AUGUST 1967
The class of former Test halfback, Barry Muir wasn’t enough to get Wests the two competition points in their crucial Brisbane Rugby League clash with Norths at Lang Park. Wests put up a great first half battle, and thanks to clever play by Muir and young centre, John Rhodes, the Panthers led 3-2 at the interval.
But Peter Lobegeiger inspired a second half onslaught by Norths, with the State fullback finishing with 15 points from a try; five goals and a field goal in the Devils’ 27-6 win.
Norths’ forwards, headed by lock, Bob Duncan and skipper, Les Geeves, produced periods of concerted attack which wore down their rivals, who were best served by prop, John McDonald and second rower, George Diggles.
The Courier-Mail’s Jack Reardon had this to say about Muir’s performance. “He bamboozled Norths’ defence with a well disguised flick pass, from which his team gained 50 yards. Then, with his skill and experience (from 25 Tests) shining out, delayed a pass just enough to confuse Norths’ defence again, and enable Rhodes to find a gap. Then Muir whipped the pass to Rhodes, for a try.”
The score blew out at the end when Norths’ winger, Fonda Metassa scored a try after the final hooter. The loss meant Wests could not make the semi-finals.
Brothers scored an impressive 34-13 win over Wynnum-Manly at Corbett Park, Grange, with Test prop, Peter Gallagher leading the way, while Noel Cavanagh landed eight goals from 10 shots, most of them from long, difficult angles.
Brothers’ Test five eighth, Johnny Gleeson was well contained by Bill McDermott, but while Gleeson was kept quiet, two other backs, Eric Gelling and Barry ‘Tubby’ Dowling, ran riot. Best of the Wynnum pack were second rower, Brian Hatch and hooker, Bob Green.
Redcliffe scored six tries to one in a 28-11 win over Souths at the Redcliffe Showgrounds, after leading only 8-4 at halftime, with Souths’ fullback, Tony Scott scoring a scintillating try, to give Magpies’ fans hope.
But in the second half, Redcliffe captain-coach, John Treeby led his forwards in deep, pounding runs through the rucks. Second rower, Angie Day, scored a try and was the best player on the field. The most spectacular try was scored by Redcliffe fullback, Danny Marney, who was brilliantly set-up by winger, Jim Cherry, after he made the opening with a withering run. Five eighth, Rohan Gaylard, a fine defender, was prominent in breaking Souths’ line.
Des Mannion’s boot kept Valleys at the top of the BRL Premiership ladder, with Mannion landing the winning points in the Diehards’ 9-7 win over Easts in the Saturday Lang Park match. Mannion kicked three goals, while Easts’ replacement fullback, Gary Glover landed two.
Valleys’ fullback, Errol Stock was never flustered under pressure; always beat the first tackler and frequently beat three or four, as well as defending securely.
In other news of the day: Former Australian forward, John Cleary was suspended from club football by the QRL, because Estates in Townsville had not paid his transfer fee in full. But protests by the Burdekin and Herbert River Leagues against his participation for Townsville in (representative) Foley Shield matches, were dismissed.
Cleary, a former rugby union player from Toowoomba, toured Britain and France with the Kangaroos in 1963-64, chosen from the Ipswich club competition. He played for Souths in Townsville in 1966, but then transferred to Estates. Souths put a $2,000 transfer fee on his head. This was reduced by the North Qld League to $250. Souths then appealed to the QRL, who increased the fee to $800.
In Auckland, the North Queensland under-15 representative side opened their tour of New Zealand with an 11-all draw with club side, Mt Wellington.
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