25th June….
A new try scoring record was set for the re-formed club in 2000 today. Samoan international Willie Swann was brought in at stand-off as the exodus of players following the denial of Super League rugby gathered pace. At Lancashire Lynx in the penultimate game of a season which had only yielded seven wins, Willie ran riot scoring six of the teams twelve tries in a 66-6 win.
The tours continued…
1910 – Billy Batten and Billy Jukes are in Brisbane as Great Britain defeat Queensland easily 33-9.
1932 – Les White was a bit further north at Townsville as the Lions took on North Queensland, winning 20-12. It was 15-2 at half time but two injuries hindered GB in the second half.
1957 – The World Cup came to an end in Australia today in Sydney. Australia had secured the trophy by winning all three of their fixtures. Great Britain faced New Zealand with Geoff Gunney in the second row and despite going down 21-29 finished as runners-up.
26th June….
1966 – both Geoff Shelton and Bill Ramsey were in the Great Britain side against Northern Division at Tamworth today. The tourists suffered a narrow 13-15 defeat in an ill-tempered match – the referee gave out eight verbal warnings to GB players. There were regular brawls and the crowd threw beer cans at the British players. Geoff was taken to hospital for five stiches in his index finger but couldn’t have an x-ray due to a power cut!
27th June….
1910 – In Sydney to face Kangaroos GB included Fred Smith, Billy Jukes and Billy Batten. Fred scored a try but Great Britain went down 10-22.
1914 – four years later and Fred Smith was in the team for the first test at the Royal Agricultural Showground in Sydney. 40,000 saw the tourist win comfortably 23-5.
1936 – Harry Beverley scored a try in Great Britain’s 16-21 defeat to Newcastle in the latest tour match.
