AUGUST 1958

Australian captain-coach, Brian Davies scored a try and kicked four goals in Brothers’ 23-11 win over Easts at Lang Park in a Brisbane Rugby League fixture. With Davies at the helm, Australian had been beaten 2-1 in the Test series against Great Britain earlier that year.

In the inter-city Bulimba Cup competition, Davies captained Brisbane, but the coach was the team’s Test fullback, Norm Pope.

The win over Easts was hard fought and meritorious, especially as Brothers started without representative forward, Peter Gallagher, who was in bed with the mumps. State lock, Barry O’Connor was outstanding for Brothers and won The Courier-Mail two pounds bonus.

Lock, Joe Baker was Easts’ best player and was given strong support by second rower, Steele Davis.

Wynnum-Manly’s speedy backs, Bobby Cook and Keith Brown carved up Norths as the baysiders cruised to a 39-18 win at Davies Park, West End.

In a torrid game at Oxenham Park, Nundah, Valleys beat Souths 25-17 with referee, Col Wright issuing five cautions for rough play. Valleys’ centre, Mick Mulgrew found holes in Souths’ defence to score two tries, and also cleverly engineered two tries for his winger, Stan Hick. Souths’ substitute fullback, Tom Kelly gave a stout display in defence, stopping four certain tries.

Photo: Brian Davies (centre) in action for Australia against New Zealand in the 1954 World Cup in France.