A Famous Game – Souths v Newtown 1926
South Sydney have been involved in some wonderful games in the history of the club. I know it may sound strange to use because it was a loss. However, the upset of the century was a famous game. Most famous Rugby league games are either test matches or Grand Finals.
This one regular season game stands out and has been repeatedly mentioned in many rugby league history books.
South Sydney in 1926 were almost invincible. They had won the premiership undefeated the year before and had only lost one game all year. They were to go on and win the 1926 premiership and the next three in a row.
The Best Ever
Their team was equal to any club side ever. Newtown, on the other hand, were a gallant team but in a lowly place on the table. In fact they were not to make the semis until 1929. An easy afternoon was expected by the Souths’ supporters as they settled into their seats.
The Game
And so it transpired, first half spectacular play resulted in three Rabbitohs tries and a 13-0 lead. Not only that, a Newtown forward had to leave the field injured (C. Pendergast had injured his ankle, an opponent fell on it). There were no replacements so Newtown had to play with 12 men.
Spectators streamed out of the ground, sure of the result due to Souths extending the lead to 18-0.
The Comeback
Suddenly with nothing to lose, Newtown became a team inspired. Try after try resulted. The Royal Blues were suddenly transformed into a brilliant and speedy attacking machine.
Newtown subsequently closed up to 18-15. Souths came alive and scored to make it 21-15. All seemed lost.
However, Newtown came again and two converted tries meant Newtown led 25-21. South Sydney, as they did in those days, were indeed never beaten and they threw in one last effort. Cavanough scored and the crowd went silent as Alf ‘Smacker’ Blair lined up the kick. He missed and there finished what is considered the best ever game of rugby league in many people’s opinion.
The teams in that memorable match were:
Newtown: Fullback, Tom Ellis; three-quarters, Jack Kessey, Dudley Seddon, Fred Lind, Fred Hockey; five-eighth, Keith Ellis (capt); halfback, Reg McEncroe; forwards, D. (“‘Seedy”) Waters, Tom Jones, Les Bull, Wally McMillan, Tom Leamey, Charlie Pendergast.
South Sydney: Fullback, Alan Righton; three-quarters, Benny Wearing, Oscar Quinlivan, Vic Lawrence, Harry Finch; five-eighth, Alf (“‘Smacker’) Blair (capt); halfback, Frank Brogan; forwards Abbie Carr, Ernie Lapham, Alf O’Connor, George Treweeke, Eddie Root, Harry Canavough.
Webby Neill was the referee.
The Upset of the Century
By Mark Emery for Bunnies TV.
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