Valleys’ forward, Charlie Frith is attended to by Valleys’ medico, Dr Tom Dooley (right) and a trainer, during the match against Wynnum-Manly at Kougari Oval. Frith’s teammates are (from left) Vic Wieland, Tom Duggan and Peter O’Callaghan
Valleys’ prop, Charlie ‘Hit Man’ Frith was admitted to hospital with head injuries, following a bone-jarring tackle on heavyweight Wynnum-Manly forward, Bernie Ernst, at Kougari Oval, in a Brisbane Rugby League Premiership fixture.
An ambulance vehicle took Frith from the field to the Mater Hospital, where he spent the night. Ernst was assisted from the field with a shoulder injury which was set to sideline him for at least a month.
Roma product, Frith was unconscious on the ground for some time, with concerned teammates looking on helplessly, as the rain came down and club medico, Dr Tom Dooley attended to the stricken forward. Frith had no fear, but his kamikaze style left little margin for error.
Wynnum won the match 10-3, with former Kiwi Test prop, Robert Orchard and former Brothers’ forward, Lester Young scoring tries, while Orchard kicked two goals. Halfback Greg Denman was the best player for the victors.
Souths, playing a man short for 45 minutes, showed enormous grit in a 6-5 win over Brothers at Davies Park, West End, with Souths’ halfback, John Salter making a number of breaks from the scrum base, to keep his side on the front foot.
Referee, Ian Smith dismissed Souths’ prop, Alan Rowan, for kicking an opponent on the ground. Rowan had already been penalised twice following incidents in tackles, and The Courier-Mail’s Jack Reardon wrote that he thought Souths’ coach, Wayne Bennett had made a tactical error in allowing the prop to remain on the field after the second caution, especially as he was limping.
Souths’ points came from three penalty goals by former Wingham Tigers’ winger, Tom Gillogly, while Brothers’ centre Peter Garozzo scored the only try of the match. Brothers’ five eighth, Billy Johnstone had a strong game in the slippery conditions, while lock, Murray Schultz, a former centre, had several vigorous clashes with Souths’ forwards. Brothers’ best was prop, Peter McNamara.
Referee, Billy McKenny sent off Norths’ five eighth, Ron Cameron for a head high tackle in the 51st minute of the Lang Park match against Easts Tigers, with Premiers, Easts holding on for a 12-7 win.
State forward, John Payne was outstanding for Norths against his former club, but Easts’ siblings, Des and Rod Morris pushed him hard for man-of-the match honours. The tackle of the game came from Norths’ replacement prop, Rick Bradford, when he ran down Easts’ winger, future State of Origin star, Brad Backer, in a 50-metre sprint, to stop a certain try. Bradford had been an outstanding athlete at East Ayr Primary School in the Burdekin Valley. Bradford’s tackle brought a huge ovation from patrons in the Frank Burke grandstand.
In the other match of the round, Wests revelled in the greasy going at Purtell Park, Bardon, to topple favourites, Redcliffe 13-3. Wests’ tries were scored by Harry Cameron, Henry Williamson and Gary Prickett, with young lock, Paul Vautin landing a goal. Winger, Craig Fenton scored Redcliffe’s try. State halfback, Greg Oliphant was Redcliffe’s best.
In Sydney football, Indigenous winger, Larry Corowa scored four tries for Balmain in their 39-5 thrashing of Newtown at Henson Park. Corowa had signed with the Tigers from the Tweed Heads Seagulls club.
Four days after their gutsy win over Brothers, the Souths Magpies backed up with a 10-4 win over the Gold Coast representative side, in a third round Amco Cup match at Owen Park, Southport. Souths led only 5-4, with a minute left, but sealed victory when centre, Bruce Astill took a perfect pass from skipper, Greg Veivers to score beside the posts. Wide Bay beat Central Queensland 12-3 in another Round 3 game, played in Maryborough.
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Although Larry Corowa was originally from Tweed Seagulls, he came to Balmain via the Monaro League.