DECEMBER 1987
Rugby League in England made headlines around the nation for all the wrong reasons, after a brawling match between York and Dewsbury at York.
Not only were a total of five players sent off by referee, Alan Burke, but York director, Albert Bond took it on himself to take to the field to make his feelings known to the ref. Bond also got his marching orders, and was later banned from any involvement with the code for 12 months. He resigned from the board later in the month.
Four of the players were sent off following an all-in-brawl. They were Stuart Horton and St John Ellis (York); Stuart Morris and Paul Shuttleworth (Dewsbury). (Ellis was an inaugural South Queensland Crushers’ signing in 1995). The other player sent off was Steve Hinchcliffe from Dewsbury.
In other news of the time, Wigan won a High Court battle to sign New Zealand Test forward, Adrian Shelford, while English forward, Tim Wilby returned to Hull, after four years playing in the French competition.
Former Test lock, Mal Reilly had been confirmed as coach of the Great Britain side to tour Australia in 1988, with the highlight to be the 100th Anglo-Australia Test in Sydney. English Rugby League’s Public Relations Officer, David Howes was appointed business manager for the tour.
Great Britain were scheduled to play Tests against France, in Avignon on January 24, 1988 and at Headingley on February 6, with New Zealander, Neville Kesha appointed referee.
A Rugby League Chairman’s XIII, coached by Reilly and captained by Leeds’ prop, Lee Crooks, had beaten the Auckland touring side 12-6 on November 10, 1987, at Headingley, with Crooks and opposite number, Peter Brown sent off in the 59th minute, following a fight. Critics lamented the fact that the Chairman’s pacy wingers, Martin Offian and Phil Ford had been starved of the ball.
Most of the players in the Presidents’ XIII were expected to tour Australia, although a number of positions were wide open. Halfback, Shaun Edwards and centre, Ellery Hanley (both from Wigan) were seen as strong contenders for the tour captaincy, with Hanley the favourite.
Great Britain also had won its only (Northern hemisphere) Autumn Test, against Papua New Guinea. The tourists were beaten 42-0 at Central Park, Wigan, with Edwards scoring two tries.
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