Vic Hey lines up a kick in the Paris snow
The Kangaroos’ tour of Britain finished in dramatic fashion with ‘England’ snatching victory in the dying minutes of a match played at Redheugh Park, Gateshead, in front of an appreciative crowd of 15,576.
Great Britain had already won the Test series 2-1, and this match against an England selection (which included Welshman, Jim Sullivan), did not count as a full cap, although it was played with great passion and vigour.
The try which gave England victory was a beauty, with sure handling, in a movement which covered 80 metres and finished with centre, Fred Harris scoring near the posts. Sullivan’s conversion made the final score 19-14. England had led 12-4 at halftime, but Australia dominated the second half, much to the horror of the locals, who chanted ‘Come on England’ to motivate their lads. St George (Sydney) winger, Fred ‘Yappy’ Gardner scored two tries for Australia, while Dave Brown (Sydney Easts) kicked four goals.
At the finish, the players joined hands and sang ‘Auld Lang Syne’, before attending a civic reception, where Australian team manager, Harry Sunderland spoke optimistically about the future of the 13 man-code in Tyne and Wear, where soccer was king.
The match had been scheduled for Newcastle United’s soccer ground, but it was unavailable, so the English League secured Gateshead’s ground, just across the River Tyne.
The Australians played 37 matches, winning 27, including a New Year’s Eve match against another English selection, in Paris. The tourists scored 15 tries to three in the Paris romp, with the locals mobbing the players after the game, which effectively launched rugby league in France.
It was back to England after the French adventure, and there was a match against Lancashire outfit, Oldham, before the Gateshead trip. The Kangaroos walloped Oldham 38-5, giving a brilliant exhibition of passing, with five eighth, Vic Hey the star.
“Hey played glorious football, making many fine runs, while his dodging was the finest seen on the tour,” wrote Claude Corbett.
Dave Brown – at 20, the youngest member of the squad – finished leading points scorer on tour, with 285 from 19 tries and 114 goals. The leading try scorer was Alan Ridley (Sydney Wests) with 25.
The Kangaroos travelled back to Australia by ship. As they were settling back into life in their home towns and cities, rugby union’s Wallabies were touring South Africa, while an Australian Universities rugby side toured Japan. Rugby union in Queensland had only re-started in 1929, after being in recess for 10 years, giving rugby league a clear run during the twenties.
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