I was one of those fortunate enough to see the St.George vs Great Britain match of 1962, and I think I may have witnessed one of the greatest football teams ever to take the field on that day.
I can still remember four of the tries, some 45 years later.
The first was a try set up by David Bolton, the English five eight (later to play for Balmain), who mesmerised the St. George defence, around the midfield 25, prior to popping a magic short ball to the rampaging English second-rower Dick Huddart, who strolled in under the posts, such was the quality of the pass. Huddart later went on to play for St. George.
The next try was one scored by Alex Murphy, who had had his shoe thrown away in the preceding ruck. From about twenty five meters out, near the left hand touch line, he beat a cluster of defenders to stroll in unopposed, wearing only one shoe. It was such a great try, scored on only one shoe, that the parochial crowd rose as one to applaud the English halfback.
Another great try was scored down the right hand touchline, by the incomparable Billy Boston, after Eric Ashton had sucked in some tight defence (Mick Cronin style), before popping a pass to Boston, on the burst, who scored just inside the corner post, with barely a half a yard of space to move in.
The fourth try I recall, one of those scored in the second half, was a classic. It came after a kick at goal had hit the upright and bounced back into the field of play, straight into the arms of the other great English second rower, Brian Edgar,in full flight.
What a sight. Edgar strolled in unopposed, under the posts, much to the roar of the crowd. Edgar was an awesome sight, and on a later occasion made one great 25 meter burst, through the thick of the St.George forwards, shedding one after the other, right beneath my section of the crowd.
The crowd were so impressed, they stood as one to applaud him.
The same thing happened on the 1986 Kangaroo tour, where the English crowd stood as one to applaud Rod Reddy, following a similar great burst.
There were a lot of heroes for the English side on that day, with Boston, Ashton, Bolton, Murphy, Turner, Edgar, Huddart, Herbert and McTigue standing out.
The English side ripped in from the outset, and had three or four players injured during the process. Herbert had his head split open, but played a rousing game thereafter, with his head swathed in bandages.
The ballplay and long passing of McTigue mesemerised the crowd, who became generous in their applause of the whole English team, once the match became an exhibition.
St. George were simply outclassed and totally dominated. Even the lesser lights, such as fullback Round, centre Fox, and hooker Sayer, who were all oversized physical specimens, had rousing games.
England were a team of great forwards, and class backs, who played some great team football on the day. They had an abundance of size, speed and skill, all of which was appreciated by the crowd.
The match was played midweek, in front of around 50,000 people, who had come to witness something special. We had all come to watch St. George turn it on against the Poms.
Nobody could have been prepared for the way the match panned out, and the greatness displayed by the English side that warm winter afternoon.
That was a lasting memory, and something very special.
|
Share
Your Story with Team Era