VIDEO LINK
Harry Bath Tribute(links to www.centenaryofrugbyleague.com.au)

WIRE 300 CLUB.

HARRY BATH

BATH TIME.... May 1950 and Warrington's second row forward Harry Bath becomes
the first overseas player to collect the Challenge Cup after leading the "Wire" to a
19-0 victory over Widness at Wembley. The then labour Prime Minister Clement Atlee
did the honours.

Australian Harry Bath proved to be an inspired signing by Warrington in March 1948. Harry had come over from Balmain to play for Barrow, but had not settled in Cumbria and when the opportunity to come to Warrington arose, he welcomed the chance to join a club who were about to rise to great heights.

When he played his first game for the Wire on March 17th, 1948, his team mates had gone 16 games without defeat and in the 10 games he played in that first season, they were beaten only once. Bath was not eligible to play in the Championship play offs but the record books show that Warrington won the title by beating Bradford Northern at Maine Road.

In the10 game he played that first season he scored six tries and two goals, an overture indeed for a fantastic total of 346 appearances for Warrington from which he scored 90 tries and 812 goals. His total of tries puts him second only to Bob Eccles in the clubs list of try scoring forwards and his goals total earns him third place behind Steve Hesford and Billy Holding.

One club record he still holds though is for the most points in a season. That was in 1952 - 53 when he kicked 162 goals and scored 13 tries to give him a total of 363 points. That was of course when a try was only worth three points and he scored 300 points in two more seasons - 1953-54 when he got 318 and 1955-56 when his total was 344.

Bath who was 5ft 11ins and 14st 7lbs, played most of his career in the second row but could and did, more than hold his own at prop. He would be the first to admit however that he was not always an 80 minute player in the way that team-mate Bob Ryan was. He tended to pace himself, lulling the opposition into complacency and then coming into a movement, with such devestating effect the he was on his way to the try-line before they could blink.

Harry was world class and he and the incomparable Brian Bevan were perhaps the two best Aussies never to have worn the Green and Gold of Australia. Bath did however, play 12 matches for the "other Nationalities" side against England, Wales and France, scoring 15 goals and two tries. He also played against New Zealand and Australia in representative matches and went to France with a British Empire Squad in 1948-49.

In that 1948-49 season, Bath was an established member of the Warrington team that finished top of the table but were beaten by Huddersfield in the Championship Final. Then in May 1950 he was a proud man when he led the Wire to victory over Widnes at Wembley. He had to have pain killing injections before the game but that didn't stop him scoring a typical "Bathie" try and becoming the first overseas skipper to receive the Challenge Cup.

Town Hall Reception.

Harry continued to shine in the the team that reached the Championship Final of 1950-51 when after finishing top of the league, Warrington lost to Workington in a final they finished with 11 men because of injuries.

Season 1953-54 saw him back at Wembley where his two goals against Halifax earned a replay at Odsal and a second Challenge Cup winners medal. His four goals at maine Road the following Saturday wont the Championship Trophy to complete an historic double. The following season, his two goals were the difference between Oldham and the "Wire" in another Championship Final Win.

He played his final game for Warrington in February 9th 1957 before returning to Australia for three great seasons with Sydney St George. In 1958 season, for example he kicked 108 goals.

A visit toWilderspool in the late 80's

When he finished his playing days he took up coaching - with just as much success. In 1968 and 1970 he masterminded Australia's World Cup wins and in 1977 and 1979 he coached St george to Grand Final triumphs over Parramatta and Canterbury respectively.

THIS ENTRY IN THE PROGRAM ACKNOWLEDGES GARY SLATER AND ERNIE DAY.

- why not share your memories with other members of Team Era, just click here -

HARRY BATH MAKES WESTS TIGERS TEAM OF THE CENTURY
From West Tigers website - to visit click here


On the 20th April 1908 the first official game of Rugby League was played in the Sydney Premiership. The combatants were the Western Suburbs Magpies and the Balmain Tigers. Since that time, there have been a total of 15 Premierships won between the clubs and a host of State of Origin, Kangaroo and Premiership stars produced. A wealth of legendary moments played out by some of the true legends of the game. To celebrate the history and prestige associated with two of Australia's most famous Rugby League Teams, as well as embrace their recent unification into the Wests Tigers, it is time to celebrate the.

Wests Tigers TEAM OF THE CENTURY

A panel of judges spanning the different eras from both Clubs will select nominees according to strict criteria. The panel comprised Keith Barnes (Balmain), Kevin Humphreys (Balmain), John 'Chow' Hayes (Wests), Rick Wayde (Wests) and Ian Heads (Independent). A Western Suburbs and a Balmain Tigers team has been selected by the panel representing each club, before the unenviable task of selecting the best combined team took place.

Wests Tigers Team of the Century

Fullback: Keith Barnes (c)
Wingers: Peter Dimond, Alan Ridley
Centres: Charles Fraser, Harry Wells
Five-Eighth: Vic Hey
Halfback: Keith Holman
Lock: Wayne Pearce
Second Row: Paul Sironen, Arthur Beetson
Front Row: Steve Roach, Noel Kelly
Hooker: Ben Elias

Reserves: Kel O'Shea, Jim Craig, Tom Raudonikis, Harry Bath

Coach: Norm "Latchem" Robinson

Balmain Tigers Team of the Century

Fullback: Keith Barnes (c)
Wingers: Larry Corowa, Arthur Patton
Centres: Charles Fraser, Jim Craig
Five-Eighth: Jack Devery
Halfback: Arthur Halloway
Lock: Wayne Pearce
Second Row: Paul Sironen, Harry Bath
Front Row: Steve Roach, Arthur Beetson
Hooker: Ben Elias

Reserves: Tom Burke, Tim Brasher, Peter Provan, Bob Boland

Coach: Norm "Latchem" Robinson

- why not share your memories with other members of Team Era, just click here -

Text

- why not share your memories with other members of Team Era, just click here -

text

- why not share your memories with other members of Team Era, just click here -

text

- why not share your memories with other members of Team Era, just click here -