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From: "Brian Andrews" <>
Subject: Re: [HV] Re: Newcastle Rugby League 1961
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2004 20:59:16 +1100
References: <003601c3f214$3f8bcc60$38eeddcb@windows>


Chris,
The game to which you refer was part of the 1962 British Lions tour. The
game was played at Newcastle on Monday, June 4, 1962. Newcastle won
23-18.
From our Comerford Library of Lower Hunter history held in the Edgeworth
David Museum at, Kurri Kurri, the following details are taken for that
famous match.
Weathe fine; Crowd 22,750; Gate £4,838
NEWCASTLE: Les Johns, Don Adams, Brian Dunlop, Ken Odgers, Bob Horne; N.
Wilkinson, Neville Hannah, John Sattler, Billy Owen, Don Schofield (Capt.),
J. Richards, D. Williams, and Bob Heaney.
BRITAIN: Eric Fraser, Frank Carlton, Small, Gary Cooper, Isaac Southward,
Harold Poynton, Don Fox; Derek Turner (Capt.), John Taylor, Laurie
Gilfedder, Jack Wilkinson, John Shaw, Ken Noble. H. Poynton was replaced by
Eric Ashton in the first half.
Referee, K. Lyons; touch judges, J. Woolett, R. Reichert.
Newcastle: 23 (Heaney, Owen, Hannah, Williams, Johns tries; Johns 4 goals).
Britain: 18 (Southward 3, Cooper tries; Gilfedder 3 goals).
The following notes on the game might help to bring back memories of the
game.
Newcastle, always a tough match for any touring side, inflicted the first
defeat of the 1962 tour on the Englishmen with a 23-18 victory before a
crowd of 22,750.
Big forward Jack Wilkinson was sent off a minute from the end after
Newcastle half Neville Hannah had been injured. John Shaw, hooking for
England, had been sent off after 15 minutes of the second half.
Newcastle now has beaten the four sides from England of 1936, 1946, 1954
and 1962.
State full-back Les Johns was astray with his usually reliable
goalkicking, and landed only four goals from 15 attempts, but his all-round
play was first class.
1952 Kangaroo, Arthur Collinson, coached Newcastle for their fine win and
deserved great credit for his effort.
British half-back, Harold Poynton, was injured just before half-time and
was replaced by Eric Ashton.
Britain finished stoutly from 10-23 with nine minutes to go and scored the
last two tries of the match.
Half-back Hannah played smart football behind the Newcastle pack and he
and johns revealed outstanding promise. Centres Brian Dunlop and Ken Odgers
also showed out well and winger Bob Horne showed a lot of speed.
Don Schofield showed he still retained great form after a long career and
he inspired the Newcastle pack, in which Billy Owen and Bob Heaney also did
well.
Best wishes,
Brian Andrews for Coalfield Heritage Group (hist.socy.)


----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris" <>
To: <>
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2004 8:31 PM
Subject: [HV] Re: Newcastle Rugby League 1961


> Hi All,
> I am a Rugby League supporter and once played the game. One of
the
> best, if not the best game of Rugby League I have seen is when Newcastle
> defeated the Great Britain Test Side in 1961 ( I think it was 1961).
> Would someone know the full team from both sides.
> Regards,
> John.
>
> ______________________________


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