Albert Gear scores the winning try for Salford against Barrow in the 1938 Wembley Final.
Australian cricket captain, Donald Bradman presented the Challenge Cup to Salford skipper, Gus Risman after a bruising final at Wembley Stadium, with just one try scored on a warm London day..
Centre, Albert Gear scored the match winning try one minute from fulltime in the 1938 final against Barrow, with the final score 7-4.
It looked as if the match would have to be replayed, with the scores locked 4-4 in the 79th minute, with the only points coming from a goal and a field goal by Welshman, Risman; a penalty goal by Barrow’s Fred French and a field goal by Barrow’s Billy Little.
Gear’s try came following a wild pass by Barrow’s Orkney Islands born skipper, Alec Troup, who was struggling with a knee injury.
Barrow had beaten Halifax 4-2 in the semi-finals, while Salford accounted for Swinton 6-0. Salford were managed by New Zealander, Lance Todd, after whom the Challenge Cup Man of the Match award is now named. Bradford’s Frank Peel refereed the final.
Bradman, who was based in Adelaide in 1938, was leading the Australian cricketers on a tour of the UK, and readily accepted the invitation to present the Cup. He was born at Cootamundra in New South Wales, and certainly knew all about rugby league.
The First Test of the Ashes series was to get underway on June 10 at Trent Bridge, Nottingham.
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