Wynnum Manly prop Ray Duncan was the best on ground for the Seagulls in their Presidents Cup win
Wynnum-Manly did it the hard way, when they held out a determined Redcliffe 17-10 in the Woolies Trophy Final at Lang Park. Having both hooker Bob Jones and prop-forward Terry Webb dismissed for high tackles, the 11-man Dolphins side fired on all cylinders and nearly pulled off the upset of the century. However, it wasn’t to be and the Seagulls took home their first piece of silverware since 1959.
Two ten-minute spurts at the start of each half was enough to get Wynnum-Manly over the line, but it was most unconvincing. Winger Terry Butler swooped on a loose ball to touch down in only the third minute for the Baysiders, before Gene Miles put second-rower Wayne Bullock over after some good lead-up work only 8 minutes later. A Steve Cherry try converted by Steve Bax was the only other score of the half. But importantly, Jones’ dismissal came after 30 minutes. Seagulls half Terry Saunders then cleverly scooted from the base of a scrum soon after the break, before David Green burrowed his way over for a soft try following a quick tap only three minutes later.
When Webb was sent in the 58th minute, all would normally seem lost for Redcliffe. However, an inspired 11-man Dolphins side lifted a gear, and began to dominate most facets of play. They were rewarded when Steve Bax sliced through to score, and reduce the deficit to two points. The match remained on a knife-edge until burly Seagulls prop Ray Duncan barged over from short range to put the game beyond doubt. Duncan was the player of the match with outstanding defence and always caused Redcliffe issues in attack.
Arthur Beetson was the best player on the ground, giving it all and leading his struggling Dolphins from the front, and his massive hit on Ray Duncan during the second half will no doubt go down as one of the best of the year.
Scorers: Wynnum Manly 17 (Butler, Saunders, Green, Bullock, Duncan tries; Scott goal) defeated Redcliffe 10 (S.Bax, S.Cherry tries, Bax 2 goals).
1981 Wynnum Manly First Grade Rugby League Team – President Cup Winners
Back Row: Brian Walsh, Peter Sibley, David Green, Terry Butler, Gary Seaton.
Middle Row: Terry Saunders, Ian French, Mark Zillman, Colin Scott, Wayne Bullock, Gene Miles, Brett French.
Front Row: John Callus, Ray Duncan, Des Morris (Captain/Coach), Tony Kambouris, Neil Moy.
Story Source: Mike Higgison – BRL Historian
Photo Source: Wynnum Manly Rugby League Football Club
