Willow
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Happy St George's Day 2025 everyone.
A feast day for some, but St George's Day was really named for that inaugural St George first grade team ran onto the field in 1921.
Saturday, April 23, 1921. Venue: Sydney Sports Ground. Kickoff: 3:15pm
Saints' first match was coincidentally scheduled for 'St George's Day', 1921. Their opponents were Glebe, captained by William 'Binghi' Benson who went on to play for Saints in 1927 and featured the mighty Frank 'Chunky' Burge who would later captain-coach St George.
Herb Gilbert Snr (pic left) had the honour of being the inaugural first grade captain and coach. A veteran of 33 years old, Gilbert was regarded as one of the greatest centres in the game. His inspiration and experience brought instant respect to the new club.
Saints went down 4 -3 but kept the more fancied Glebe tryless.
George Carstairs (pic right) had the honour of scoring Saints' first ever try. A standout player for St George was forward, Ernie Lapham who out-performed his rivals.
The inaugural FIRST GRADE TEAM on the day (with numbers)
Fullback:1- Lyall Wall.
Wing three quarters: 2- George 'Bluey' Carstairs; 5- Norman Shadlow.
Centre three quarters: 3- Herb Gilbert (captain-coach); 4- Reg Fusedale.
Halves: 8- Tommy Burns; 9- Frank Gray.
Forwards: 10- Clarrie Tye; 11- Roy 'Bunny' Bossi; 12- Tony Redmond; 13- Ernie 'Curly' Lapham; 14- Sid Field; 15- Jack Clark.
Reserves: 6- Lew Heuschkel; 7- A. Bossi, 16- F 'Skinny' Wilkins; 17- J. Morris
The second grade team were also defeated 27-5 by Glebe. First scorers in the earlier match for Saints were:
R. Jackson (try) and Tom Killiby (goal).
The Second Grade team: G. Williams, R. Swanson, G. Turner, H. Harper, H.J. Sherringham, G. Miller, W. Jordan, T. Killiby, T. Molloy, H. Antilla, S. Buttel, R. Jackson, A. Clarke (captain).
2nd grade reserves: Grainger, McMurtrie, Lynch, Wilson, Leahey.
A feast day for some, but St George's Day was really named for that inaugural St George first grade team ran onto the field in 1921.
Saturday, April 23, 1921. Venue: Sydney Sports Ground. Kickoff: 3:15pm
Saints' first match was coincidentally scheduled for 'St George's Day', 1921. Their opponents were Glebe, captained by William 'Binghi' Benson who went on to play for Saints in 1927 and featured the mighty Frank 'Chunky' Burge who would later captain-coach St George.
Herb Gilbert Snr (pic left) had the honour of being the inaugural first grade captain and coach. A veteran of 33 years old, Gilbert was regarded as one of the greatest centres in the game. His inspiration and experience brought instant respect to the new club.
Saints went down 4 -3 but kept the more fancied Glebe tryless.
The inaugural FIRST GRADE TEAM on the day (with numbers)
Fullback:1- Lyall Wall.
Wing three quarters: 2- George 'Bluey' Carstairs; 5- Norman Shadlow.
Centre three quarters: 3- Herb Gilbert (captain-coach); 4- Reg Fusedale.
Halves: 8- Tommy Burns; 9- Frank Gray.
Forwards: 10- Clarrie Tye; 11- Roy 'Bunny' Bossi; 12- Tony Redmond; 13- Ernie 'Curly' Lapham; 14- Sid Field; 15- Jack Clark.
Reserves: 6- Lew Heuschkel; 7- A. Bossi, 16- F 'Skinny' Wilkins; 17- J. Morris
The second grade team were also defeated 27-5 by Glebe. First scorers in the earlier match for Saints were:
R. Jackson (try) and Tom Killiby (goal).
The Second Grade team: G. Williams, R. Swanson, G. Turner, H. Harper, H.J. Sherringham, G. Miller, W. Jordan, T. Killiby, T. Molloy, H. Antilla, S. Buttel, R. Jackson, A. Clarke (captain).
2nd grade reserves: Grainger, McMurtrie, Lynch, Wilson, Leahey.
