1981 1982 1983 1986 
Post by Electric Eel on Aug 15, 2020 13:37:27 GMT 10
17th August 1963
The brilliance of Reg Gasnier proved the difference when St George defeated Parramatta 12-7 in a spectacular preliminary final. Gasnier played brilliantly in defence and attack, and gave an exhibition which left everyone in the record crowd searching to recall a more dominant individual performance.
Parramatta half Bob Bugden, making his first finals appearance against the club he had served so well, kicked the Eels ahead in the twelfth minute, before Gasnier scored the first of two breathtaking tries ten minutes later. Swooping on a loose ball just outside Parramatta's 25, Gasnier raced clear, taking Johnny King with him in support as the extra man. The two came to Eels winger Ken Foord. Foord had two choices, made the wrong one, and Gasnier scooted clear for the points. The Saints led 3-2.
Penalty goals followed and after thirty minutes Saints led 5-4. Then came the Eels' only try of the match: Ron Lynch and Billy McCall combining from their own side of halfway, before a long cut out pass from Ken Thornett flew to winger Jackson for the try. Langlands levelled with a penalty as the halftime siren sounded. The teams crossed at halftime before Langlands kicked the Saints ahead 9-7, thirteen minutes after the break. The Saints forwards attacked relentlessly throughout the tense second half.
Gasnier's gamebreaker came with four minutes left when his step and acceleration caught Eels' English centre Derek Hallas completely by suprise.
St George 12 (R.Gasnier 2 tries, G.Langlands 3 goals) defeated Parramatta 7 (M.Jackson try, R.Bugden 2 goals). Referee: D.Lawler. Crowd: 57,973 (record).
The Finals. The History of NSW Rugby League Finals.
Steve Haddan
Dick Thornett
The brilliance of Reg Gasnier proved the difference when St George defeated Parramatta 12-7 in a spectacular preliminary final. Gasnier played brilliantly in defence and attack, and gave an exhibition which left everyone in the record crowd searching to recall a more dominant individual performance.
Parramatta half Bob Bugden, making his first finals appearance against the club he had served so well, kicked the Eels ahead in the twelfth minute, before Gasnier scored the first of two breathtaking tries ten minutes later. Swooping on a loose ball just outside Parramatta's 25, Gasnier raced clear, taking Johnny King with him in support as the extra man. The two came to Eels winger Ken Foord. Foord had two choices, made the wrong one, and Gasnier scooted clear for the points. The Saints led 3-2.
Penalty goals followed and after thirty minutes Saints led 5-4. Then came the Eels' only try of the match: Ron Lynch and Billy McCall combining from their own side of halfway, before a long cut out pass from Ken Thornett flew to winger Jackson for the try. Langlands levelled with a penalty as the halftime siren sounded. The teams crossed at halftime before Langlands kicked the Saints ahead 9-7, thirteen minutes after the break. The Saints forwards attacked relentlessly throughout the tense second half.
Gasnier's gamebreaker came with four minutes left when his step and acceleration caught Eels' English centre Derek Hallas completely by suprise.
St George 12 (R.Gasnier 2 tries, G.Langlands 3 goals) defeated Parramatta 7 (M.Jackson try, R.Bugden 2 goals). Referee: D.Lawler. Crowd: 57,973 (record).
The Finals. The History of NSW Rugby League Finals.
Steve Haddan
Dick Thornett
