For a better quality page of the 1990 season (Colour, photos etc.) click on 1990

1990

Mal Graham continued as First Grade Captain / Coach in 1990, with Glen Armstrong continuing as Reserve Grade Coach, and the “Rubber Ball” John Scott taking over as Third Grade Coach. It was a pretty good season in which all 3 teams made the semi final. A couple of observations about the table below. In First Grade there were 3 draws in 4 games, with a one point win in the other game – just a little unusual. The other thing to notice is ....NO MAITLAND!. Yep, Maitland succumbed to financial pressures and did not field teams in the 1990 competition. Some players who first played grade with West in 1990 included West junior, Garth Brennan, Mick Reid (pictured - originally from Queensland), and Neil Baker (a South Newcastle junior who came to West from Penrith). First time player Jason Schiemer also impressed by scoring 24 tries during the year and winning the Darcy Real Estate Trophy for “Most Tries”. During the year West also won the inaugural “BP Sevens” over Cessnock. This final was played at half time in a Knights game. There was another bit of good news in 1990 – although West did not win a Grand Final they won the Club Championship – a trophy that West has won many times over the years. The 90’s would produce 4 First Grade Grand Final wins so good times were in the offing.

For a better quality page of the 1991 season (colour, photos etc.) click on 1991

1991

Neil Baker took over as Captain / Coach in First Grade, Geoff Coburn continued on as Reserve Grade Coach and while Peter Haggerty (pictured 2013) took the reins of Third Grade as Captain / Coach. 1991 was a very successful year. Both First and Reserve Grade were joint Minor Premiers (and beaten Grand Finalists), while Third Grade were Minor and Major Premiers....and, West were Club Champions. The winning Third Grade side was 1. Gavin Spruce  2. Justin Tamsett  3. Peter Chapman  4. Peter Haggerty  5. Steven Green (try)  6. John Reid (3 goals)  7. Paul Hoole  13. Michael Schofield (try)  12. Pat O’Meally  11. Stuart Bailey (try)  10. James Pappas  9. Troy Taylor and 8. Craig Lloyd. West Junior Andrew Weir played his first grade game in 1991. Andrew deserves SERIOUS RECOGNITION, as he is the player who has appeared in the most winning First Grade sides for West. Andrew won First Grade Premierships in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002 and 2004 (FIVE!) (NB Nine players have won 4 – Steve Smith, Tony Price, Scott Bradley, Paul Skovgaard, Tony Hutton, Brett Cullen, Shane Johnson, Ryan Dagwell and Gavin Cook). Another West junior to appear in 1991 was Darren Treacy, who made his name as centre for West and a 2^nd rower for St George. Eddie Smith came from Cardiff to play for West and big front rower, Tim Perrin, came from St George, after playing for St Gregorys at Campbelltown. An interesting feature of 1991 were the efforts of the Cessnock Reserve Grade team in Round 7 to avoid going scoreless against West. On now onto 1992 – and one of the most exciting years in West’s history..it was that good!

(NB – In the table below NN Bay is North – Nelson Bay)

For a better quality page of the 1992 season (colour, photos etc.) click on 1992

1992

Neil Baker continued as Captain / Coach in First Grade, Geoff Coburn continued on as Reserve Grade Coach and while Wayne Dawson took over Third Grade. WHAT A SEASON!! Following on from 1966 and 1984, West again had a “Golden Year” by winning all 3 Grand Finals...and it was even better than that. West First Grade were undefeated in the competition rounds, and final series, and were awarded the “Clayton Cup”. (The Clayton Cup is awarded to the “Best performing team in Country NSW” – see last 2 pages). West’s winning First Grade side was 1. Greg West (goal)  2. David Wild  3. Darren Treacy (2 tries)  4. Neil Baker (3 goals, 1 FG)  5. Tim Morrison  6.  Eddie Smith  7. Tony Price (try)  13. Brett Hoad  12. Greg Price (try)  11. David O’Brien (try) 10. Tim Perrin  9. Paul Bowen  8. Anthony McDonnell  14. Michael Reid and 15. Scott Bradley (goal).  The winning Reserve Grade side was 1. Garth Brennan  2. Peter Storey  3. John McGuire  4. Rod Muller  5. Peter Jenner  6. Peter Chapman  7. Malcolm Smith (4 goals)  13. Dwayne Nielson  12. David Thomas  11. Craig Dodd  10. Wayne Hepple  9. Paul Kennedy (try) 8. David Ashman  14. John Skeers (try).

The winning Third Grade side was 1. Greg Mitchell  2. Jason Schiemer  3. Matt Sharman  4. Brad Emanuel  5. Gavin Spruce (try)  6. Robert Coyte  7. John Reid (try and 3 goals)  13. Craig Hubbard  12. Scott Conley  11. Dale Green  10. Gavin Leigh  9. Steven Trow and 8. Craig Lloyd.

If you are to go on the evidence available, then the 1992 West team is the only one that has won the title “The Best Performing Team in Country NSW”. This then makes them the “Best Performing Team in West’s History” and gives them every right to say that the 1992 side is the “Best Team in West’s History”. If this is the case then West should acknowledge all the players who played First Grade that year, and salute them as occupying a very special part in West’s history.

Those players are – Neil Baker, Paul Bowen, Anthony McDonnell, David O’Brien, Darren Treacy, Brett Hoad, Greg Price, Eddie Smith, Tim Morrison, David Wild, Greg West, Tony Price, Scott Bradley, Tim Perrin, Peter Atkins, Wayne Hepple, John McGuire, Peter Storey, Paul Kennedy, Michael Reid, David Thomas, Rod Muller, Michael Flanagan, David Ashman, Peter Jenner, Dwayne Neilson, Garth Brennan, Craig Hubbard, Jason Schiemer, Chris Wilson and Craig Lloyd.

(NB To top off a great year Brett Hoad won the trophy for the Newcastle Rugby League "Player of the Year"

WSRLFC - Clayton Cup Winners - 1992

The Clayton Cup is a trophy awarded by the Country Rugby League to the NSW Rugby League team with the best overall record for that season. To be eligible, the team must win the highest level of competition in its region. Usually the winner of the Clayton Cup goes through the season undefeated.

The Cup was donated by Reub Clayton, an early rugby league administrator in country NSW, and was first awarded in 1937 to West Tamworth. Since then, the Tweed Heads Seagulls and  Forster - Tuncurry have been the most successful clubs, each winning the trophy three times.

Winners

• 1937 West Tamworth – Group 4
• 1938 Nimmitabel – Group 16
• 1939 Wagga Magpies – Group 9
• 1940 Henty – Group 9
• 1946 Port Kembla – Illawarra
• 1947 Bombala – Group 7
• 1948 Cootamundra – Group 9
• 1949 Tumut – Group 9
• 1950 Bathurst Railway – Group 10
• 1951 North Tamworth – Group 4
• 1952 Gundagai – Group 9
• 1953 Young – Group 9
• 1954 Orange CYMS – Group 10
• 1955 Young – Group 9
• 1956 Maitland – Newcastle
• 1957 Temora – Group 9
• 1958 Coonamble – Group 14
• 1959 Dubbo Macquarie – Group 11
• 1960 Goulburn Workers – Group 8
• 1961 Ballina – Group 1
• 1962 Warialda – Group 19
• 1963 Tweed Heads Seagulls
• 1964 Oberon – Group 10
• 1965 Tullibigeal – Group 17
• 1966 Picton Magpies – Group 6
• 1967 Casino – Group 1
• 1968 Darlington Point – Group 20            
• 1969 Tarcutta – Group 13
• 1970 Delegate – Group 19
• 1971 Cobar – Group 15
• 1972 Cobar – Group 15  
• 1973 Gunnedah – Group 4
• 1974 Queanbeyan United – Group 8
• 1975 Albury Blues – Group 13
• 1976 Bombala – Group 16
• 1977 Belconnen United – Group 19
• 1978 Sawtell – Group 2
• 1979 Scone – Group 21
• 1980 Narwan – Group 19
• 1981 Bellingen- Group 2
• 1982 Warilla – Group 7
• 1983 Tweed Heads Seagulls – Group 18
• 1984 Bourke – Group 15
• 1985 Tumbarumba – Group 13
• 1986 Tumbarumba – Group 13                             Neil Baker – Captain / Coach
• 1987 Lismore Marist Brothers – Group 1       17 games – 2  tries – 52 goals – 1 FG 
• 1988 Bega Group 16
• 1989 Tweed Heads Seagulls – Group 18
• 1990 Singleton – Group 21
• 1991 Mittagong Lions – Group 6
• 1992 Western Suburbs – Newcastle  
• 1993 Rankins Springs – Group 17
• 1994 Forster-Tuncurry – Group 3
• 1995 Forster-Tuncurry – Group 3
• 1996 Werris Creek – Group 4
• 1997 Eden- Group 16
• 1998 Cobar – Group 11
• 1999 Barellan – Group 17
• 2000 Taree City – Group 3
• 2001 Port Macquarie – Group 2
• 2002 Barellan – Group 17
• 2003 Narooma – Group 16
• 2004 Temora – Group 9
• 2005 Umina Beach Central Coast – Central Coast
• 2006 Hillston Bluebirds – Group 17
• 2007 Albion Park – Oak Flats – Group 7
• 2008 The Entrance Tigers – Central Coast
• 2009 Yenda – Group 20
• 2010 Grafton Ghosts – Northern Rivers
• 2011 Grafton Ghosts – Northern Rivers
• 2012 Campbelltown Eagles – Group 6
• 2013 Wauchope – Group 3                                         (Records correct as of May 2014)

For a better quality page of the 1993 season click on 1993

1993

Neil Baker continued as Captain / Coach in First Grade, Wayne Dawson took over as Reserve Grade Coach while newcomer, Greg Bannister, took on the Coach of the Third Grade side. It was another one of those “gotcha” moments at the end of the First Grade Grand Final. A fantastic “ball and all” tackle by (I think) Scott Bradley (pictured  left) on a Kurri player about 10 metres out from our posts resulted, belatedly, in a touch judge running on for an illegal tackle. However, this apart, it was another good year for West. First Grade were Grand Finalists, whilst Reserve and Third Grades both made it to the Finals stage of the competition. A couple of highlights for the year was Brett Hoad (pictured 2013 right) and Tony Price gaining selection in the Country sides v City, and Tony Price being named Newcastle Representative Player of the Year. The “Clubman of the Year” was awarded to John Riddell for his “dedication and tireless efforts” during 2013. Trophies for the “Most Outstanding Player” in each Grade were awarded to Brett Hoad (Firsts), Rod Muller (Reserves) and Andrew Weir (Thirds). Newcomers to the club in 1993 included big South prop Tod Anderson (originally from Stockton), and West juniors Heath Aland, Grant Kenny and Steve Hedley.

For a better quality page of the 1994 season click on 1994

1994

Neil Baker continued as Captain / Coach in First Grade, Geoff Coburn again took over in his last season as Reserve Grade Coach while Craig Hubbard took over as Captain / Coach of 3^rd Grade. No Grand Final wins this year, but the club again won the “Mal Woolford” trophy for being “Club Champions”. First Grade had a wonderful year before falling by the barest of margins to Kurri in the Final. Reserve Grade were finalists, and Third Grade were Grand Finalists. So all in all, an excellent season. Another win by over 100 points in Round 15 when West defeated Central 114 – 0. Indeed the combined score in all 3 grades, over both rounds, against Central resulted in “West 536 pts – Central 12 pts”. Players who first played grade with West in 1994 included Steve Vallette (Nelson Bay), and West juniors Tony Hutton and Adam Dagwell. Hutton went on to play 141 games for West, winning 1st Grade Premierships in 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2002.  Ross Potter was awarded the “Clubman of the Year” trophy, while the “Most Outstanding Player” trophies in each grade were awarded to Tod Anderson, Frank Elmer and Keith Couper. Geoff Coburn (pictured) deserves a special mention. A local junior Geoff played 151 games (121 First Grade) between 1977 and 1988, with some years in the middle playing First Grade in Sydney. He played in the 1978 First Grade Grand Final (West 23 def South 16), and the 1980 First Grade Grand Final (West 17 def Cessnock 3). In the 1990’s Geoff coached Reserve Grade for 3 years. Later he was a on the WSRLFC Committee, and a Director of West Leagues Club (still is at the time of writing June 2014). “Good job...well played...by an unlikely looking tough, front row forward – but Guy Keenan will always win the award as the “most unlikely front row forward” (Todd Pavlou is also in the mix – all 3 played well above their weight)