A very happy Wynnum Manly dressing room after winning the Winfield State League Final
Wynnum Manly closed the chapter on Souths’ unbeaten run with a magnificent display of defence to win the Winfield State League final at Lang Park last night. Wynnum took out the final with a 21-10 win over the Magpies, who had won their 13 previous matches and had not had their line crossed in the previous four matches.
It was a victory thoroughly deserved but which could have fallen through if the defence had not put up such a magnificent display.
Souths came so very near, turning the tables with two amazingly simple tries from bombs to get to a win situation with Wynnum-Manly leading 16-10 until the last five minutes.
Souths made many smashing raids on the Wynnum-Manly line at the stage but could not penetrate. There were some classic displays from Wynnum’s players, particularly giant centre Gene Miles, five-eighth Wally Lewis and all the forwards.
It was without a doubt the best defensive display of the season and it needed to be because Souths – and all credit to them and coach Wayne Bennett – at no stage went into their shells.
They threw the ball about at every opportunity and there as some scintillating attack from centre Peter Jackson, fullback Gary Belcher, winger Phil Veivers and forwards Bob Lindner, Bob Kellaway and Eddie Muller.
Wynnum’s try in the 15th minute – which came from an excellent extra man move by fullback Colin Scott and a quick short pass to Miles who scored – was a classic piece of football.
Souths replied in the 31st minute from what started as an ordinary up and under from Veivers. He was caught in an impossible position on the grandstand side after a long pass went astray so he simply booted the ball in-field.
The bounce went forward, with Belcher streaming on to it to carry wrong-footed defenders over the try line. It was a try against the run of play, but it was vital four points.
Miles set the stage for a shock 16-4 three-quarter time lead with a pile driving try from dummy half in the 49th minute.
Although Wynnum had some desperate moments late in the third quarter when Souths hammered at their line, the hounors again went to the Seagulls for their brilliant defensive efforts. There was not a man that let the team down.
Scorers: Wynnum Manly 21 (G.Miles 2, D.Green tries, W.Green 4 goals, W Lewis field goal) defeated Souths 10 (G Belcher 2 tries, M.Meninga goal).
Brett French, Greg Dowling, Colin Scott, Gene Miles and Wally Lewis after their 21-10 win in the State League Final against Souths.
Story Source: The Wynnum Herald, May 1984.
Photo Sources: Wynnum Manly Rugby League Football Club
