Valleys’ halfback, Ross Strudwick in a determined dash, supported by Wally Lewis (left) and Paul Richards
Former Test winger, John Grant was chosen at lock for the Brisbane City side to play Queensland Country, with specialist lock, Norm Carr on the bench.
The other surprise selection was Wynnum-Manly’s former Murwillumbah Brothers’ utility back, Brian Walsh, who was preferred to Redcliffe’s Steve Williams at five eighth. Halfback, Wayne Lindenberg was the only recognised goal kicker in the squad, which boasted an all-international front row – Greg Veivers, John Lang and Rod Morris.
The Courier-Mail’s Jack Reardon said Walsh had played his way into the squad by impressing with “sound play, a clever sidestep, and his ability to place an ‘up and under’.”
The squad was chosen after a full round of Brisbane Premiership fixtures, with the standout performance of the weekend a three try effort by State fullback, Alan Mills for Valleys against Souths in the Saturday Lang Park match.
Valleys won 25-14 with Mick Neil, Bruce Cameron, Ross Strudwick and young lock, Wally Lewis also scoring tries, while Neil kicked two goals. Bruce Astill and Billy Argeros scored tries for Souths, with Tom Gillogly landing four goals.
Reardon had this to say about Mills.
“The hot footed Mills, swerving, sidestepping and sprinting through Souths’ defence, scored three tries and sewed up selection in the City side to be chosen tonight.”
Not far behind Mills in the attacking stakes was Strudwick.
It was a great team effort by Valleys and reflected well on coach, Johnny Rhodes, a former Test winger. Hooker, Trevor Johnson gave Valleys a 10-1 scrum advantage in the first half, giving the Magpies little chance to respond. Valleys led 9-4 at the break.
Souths played most of the second half with 12 men following an injury to winger, Brian Turnbull. The Magpies had used their limit of two replacements in the second half, following injuries to five eighth, Allan Brackin and Grant. Turnbull was knocked unconscious in a collision with rival winger, Marc Svenson and was admitted to the Mater Hospital, for an overnight stay.
Redcliffe defeated bottom side, Norths 21-13 at the Redcliffe Showgrounds, after Norths led 13-11 with five minutes left. The Dolphins took the lead when fullback, Ian ‘Bunny’ Pearce scored from a Steve Williams’ bomb. Former Murwillumbah Brothers’ hooker, Alan Nunan scored a try on the bell.
Norths’ second rowers, Paul McCabe and Gary Walker; and halfback, Gary Seaton played brilliantly, while prop, Steve Bullow was exceptional for the Dolphins.
Premiers, Easts hit top form to belt Wests Panthers, 26-5 in the Sunday Lang Park match, with Rod Morris and Wayne Lindenberg outstanding for the Tigers. Wests’ only try was scored by centre, Harry Cameron, from a chip kick by five eighth, Wayne Carr, younger brother of Norm.
In the other match of the round, Brothers defeated Wynnum-Manly 17-11 at Corbett Park, Grange with lock John Alroe and second rowers, dental student, Harvey Carter and the experienced Murray Schultz the stars for Brothers. Alroe used his pace to score two tries. Schultz, usually a centre, had answered an SOS from coach, Reg Cannon. North Queenslander Schultz had been given permission to have a mid-season break on the Gold Coast, but when Greg Thomas was ruled out with injury, things changed.
There were no mobile phones in those days and Brothers’ officials were unable to reach Schultz, so the club went to ‘The Courier-Mail’, which ran a small story on the sports pages, with the headline ‘Calling Murray Schultz!’
“You can forget about your Gold Coast holiday because Reg Cannon wants you at training tonight.” the story read.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Schultz said. “I picked up the paper at a newsagency, and there was this bloody headline. It was a bit embarrassing, but, at the same time, flattering.”
Brothers started impressively, so much so that Wynnum coach, Dennis Ward, a former Test halfback, injected himself into the action in the second half, and set up tries for Phil Bliss and Mark Luppi.
City: Alan Mills(Valleys); Steve Stacey (Easts), Peter Leis (Redcliffe), Gerry Fitzpatrick (Valleys), John Callus (Easts); Brian Walsh (Wynnum-Manly), Wayne Lindenberg (Easts); John Grant (Souths), Des Morris (Easts), Bob Kellaway (Souths), Rod Morris (Easts), John Lang (Easts), Greg Veivers (Souths). Res: Nick Geiger (Norths), Norm Carr (Wests), Ross Strudwick (Valleys), Peter Eastwell (Wests), Greg Perrett (Wynnum-Manly). The team was to train at Davies Park under coach, Barry Muir. Ian Smith was appointed referee for the match.
Country defeated Ipswich 23-3 in a warm-up game to the City clash, with fullback, Ian Dauth (Nerang) scoring two tries, while Innisfail wonder kid, Kerry Boustead also got among the try scorers. Others to cross for Country were Shane McNally (Gatton) and Peter Griffiths (Cairns), with McNally kicking four goals.
Former Brisbane Valleys’ hooker, Hugh O’Doherty, an Ipswich product, gave Ipswich a glut of possession from the scrums. Lock, Greg Quinn was Ipswich’s best player.
A seven point try gave a depleted Easts Roosters a 16-10 in over Cup holders, Wests Magpies in an Amco Cup knockout match at Sydney’s Leichhardt Oval. Mark Harris scored both Easts’ tries, with the referee ruling interference on the big centre in the scoring of the second try. Joe Reaiche converted the try, and then kicked the penalty from in front of the posts.
Country beat City 19-10 (see an earlier ‘Flashback May 1978’, this website).
About Author
