Boxing Day Test at Samford Grove
MONDAY, DECEMBER 26
After the first ball of the traditional Boxing Day Cricket Test, our youngest grandson, Connor Ricketts, asks if Australia has won. Connor and older brother, Ethan had just come into the loungeroom at our villa at Samford Grove, after testing out their Christmas pedometers. The Test against South Africa is the 100th for controversial Australian opening batsman, David Warner, who is a Sydney Roosters’ rugby league supporter, so he can’t be all bad. South Africa first toured Australia in 1910-11, with Australia winning the series 4-1. The Australians lost the Third Test in Adelaide, with J W Zulch top scoring for the tourists, with 105. It was the last time for 42 years that South Africa were to win a Test against Australia.
The start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht race in Sydney Harbour, doesn’t have the same nice feel, now that the yachts have black sails. The yachts almost seen sinister.
The oldest surviving British Lions rugby league player, Tom Danby, has died, aged 96. Danby, from the Salford club in Manchester, toured Australia and New Zealand with the 1950 Great Britain side, playing two Tests in Australia and one across the ditch. He finished leading try scorer on tour. Also learn of the passing of Allan West, a Life Member of Brothers Rugby League Club, Townsville. He won premierships as a player, captain and coach, and was a member of Arcadian Surf Life Saving Club on Magnetic Island.
The traditional Boxing Day rugby league matches in the UK remain part of the calendar, although they are very much trials (or friendlies) these days, and not championship clashes, given League is now a summer sport. Leeds beat Wakefield 38-20 at Headingley, and Batley account for Dewsbury 32-22.
There is an obituary in ‘The Courier-Mail’ about Australian rules star, Barry Round, which is fair enough. But there is nothing on Ken Wilson, who was an iconic figure for the Newtown rugby league club in Sydney, and would be far better known in Queensland, than Round.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27
Our Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese is a guest commentator at the cricket Test. It is something of a tradition, so I’m not going to bag his presence. ‘Albo’ is a South Sydney rugby league supporter, but it’s Roosters’ lad, Warner, who steals the limelight, retiring hurt on 200.
My wife, Marie and I enjoy dinner at Brisbane’s iconic Breakfast Creek Hotel with our daughter, Melanie Mariotto and her husband, Greg; our youngest son, Lliam and his two boys, Ethan and Connor. Our steaks are ordinary. Never thought I would say that about a ‘Brekky Creek’ steak.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28
FoxSports commentator, Kerry O’Keefe calls Aussie rules a disease, rather than a religion, in Victoria. A St George rugby league supporter, O’Keefe grew up at Carlton in Sydney. On a trip to Melbourne, a business owner thought Kerry was a local, when he saw the Carlton address. When O’Keefe revealed he did not follow Carlton, or Aussie rules, the bloke didn’t want to know him. Referring to Australian pace bowler, Mitchell Starc’s injury woes, O’Keefe says there are alcoholic butchers with fewer finger problems.
I am a great fan of comedian, Paul Hogan, but I have gone off him a bit, now that he is an Aussie rules man. In his autobiography, ‘Hoges’ recalls playing rugby league, with a team made up mainly of fellow Sydney Harbour Bridge workers. Hoges early attire, as a comedian, even included the Newtown (Bluebags) rugby league long socks. But now he has discovered ‘Aussie rules’, and prefers it to the brutality of rugby league.
Tonight we dine with Melanie and Greg, and Greg’s mate, Nathan ‘Howie’ Howard, from Ipswich, at the Samford Pub. Greg and ‘Howie’, both Aussie rules men, were in the Royal Australian Navy together. They reflect on things, such as the great seafood in Rockingham, Western Australia and the pub scene in Sydney’s Rocks area. I won’t mention what they think of the way Navy recruiting has gone. When we talk football of all codes, ‘Howie’ tells me there are four senior Australian rules clubs in Ipswich. That’s four too many. There are 10 senior rugby league clubs, and four stand-alone junior clubs. Howie’s youngest lad plays soccer for Springfield.
Our grand daughter, Parker Ricketts, from Ayr, turns 7.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29
Chinese takeaway as a farewell dinner for Greg and Melanie, who return to Koh Samui tomorrow.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30
Scared Heart Church, Samford is packed for the funeral of Clare Mary Alcock, the twin sister of my fellow QRL History Committee member, Paul Hayes. The service is celebrated by Fr Frank O’Dea, and proves a fitting farewell for a beautiful lady.
Brazilian soccer icon, Pele has died, aged 82. Many regard him as the world’s most famous athlete.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31
Marie and I attend a New Year’s street party, right outside our front door, with Peter Williamson in charge of the BBQ.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 1 2023.
Woken at 3.09 a.m. by a plover going off. Our eldest son, Damien; wife Emma and children, Parker and Evan arrive in Brisbane, from North Queensland. Our daughter, Melanie and husband, Greg’s luggage arrives at their place on Koh Samui, 48 hours after they arrived. Greg’s Aussie Chico rolls have to be thrown out.
This is the 50th year for what is now our local soccer club, Samford Rangers. It is also the 90th season of Norths Devils Rugby League club, which contests the Queensland Cup. I played for the Devils in 1979.
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