The 1976 Wynnum Manly Under 18’s side prepares to take the field in the Grand Final
Wynnum-Manly Under 18 Rugby League side won the 1976 premiership by defeating Brothers St. Marks 11-3. Played at Carina under gusty conditions the win by these boys was full of merit as it is the first time in four meetings they have emerged victors over the side.
From the opening whistle, the game was fast and furious, with no quarter asked or given. The hard, tough tackling in the opening ten minutes resulted in a lot of loose ball and this tackling was to be a feature of Wynnum’s game to the closing stages.
In this torrid opening Richard Fry and Mal Edwards stood tall in the forwards, with Larry Adler particularly severe on his opposite number in the backs. The result of these crushing tackles soon had St. Marks watching the man not the ball. Wynnum finally cracked the rock like defence when Denis Christensen scored a good try and converted it.
The halftime score was Wynnum Manly 5 leading St. Marks nil. The resumption of the second half produced some of the best football witnessed by this scribe for a long time. Five minutes into this half Steve Telyard scored a fine try, to make the scores Wynnum Manly 8, St. Marks nil.
Mal Edwards receives the Man of the Match Award
The pace was really hot now, with both sides hurling themselves into the fray. Billy Young and Geoff Gronvold, Wynnum’s second-rowers, combined well in this period with strong hard running. There was a feast of hard football until 10 minutes from time, when Brothers St. Marks scored a good try. Almost immediately, Wynnum retaliated when Cliff Mallett scored a fine try wide out after a long pass from Larry Adler, making the final score Wynnum Manly 11 defeated Brothers St. Marks 3.
The whole team really fired at the right time, there were no shiners, just a team of players who all did what was asked of them to perfection. Mal (The Atom) Edwards had another blinder and was named Man of the Match by Carina officials. Special mention must be made of Mick Fowler, who captained the side extremely well, as well as playing brilliant football.
The team was as follows: Backs: Mick Fowler (Captain), Cliff Mallett, Larry Adler, Steve Telyard, Mal Clark, Wayne Eadie, Tony Horne, Denis Christensen and Allan Mohle (out injured). Forwards: Richard Fry, Mal Edwards, George Georgiou, Billy Young, Geoff Gronvold, David White, Mick Weston, Daryl Baker and Neville Slapp. Coach Mick Lockhart and Manager Roy Store thank the team and supporters for making the year a most successful one.
1976 Wynnum Manly Rugby League Under 18’s – Premiers
Back Row: Cliff Mallett, Daryl Baker, Neville Slapp, Richard Fry, Wayne Eadie, Micheal Weston.
Third Row: Tony Horne, Allan Mohle, Denis Christensen, Jeff Gronvold, Dale White.
Second Row: Roy Store (Trainer), Bill Young, Michael Fowler, Malcolm Clark, Mick Lochardt (Coach).
Front Row: Larry Alder, Mel Edwards, George Georgiou, Steve Telyard.
