 13 (R.McIntosh, I.Berrell, B.Thistlewaite tries, M.Henderson 2 goals)
Round 19 – 11/8/63
Souths 5 d Wynnum Manly 4 (Lang Park)
Souths and Wynnum Manly pounded each other to nearly walking pace in the toughest club match of the season at Lang Park yesterday. In the fierce tackling match, Souths scored the only try and led by 3-2 at halftime. The scores reached 5-4 only six minutes from halftime and the crowd of about 7000 was in continuous uproar as the teams battled out the remaining 34 minutes without a change in the scores.
Wynnum Manly winger Harry Muir gave Souths officials heart failure with an attempt at field goal three minutes from the end. His kick just shaved the upright. A goal would have given the Baysiders victory. Morgan went close to pulling off a win for his team when he spent most of the last ten minutes up in play with his elusive running.
Frank Drake also stopped two certain Baysider tries, when he smothered Morgan and Gleeson, after they had chopped through the main defence.
Scorers: Souths 5 (I.Jones try, S.McDonald goal) defeated Wynnum Manly 4 (A.Monaghan 2 goals).
Round 20 – 24/8/63
F/Valley 14 d Wynnum Manly 8 (Lang Park)
Valleys went into a Brisbane Rugby League semi final place chance on Wynnum Manly mistakes at Lang Park yesterday. Valleys won the match 14-8. The depleted Wynnum Manly team without three State stars killed their own chances in the second half, with poor passing and equally bad handling. Both teams finished with only 12 players after Wynnum Manly lost lock Alan Monaghan with injury, 15 minutes from fulltime. Five minutes later Valleys fiery second rower Jim Foreman was ordered off by referee Henry Albert for obstructing a player.
Wynnum was aided in the second half by a 12-7 majority in the scrums by Cedric Poole and overall won possession 17-15. Valleys outstanding player was five-eighth Mick Retchless, who managed the backs particularly well. He was closely followed in ability by centre Jim Lingard who was as always one of Valley’s most dangerous attackers.
Wynnum Manly five-eighth Ivor Birrell, did some silly thing early, but made up for it in the closing stages, when he sent the Wynnum Manly attacking flying with sharp and at times clever manoevring. Wynnum Manly second rower Max Backwell was the pick of the forwards, with Don Lind the best for Valleys. Valleys champion goal kicker Norm Pope had a bad day with the boot, kicking four goals from thirteen attempts, although he missed many times by only a few inches.
Scorers: Valleys 14 (R.Gilbank, M.Retchless tries, N.Pope 4 goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 8 (L.Morgan 4 goals).
Round 21 – 01/9/63
Norths 22 d Wynnum Manly 11 (Langlands Park)
Norths won a fighting, incident packed Rugby League match against Wynnum Manly at Langlands Park yesterday. The premiers won 22-11 after scoring six tries to one. During the match two players, Wynnum coach, Ray Paulsen playing his first match of the season and Norths replacement fullback Kev Weedon were sent off by referee Don Lancashire. Norths second rower Johnny Bates was flattened by a stiff arm tackle, 25 minutes into the second half and while he was treated, referee Lancashire stopped Norths captain, Bill Pearson and halfback Jim Hannam from talking to coach Bob Bax, who had come onto the sideline. The match ended in a flurry of punches between forwards, with Wynnum Manly second rower Maurice Backwell one of the soundest and hardest workers.
Johnny Bates had a bright attacking game and set up a nice try for Howard Whitaker. Determined running and fine positional play made Whitaker the star of Norths. Centre Henry Hegarty had a good match, although he sometimes ran too far with the ball.
Scorers: Norths 22 (R.Cattanach, H.Whitaker, R.Cook, J.Hannam, J.Bates, I.Massie tries, R.Cook 2 goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 11 (L.Morgan try, 4 goals).
Match Reports Source: Michael Higginson (BRL Historian)
