TAMED THE TIGERS IN THE GRAND FINAL
Wynnum Manly captain Gavin Clapham carried off the field holding the Premiership Cup aloft, as team mates celebrate the win at Lang Park on Sunday
The Wynnum Manly Rugby League Third Graders retained their premiership title last Sunday at Lang Park, when they convincingly beat Easts 20 points to 7.
The Seagulls only led by 9-4 at halftime, but completely dominated play in the second half to score 11 points to three.
The Tigers kicked off to commence the match and tried to keep play inside the Seagulls half, but to no avail, as Alan Crausaz split the Easts defence in the second minute to run 30 metres and put Wynnum right on the attack.
Three minutes later Wynnum opened the scoring when Gavin Claypham raised the flags with a penalty goal after Easts had been caught offside.
The Seagulls went to a lead of 4-nil in the 12th minute of play when Easts had been penalised for a scrum breach.
The Tigers opened their account eight minutes later with a penalty goal, after the Seagulls had made a mistake of kicking the ball out on the full from a 22 metre drop out. The Tigers tied up the game in the 28th minute with a penalty goal for the Seagulls being offside.
Just before halftime Wynnum took the lead when Gavin Claypham brilliantly split the Easts defence to run 18 metres to score beside the posts. The conversion was successful and Wynnum went off leading 9-4 at the half time break.
DANGEROUS
The seagulls kicked off to commence the second half and looked dangerous when Gary Peerless split the defence with a good strong run two minutes later. From the play the ball Easts were penalised for being inside the five metres and Gavin Claypham put Wynnum two more points in the lead with a penalty goal.
The Tigers came within striking distance six minutes later with a backline try to Easts winger Mark Feuerriegel.
The Seagulls were hanging on to a four-point lead at this stage, but three minutes later sealed the game when Alan Crausaz put Gary Peerless in beside the posts.
Then came some great defence from both sides which was only broken a few times. In the 51st minute David Green went over but was held up and could not ground the ball. Three minutes later the Wynnum backline could not quite finish off a movement after a good long raid.
Only four more points were put on the board and they went to the Seagulls, for them to run out premiers for 1976, by 20 points to 7.
The Seagulls captain Gavin Claypham kicked seven goals from eight attempts and scored a good try. Prop forward Kev Dale had his best game and got through plenty of work.
The two halves, Gavin Claypham and Gary Peerless, gave good service to their two centres, Doug Newman and Greg Fahey, who had Easts in trouble on numerous occasions.
A special round of praise must go to coach Barry Thorne who guided them to their title. Overall a good premiership win and they proved they are the super ‘C’ gulls.
Scrums went Wynnum’s way11-6, while penalties favoured Easts 11-10.
Scorers: Wynnum Manly 20 (G.Claypham, G.Peerless tries, Claypham 7 goals) defeated Easts 7 (M.Feuerriegel try, T.Bishop 2 goals)
1976 Wynnum Manly Third Grade Rugby League Team – Premiers
Back Row: Lew Doyle (Manager), Bruce Yeo, Jeff Phillips, Ray Nunn, David Green, Kevin Miller (Assistant Manager).
Second Row: Doug Newman, Ian Yeo, Mal Predl, Graham Otago, David Franklin, Ian Dawson, Billy Jones.
Front Row: Barry Thorne (Coach), Kevin Dale, Richard Jones, Gavin Claypham (Captain), Alan Crausaz, Alan McGregor, Jeff Mullins (President).
Seated: Gary Taylor, Gary Peerless, Greg Fahey.
Story Source: The Wynnum Herald September 1976
Photo Source: The Wynnum Herald (Group Photo) and Wynnum Manly Rugby League Football Club (Team Photo)
