1979 The Year that was!

 

Round 1 – 25/3/79

Souths 23 d W/Manly 8 (Lang Park)

In the Sunday Lang Park match, two tries to Mal Meninga and dominant forward play paved the way for Souths to toss Wynnum-Manly 23-8, in a five tries to nil rout.  Four first-half penalties to Graham Leo, all for player indiscretions, saw the Seagulls lead 8-5 at the break.

The Magpies points came from Meninga’s first try after a 60-metre break by Bruce Astill and winger Mick Gramm.  Meninga’s second try 19 minutes after the break sealed the Baysiders’ fate, when he broke two would-be tackles and skirted the touch line in a sizzling 55-metre effort. He also made the initial break for Gramm’s try 3 minutes later, and was involved with Gramm for Astill’s try 7 minutes after that. Mal Connell, Greg Veivers, Dave Brown and Bob Kellaway were standouts in the engine room and Bracken and Meninga in the backs for the Magpies, while Seagulls prop Ray ‘Tank’ Duncan played well until forced from the field with a head injury.

Five-eighth Graham Leo also tried hard for the Seagulls.  Souths coach Wayne Bennett said after the match “Sure the backs did most of the scoring but the forwards did the work which gave the backline room to move”.

Seagulls coach Henry Holloway said he was aware of Wynnum’s shortcomings but would be working on cutting down the mistake rate. In lower grades, it was Wynnum-Manly who clipped the wings of the Magpies winning 14-7 in reserves and drawing 19-all in thirds.

Scorers: Souths 23 (M.Meninga 2, B.Astill, M.Gramm, D.Gould tries, M.Meninga 2, S.Glynn 2 goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 8 (G.Leo 4 goals)

 

Round 2 – 31/3/79

F/Valley 30 d W/Manly 8 (Lang Park)

Valleys avenged their pre-season defeat at the hands of Wynnum-Manly when they annihilated the Seagulls 30-8 in the Saturday match at Lang Park. However, the major talking point of the match was the poor crowd attendance, a Saturday pattern which has emerged during the past two seasons.

Scoring 6 tries to two in the rout, the Diehards established their superiority after only 20 minutes, by which time they had skipped away to a commanding 13-0 lead. From start to finish the match was dominated by Valleys pivot combination of half Ross Strudwick, five-eighth Peter McWhirter, and young lock Wally Lewis.  Also scoring a try, Diehards centre Mick Neill landed 6 goals from 8 attempts to bring his season total to 23 points in two matches.  Other standouts for the boys in royal blue were fullback Alan Mills, centre Gerry Fitzpatrick, hooker Paul Richards, and tough prop Al McInnes.

Too many fundamental errors prevented the Seagulls from ever launching major offensives into Valleys territory, and coach Henry Holloway appears to have a lot of work ahead of him if the Baysiders are to give the premiership a shake this season.  Best for the Seagulls were block-busting prop Ray ‘Tank’ Duncan, and Ian Boustead who scored a fine try in broken play.  The Diehards also won third grade by 15-7, but reserves was taken by Wynnum-Manly 14-13 in a tough encounter.

Scorers: Valleys 30 (R.Strudwick 2, I.Sommer, M.Neill, M.Svenson, W.Lewis tries, M.Neill 6 goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 8 (R.Duncan, I. Boustead tries, B.Patterson goal)

 

Round 3 – 8/4/79

Easts 34 d W/Manly 10 (Lang Park)

Reigning premiers Easts went on a scoring frenzy in the main Lang Park match, when they tore Wynnum-Manly apart 34-10.  The Seagulls gave a credible performance, holding the Tigers to 13-10 midway through the second half.  However, three tries in four minutes to a bulldozing Shane McNally, and sizzling efforts to wingers Steve Stacey and Brad Backer blew the match, and the Seagulls apart.

A hammering in scrums 15-7, and a woeful turnover rate cost the Baysiders dearly, as they weren’t able to maintain any attacking pressure. Seagulls coach, Henry Holloway was clearly not happy with Eddie Ward’s refereeing, but this was not the reason the Seagulls lost. Best for the Tigers were Des Morris, Greg Holben, Errol Slingsby, Bob Arnold, and man-of-the-match John Lang. Best for Wynnum-Manly were centre Ian Boustead and lock Bruce Kingston. Easts also won reserves 27-15, but the Seagulls got up in thirds 28-10.

Scorers: Easts 34 (M.Payne 2, F.Roddy, S.Stacey, B.Backer, W.Lindenburg, E.Slingsby, S.McNally tries, J.McDonald 5 goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 10 (I.Boustead, B.Walsh tries, B.Patterson 2 goals)

 

Round 4 -16/4/79

W/Manly 26 d Redcliffe 5 (Lang Park)

A makeshift Wynnum-Manly outfit proved the surprise packet of the weekend, when they ambushed Redcliffe 26-5 in the Monday match at Lang Park. Losing state backs Ian Boustead and Steve Crear before the match, and given the Dolphins had five state players, the Seagulls enthusiasm, along with their second rower Lester Young, registered a shattering six tries to one victory.

Fortunately for the Dolphins, the Seagulls goalkicker Bob Patterson had an ordinary day with the boot, landing only three goals from seven attempts.  However, Patterson and Young were clearly the Baysiders’ best players, and they were given terrific support by lock Bruce Kingston, halves Brian Walsh and Graham Leo, new hooker David Green and props Ray Duncan and Rod McDougall.

The majority of the match was spent well inside Redcliffe’s territory, with the result never really in doubt from about the 20 minute mark.  Seagulls tries were scored by Leo, Walsh, Kingston, Green, Terry Wesche and Ian French. The Redcliffe players never really fired during the match, although forwards Steve Bullow and John Barber did make a few breaks.  Mercurial fullback Bunny Pearce also scored a fine try for the Dolphins.  In a memorable day for the Seagulls, they also won reserves 12-10, and thirds 12-9.

Scorers: Wynnum Manly 26 (G.Leo, B.Kingston, D.Green, I.French, T.Wesche, B.Walsh tries, B.Patterson 3, G.Leo goals) defeated Redcliffe 5 (I.Pearce try, goal)

 

Round 5 – 25/4/79

Norths 27 d W/Manly 5 (Lang Park)

In a sensational Wednesday match at headquarters, both Wynnum-Manly and Norths finished a man short in the Devils 27-5 victory.

Referee Bill McKenny sent off Seagulls prop Ray Duncan after 29 minutes for violent conduct in an incident off the ball, and Norths half Ross Henrick in the 72nd minute for use of an elbow, both on touch judge reports.

The Devils had established a 10-0 lead when Duncan was dismissed, and were in control of the match for its entirety. Spearheads of the win were fullback and Brisbane representative Peter Dutton, and 19yo five-eighth Mark Murray whose attack and punishing defence was second to none. Coach Graham Lowe was pleased with the way Norths limited their errors, and set up their well-drilled moves.  The Seagulls never really stood a chance after Duncan was sent off in the first half of the game, he had been holding the middle together for Wynnum in the first 5 rounds of the season.

It was much happier for the Baysiders in the lower grades, where they blitzed Norths 35-14 in C grade and stormed home 22-20 in reserve grade. 

Scorers: Norths 27 () defeated Wynnum Manly 5.

 

Round 6 – 29/4/79

P/Brothers 24 d W/Manly 13 (Kougari Oval)

A large pro-bayside crowd left Kougari Oval very disappointed after Brothers swamped the home side 24-13 in a dour match riddled with mistakes.

Star of the match was Brothers centre Kerry Fraser, who scored the first try of the match and set up three others for wingers Rex Jorgensen and Rob Puodziunas, and fullback Andrew McDonald.

The three tries all came in a nine-minute period during the second half, and effectively ended the Seagulls winning hopes. Other tries for the Brethren were scored by second rowers Noel Russell and Greg Quinn, with Terry Butler kicking 3 goals.  Quinn’s try was sensational in that he ran a kick-off 60 metres directly back upfield to score.

Wynnum-Manly scored two barging tries by Rod McDougall and David Green, with centre Ian French scoring after a weaving 30 metre run. Brothers halves of Butler and Graham Herlihy were much sharper than their Wynnum counterparts, with Russell, Quinn and Bob Cock dominant in the forwards.

Ian French was the Seagulls best back, although he had few opportunities. In the forwards, Doug Slater made several breaks, but continually found himself with no support. In a top of the table clash in third grade, the Seagulls took the points 19-8, while Brothers won reserve grade 12-8. 

Scorers: Brothers 24 (K.Fraser, N.Russell, R.Jorgensen, R.Puodziunas, A,McDonald, G.Quinn tries, T.Butler 3 goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 13 (I.French, R.McDougall, D.Green tries, B.Patterson 2 goals)

 

Round 7 – 6/5/79

W/Manly 21 d Wests 11 (Kougari Oval)

Cellar-dwellars Wynnum-Manly put it all together for the upset of the season, when they played near perfect football to stun Wests 21-11 at Kougari Oval. The vocal Seagulls crowd was enthralled by a match their side dominated throughout, scoring five tries to three. It was another disappointing display by the Panthers, with a number of their representative Amco Cup players looking fatigued and out of sorts.

Terrific forward play by Ray Duncan, Doug Slater, Bruce Kingston, and Vince Raleigh, laid the foundations for half Brian Walsh to set up three of their tries. However, it was 18yo Ian French who starred, simply tackling himself to a standstill. Wayne Bullock and Col O’Brien both scored tries following spilt Walsh ‘bombs’, and winger Terry Wesche won a sprint to score off a Walsh grubber kick. Kingston and Duncan also scored, both with typical barging forward runs.

For Wests, winger Peter McDonald, half Pat McGuire, and centre Mick Moore scored tries. The Seagulls kept on their winning way in third grade, defeating Wests 9-3, but the Panthers took reserves 18-12.

Scorers: Wynnum Manly 21 (W.Bullock, B.Kingston, R.Duncan, T.Wesche, C.O’Brien tries, G.Fahey 3 goals) defeated Wests 11 (P.McDonald, P.McGuire, M.Moore tries, P.Eastwell goal).

 

Round 8 – 20/5/79

Souths 15 d W/Manly 12 (Lang Park)

In the main Sunday match, Eddie Ward earned the ire of the Wynnum-Manly club, after Souths held on to down the Seagulls 15-12 at Lang Park.  Seagulls president Arthur Lovell said after the match that the club would protest to the BRL about the referee’s scrum rulings and general inconsistencies.

Without their three state players Mal Meninga, Bruce Astill and Dave Brown, and three other regulars out injured, the Magpies could consider themselves lucky to take out the match. Mick Gramm and Carlo Costa scored for Souths in a tough first-half which saw the Magpies lead 8-4 at the break.  The Baysiders enjoyed a glut of possession late in the first stanza, but poor options and lack of imagination cost them dearly, with Souths forwards easily shutting down their attack.  A disallowed ‘dive-over’ try by Wynnum’s Bruce Kingston just before the break, did nothing to enhance the Seagulls view of the referee.

Three minutes into the second stanza, Wynnum’s Bob Patterson scored off a Steve Crear bomb, and with his own conversion the Seagulls took the lead. It was shortlived though, with Magpie winger Gary Thompson brilliantly retrieving his own kick to score and return Souths to the lead. Seagulls lock Ian French, then charged down a Chris Thorley clearing kick, regathering to score in the 53rd minute.  Souths led 13-12 at that stage, and only a superb defensive effort in the last 15 minutes saw them take the points. It was all-but for the Seagulls, having taken out third grade 15-10, and reserve grade 17-3.

Scorers: Souths 15 (M.Gramm, C.Costa, G.Thompson tries, P.Ryan 3 goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 12 (B.Patterson, I.French tries, Patterson 3 goals)

 

Round 9 – 27/5/79

F/Valley 38 d W/Manly 19 (Neumann Oval)

At Neumann Oval, Valleys re-affirmed their short-priced favouritism in the 1979 premiership, with a sharp 38-19 whipping  of a plucky Wynnum-Manly. In a highly entertaining match, the Diehards scored eight tries to five, even with a 13-3 scrum deficit against them.

Sensational performances by centre Chris Close with two tries from unbelievable stepping and changes of pace, prop Tom Duggan who crossed for three tries and set up one of those for Close, and young lock Wally Lewis whose tackling performance under such trying circumstances was way above his years, must have impressed the three state selectors who were present at the match.  Another six goals by Diehards makeshift five-eighth Mick Neill saw his season points tally pass the century, while Lewis and winger Marc Svenson jointly lead the competition tryscoring. Flying winger Svenson, half Ross Strudwick and hooker Paul Richards also scored for Valleys in a team performance that can only be described as ominous for other teams.

Three sizzling tries to Seagulls winger Terry Wesche was Wynnum-Manly’s biggest highlight for the afternoon, with Seagulls hardman and prop Ray “Tank” Duncan and half Brian Walsh also crossing for a try each. Greg Fahey and Bob Patterson also landed goals for the Seagulls. The only joy for the Baysiders came in the form of third grade when they won 21-10, with reserves being taken out by the Diehards 23-12.

Scorers: Valleys 38 (T.Duggan 3, C.Close 2, M.Svenson, R.Strudwick, P.Richards tries, M.Neill 7 goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 19 (T.Wesche 3, R.Duncan, B.Walsh tries, G.Fahey, B.Patterson goals)

 

Round 10 – 3/6/79

Easts 25 d W/Manly 8 (Langlands Park)

In front of a massive Langlands Park crowd, reigning premiers Easts recorded an unimpressive 25-8 victory over a Seagulls outfit which played a man short for all but three minutes.  Debutante referee Jim Ward gave Wynnum-Manly second-rower Lester Young his marching orders in the 3rd minute, after he appeared to flatten Tigers rugged five-eighth Greg Holben, when he put up a high up-and-under. After young’s dismissal, the match degenerated with Ward issuing 39 penalties – 19 of which resulted from scrums. With so many penalties coupled with 17 scrums, neither side was able to settle into any pattern of attack.

The match drew such poor interest at times, that most of the crowd’s attention centred on a brawl which erupted in the enclosed refreshment area, then another between two youths on the roof of an adjoining shed, until police arrived to break up the trouble. Even a man down, the Seagulls opened the scoring when winger Terry Wesche dived over in the corner after ten minutes.

Easts responded immediately when Bob Arnold crashed over from a John Lang pass.  Four minutes later, Des Morris crossed after receiving a terrific pass from Holben. In the 30th minute, centre Jeff McDonald then scored after backing up a terrific break by rookie lock Jim Foreman.  Being down 17-3 at the break, the Seagulls were never going to reel in the Tigers, although they held Easts to 8-5 in the second stanza.  Easts second-half tries were scored by Frank Roddy and Holben, with prop Shane McNally adding five goals from six attempts.  The Baysiders’ other try was scored by winger Harry Minz, with fullback Bruce Yeo landing the conversion.  In a clean sweep for the Tigers at home, they also won reserves 23-16, and a brawling thirds encounter 13-12.

Scorers: Easts 25 (B.Arnold, D.Morris, j.McDonald, G.Holben, F.Roddy tries, S.McNally 5 goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 8 (T.Wesche, H.Minz tries, B.Yeo goal)

 

Round 11 – 10/6/79

Redcliffe 11 d W/Manly 8 (Kougari Oval)

At Kougari Oval, Redcliffe climbed off the bottom of the ladder when they scratched out an ugly 11-8 result over Wynnum-Manly.  In a match marred by scrappy handling and scrum penalties, the Dolphins can thank the boot of John Barber for the win, with radar-like kicking of penalty goals and long range territorial kicking continually driving the Seagulls back towards their own line.

The Seagulls took an early lead with a Bob Patterson penalty goal, before a Bunny Pearce equalizer eight minutes later, following a highly-unusual missed three attempts.  The Dolphins only try came after 22 minutes when Kev Cash crashed over in the corner after second-rower Terry Webb drew the defence 15 metres out.  The Seagulls drew level three minutes later when prop Ray Duncan ran the blind side to send winger Terry Wesche crashing over in the corner.  A Barber penalty goal from halfway in the 33rd minute, followed by another two minutes later, left the Dolphins up 9-5 at the break.

Dropped balls broke down two try scoring opportunities for Redcliffe after the break, with the next points being another penalty goal in the 60th minute.  Four minutes later, Seagulls centre Wayne Bullock deftly chipped ahead for replacement Brian Walsh to gather up the loose ball and dive over.  Steve Crear missed the conversion, and Redcliffe held onto their lead with Wynnum-Manly pounding their line for the last five minutes. The reserve grade ended in a 17-all draw, with third grade won by the Seagulls 38-5.

Scorers: Redcliffe 11 (K.Cash try, J.Barber 3, I Pearce goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 8 (T.Wesche, B.Walsh tries, B.Patterson goal)

 

Round 12 – 17/6/79

Norths 38 d W/Manly 7 (Bishop Park)

At Bishop Park, Norths produced outstanding attacking football to soundly wallop Wynnum-Manly 38-7.  Norths winger Gary Warnock, registered 17 points from seven superb conversions from all over the field, and a smart individual try.  Crossing for eight tries overall, the Devils demoralized their opponents throughout the match, and have now won three games on the trot and look to be one of the form sides of the competition.

In a stunning performance where they swamped the Seagulls in all departments, Mark Murray (twice), Bevan Baptiste, Shane Bernardin, Peter Dutton, Nev Draper, Gary Walker, and Warnock all crossed for tries.  Although Wynnum-Manly’s lock Greg Denman scored the first points of the match with a penalty goal after two minutes, the Devils capitalised on every Seagulls mistake to lead 22-2 at the break.  Seagulls half Harry Minz, split the Devils defence to score the baysiders only try just after the break, but they had no answer to the overwhelming Norths forwards for the remainder of the match.

Standouts for the Devils were Mark Murray, centre Ziggy Strasser, and the entire forward pack, namely Nev Draper, Brett Ferguson, Gary Walker, John Payne, Greg Conescu and Shane Bernardin.  Wynnum-Manly took the honours in both lower grade matches, 15-10 in reserves and 26-11 in thirds.

Scorers: Norths 38 (M.Murray 2, B.Baptise, G.Warnock, S.Bernardin, P.Dutton, N.Draper, G.Walker tries, Warnock 7 goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 7 (H.Minz try, G.Denman 2 goals)

 

Round 13 – 23/6/79

P/Brothers 18 d W/Manly 11 (Lang Park)

In the Saturday match at Lang Park, Brothers posted a rousing 18-11 win over a luckless Wynnum-Manly to keep the door ajar for their semi-final chances. The butcher-boys had the lions share of first-half possession, but some unbelievably silly passes cost them many scoring opportunities.

The Seagulls led 6-5 at the break, with tries to centre Col O’Brien and winger Harry Minz. In a marvellous defensive performance, the baysiders held Brothers tryless until the 39th minute when Mark Thomas, Greg Quinn, Bligh Davidson and Rod Ziebarth all combined to send fullback Andrew McDonald over for the best try of the match.  Ziebarth then scored himself one minute after the break to put the Brethren in front 8-6.

The Seagulls deceptive fullback Phil Attel stepped and dived over following good work by winger Harry Minz, to restore the Seagulls lead.  Vastly improved handling and two second-half tries to hooker Billy Johnstone gave Brothers the match.  Poor goal-kicking cost Wynnum-Manly dearly, with two attempts rebounding off the upright, and one inexplicably missed from in front, all by Greg Denman.  Ross Claffey landed three from five for Brothers. Wynnum-Manly won both early games however, 14-11 in third grade and 20-5 in reserve grade.

Scorers: Brothers 18 (W.Johnstone 2, R.Zieberth, A.McDonald tries, R.Claffey 3 goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 11 (P.Attell, C.O’Brien, H.Minz, G.Denman goal)

 

Round 14 – 1/7/79

W/Manly 18 d Wests 6 (Lang Park)

In the Saturday match at Lang Park, Wynnum-Manly registered their second upset win of the year over Wests, when they followed coach Henry Holloway’s set game plan and surprisingly took the Panthers on in the forwards, coming up trumps 18-6.  The loss saw Wests kept tryless, slipping out of the four for the first time this season, and coach Don Oxenham was suitably unimpressed.

The Seagulls shrugged off an 11-3 caning in the penalties from referee Bill Kessell, to cross for four splendid tries.  The first came in the 15th minute when a spilt Glen Hoppner bomb was swooped upon by half Greg Denman.  Seven minutes later, former country centre Col O’Brien regathered his own grubber kick in-goal to score.  A conversion by Greg Denman and two penalty goals by Panthers prop Henry Williamson saw the Seagulls lead 8-4 at the break, after Wests had two tries disallowed.

Wests launched all the attack during the early second-half exchanges, until Seagulls fullback Phil Attel scored the try of the match when he broke two tackles and scooted 50 metres to touch down under the posts. 15 minutes later, Wynnum-Manly worked a fantastic scrum base move which saw Terry Wesche race through a big gap on the blind side wing to score. It was sweet revenge for the Seagulls, after losing both early matches, 21-11 in third grade and 18-10 in reserve grade.

Scorers: Wynnum Manly 18 (G.Denman, C.O’Brien, P.Attell, T.Wesche tries, Denman 3 goals) defeated Wests 6 (H.Williamson 3 goals)

 

Round 15 – 8/7/79

Souths 28 d W/Manly 11 (Kougari Oval)

In a six tries to one demolition at Kougari Oval, a sparkling Souths performance snapped a five-game losing streak 28-11, to cement the Magpies in third spot on the table.

Magpies critics have said they have not been functioning well in the forwards since losing skipper Greg Veivers for the season. But prop Bob Kellaway silenced those critics when he launched a one-man demolition of the Seagulls pack. Wynnum-Manly coach Henry Holloway was forced to replace both Glen Hoppner and Bruce Kingston in the first five minutes, after they were injured by Kellaway’s front-on surges through the Baysiders pack.

18-year-old centre Mal Meninga showed great maturity following appearances for Brisbane and Queensland, continually punching holes through the Seagulls defence. He magnificently set up at least three tries, as well as a number of long breaks and landing five goals. Wingers Gary Thompson and Mick Gramm, replacement John Salter, five-eighth Alan Brackin, fullback Steve Glynn, and half Billy Argeros – all backs – crossed for tries on the back of dominant forward play led by Kellaway.

For the Seagulls, five-eighth Brian Walsh scored their only try, with Greg Denman kicking four terrific goals. Both lower grade matches finished in upsets, with the Magpies winning third grade 16-8, and the Seagulls taking reserve grade 16-13 in a rough-house affair.

Scorers: Souths 28 (J.Salter, G.Thompson, A.Bracken, S.Gylnn. B.Argeros, M.Gramm tries, M.Meninga 5 goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 11 (B.Walsh try, G.Denman 4 goals)

 

Round 16 – 15/7/79

F/Valley 23 d W/Manly 10 (Kougari Oval)

In a spiteful match between top and bottom of the table, Valleys struggled to put away Wynnum-Manly 23-10 in an uninspiring Kougari Oval encounter, which featured a double send-off and heavy forwards exchanges throughout. Diehards skipper-coach Ross Strudwick and firebrand Seagulls prop Ray Duncan were both sent off by referee Bill Kessell for illegal play early in the second half, Strudwick groggily taken off on a stretcher. Strudwick now faces an uphill battle with a fitness test and judiciary hearing to play in the midweek Peter Scott Memorial final against Easts.

The Diehards overcame dogged Wynnum-Manly defence and a lack of possession to post a five tries to two victory against an enthusiastic opposition. Coach Henry Holloway had the Seagulls primed for a big effort, with forwards Darryl Jenner, Lester Young, Ray Duncan, and lightweight hooker Mal Edwards not letting him down – Young scoring the first try of the match near the posts. However, as Valleys’ possession increased, so they also clawed their way back into the match. Centre Vic Weiland was instrumental in setting up tries for hooker Paul Richards and fullback Alan Mills, giving them an 8-5 lead at the break. After the break, Valleys relinquished the lead again when Baysiders winger Phil Bliss scored an impressive try out wide.

Weiland and co-centre Peter McWhirter constantly troubled the Seagulls in the second half, with clever service leading to tries by lock Wally Lewis, winger Mark Svenson and five-eighth Mick Neill. In third grade, Wynnum-Manly won 20-16, while Valleys won a bruising reserve grade 13-4.

Scorers: Valleys 23 (P.Richards, A.Mills, M.Neill, W.Lewis, P.Falvey tries, Neill 4 goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 10 (L.Young, P.Bliss tries, G.Denman 2 goals)

 

Round 17 – 21/7/79

W/Manly 21 d Easts 18 (Lang Park)

Wynnum-Manly pulled off the biggest upset of the season so far, when they out-tackled, out-muscled, and outplayed Easts 21-18 in the Saturday Lang Park match. The Seagulls opened the match brightly, with winger Harry Minz and half Greg Denman both crossing in the first six minutes.

The premiers struck back with slick tries to centres Mark Payne and Bernie Lowther in one five-minute period for an 8-6 lead.  Hooker Mal Edwards then snuck over for what appeared a relatively soft try from dummy half, Denman’s conversion putting the Seagulls out 11-8.  Then three minutes from half time, the shock send-off of Easts five-eighth Greg Holben by referee Harry Dearness for a high shot on Seagulls prop Darryl Jenner put Wynnum-Manly well in the drivers seat.

One minute after the break, fullback Phil Attel stepped through Easts defence for an unchallenged 55-metre run to the line.  Ten minutes later, second-rower Lester Young crashed through to open up a comfortable 19-8 lead.  Easts fought on gamely and were rewarded with tries to winger Brad Backer and replacement half Wayne Lindenberg, leaving them only a point behind.  A late penalty put the Baysiders ahead by three, but it was their rugged tackling which thwarted waves of Easts attack for the last 20 minutes.  For the first time in many years, Wynnum-Manly won the treble over the Eastern Suburbs Tigers, taking third grade 8-0 and reserve grade 24-8.

Scorers: Wynnum Manly 21 (P.Attell, H.Minz, G.Denman, L.Young, M.Edwards tries, G.Denman 3 goals) defeated Easts 18 (B.Lowther, M.Payne, B.Backer, W.Lindenberg tries, S.McNally 3 goals)

 

Round 18 – 29/7/79

Redcliffe 23 d W/Manly 10 (Dolphin Oval)

With the inaugural Bayside Herald Cup up for grabs, Redcliffe recorded a decisive 23-10 win over Wynnum-Manly at Dolphin Oval. Conditions were atrocious throughout the match, with barely a handful of patrons there to witness a great Dolphins victory. Prop Terry Webb barged his way over for the first try of the match after six minutes.

The Seagulls dominated the half with impressive attacking play and great tactical kicking, tries to forwards Graham Goschnick and Darryl Jenner put Wynnum-Manly in the drivers seat 10-3 at the break.  The scoreline could have been greater had the Seagulls played more forwards ruck-play rather than open-style, which was not effective in the conditions.

Under instructions from coach Ron Raper, the Dolphins had fullback Bunny Pearce play as a seventh forward, spending the majority of his time at dummy half. The ploy came up trumps for the home side, with Pearce diving over twice, and throwing the final pass for tries to Tony Obst and a second by Webb. Pearce also landed four goals in a clear man-of-the-match performance.

The Seagulls squandered far too much possession after the break to ever look like going on to win. The experience of Dolphins ‘old hands’ Bunny Pearce, forwards Tony Obst, Ian Thinee and hooker Bob Jones, paved the way for victory. Jones was especially prominent throughout the match. It was a disappointing way for the Seagulls to finish the day, after taking both early games 12-5 and 12-6 in B and C grades respectively.

Scorers: Redcliffe 23 (I.Pearce 2, T.Webb 2, T.Obst tries, I Pearce 4 goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 10 (G.Goschnick, D Jenner tries, G.Denman 2 goals)

 

Round 19 – 5/8/79

W/Manly 24 d Norths 20 (Kougari Oval)

The unpredictable Seagulls put paid to any thoughts Norths had of making the finals, when they held on for a 24-20 result at Kougari Oval. Although Wynnum-Manly led 13-5 when Norths centre Ziggy Strasser was sent off at halftime for flattening Seagulls centre Col O’Brien in backplay, it was the Seagulls who were tiring when Devils captain Mark Murray was also dismissed for use of an elbow on Phil Attel with five minutes remaining, and the score 21-20 to the Baysiders.

Referee Keith Bichel had plenty of verbal abuse hurled at him from Norths supporters for the dismissals, but coach Graham Lowe refused to blame the referee for the loss.  The loss leaves the Devils five points out of the four, but with only two matches remaining.

Three sizzling first-half tries to Ian Boustead, Phil Attel and Col O’Brien put the Seagulls well in control of the match.  However, even when a man down, the second half was all Norths with hard-hitting forward play setting the platform for tries to Greg Walker, Greg Conescu and Ross Henrick.

Along with Bob McNamara’s first-half try, the Devils hit the lead 20-18 late in the game, before Seagulls five-eighth Brian Walsh found his way to Norths line for a second time.  A bustling Wayne Bulloch try with a minute left saw out the win, and also the season for Norths. Wynnum-Manly also won reserve grade convincingly 28-4, with Norths taking third grade 22-10.

Scorers: Wynnum Manly 24 (B.Walsh 2, I.Boustead, P.Attell, C.O’Brien, W.Bulloch tries, G.Denman 2, J.Alexander goals) defeated Norths 20 (B.McNamara, G.Walker, G.Conescu, R.Henrick tries, G.Warnock 4 goals)

 

Round 20 – 12/8/79

W/Manly 22 – P/Brothers 22 (Corbett Park)

At Corbett Park, scores were level on four separate occasions before Brothers and Wynnum-Manly played out an exciting 22-all draw. In a match that lacked somewhat as a spectacle, and should have but didn’t decide the wooden spoon, the swinging nature of the match kept the vocal crowd enthralled for the full 80 minutes.

Brothers led 7-0 with a Noel Russell try before the Seagulls equalled with a Brian Walsh try.  David Sinclair then crossed for the Brethren to skip out 12-7, before the Baysiders levelled at the break when Ian French crashed through.  Wynnum-Manly scored first in the second half through John Alexander to then lead 17-12, before Brothers equalised in the 60th minute with fullback Mick Fitzgerald slicing through.

The Seagulls then scored perhaps the try of the season when Walsh, Phil Attel, Ian Boustead, Col O’Brien and Terry Wesche each handled twice in an 80-metre move, resulting in Wesche scoring beside the posts.  With Brothers on the attack and throwing everything at the Seagulls, Terry Butler magnificently slipped a neat pass to centre Ross Claffey who scored.  There were no disappointing performers in either side, and a draw was probably a fair result.  Earlier games were shared with the Seagulls easy winners in third grade at 27-4, and Brothers taking reserve grade honours 26-14.

Scorers: Wynnum Manly 22 (B.Walsh, I.French, J.Alexander, T.Wesche tries, G.Denman 5 goals) drew with Brothers 22 (N.Russell, D.Sinclair, M.Fitzgerald, R.Claffey tries, Claffey 4, Butler goals)

 

Round 21 – 18/8/79

Wests 25 d W/Manly 10 (Lang Park)

In the Saturday Lang Park match, Wests cruised into the semi-finals with a nonchalant 25-10 whipping of Wynnum-Manly.  20 year old centre Rowan Brennan starred for the Panthers, with numerous clean breaks through the Seagulls defence, and at least three tries emanating from his strong runs. Hooker Gary Prickett also played strongly, scoring two tries, dictating play, and dominating scrums 18-9.

Only for one ten minute period after halftime did the baysiders look capable of pulling off an upset, with Wests leading only 15-10 and dropping plenty of ball inside their own half.   Prickett’s second try put the Panthers back on track for the win, and the semi-finals. Without stars lock Norm Carr and fullback Greg McCarthy, the Panthers lacked drive in attack, and sting in defence, but always appeared to do enough to win.

Ian McGuire, Peter McDonald and Grant Harms scored the other tries for the victors, with prop Henry Williamson making up for last week’s kicking debacle against Easts, by landing five from five.  Ian Boustead and Col O’Brien scored the Seagulls tries, with Greg Denman landing two goals. A 5-all draw in reserve grade sees the Seagulls in a playoff with Brothers, while the Seagulls 21-6 win in third grade gives them the minor premiership and relegates Wests to a playoff against Souths.

Scorers: Wests 25 (G.Prickett 2, G.Harms, P.McDonald, I.McGuire tries, H.Williamson 5 goals) defeated Wynnum Manly 10 (I.Boustead, C.O’Brien Tries, G.Denman 2 goals)

 

Story Sources: Michael Higgison (BRL Historian)

Team Photo Source: Rugby League Week 1979

Match Report Photo Sources: Wynnum Manly Rugby League Football Club