"We were there, weren't we brothers, WE WERE THERE...."
FLASH BACK - the game that saw Barbed Wire installed at Cumberland.
Parramatta has always had its share (or more than its share) of passionate followers. In the early sixties the supporters made Cumberland Oval a place to be dreaded by visiting teams and officials.
The Old Grandstand used to rock with feet stamping and chants Parra Parra Parra. It certainly provided a lift for the locals, especially in closely contested matches. Most time the referee's were intimidated by the supporters, but on this particular day, Fred Erickson dished out his own message to the fans..and they reacted after the match.
This game was played on Anzac Day, Thursday April 25, 1963 just two days before the team had to back up and play Easts, again at Cumberland Oval. Paqrramatta won the match 29-2 with Ken Thornett back in the team after missing the Manly game with injury. Ken replaced Ron Willey and scored a try, with Ken Foord and Doc Bill Roney each scoring a brace.
Easts points came from penalty goal by future Parramatta coach Terry Fearnley..
Daily Telegraph report Friday April 26, 1963
MUD BEER CANS FLY
REFEREE PELTED AT CUMBERLAND
By Norman Tasker
A group of Parramatta Rugby League supporters staged a home town demonstration against referee Fred Erickson after Manly had defeated Parramatta 13-8 at Cumberland Oval yesterday.
One spectator brandished an umbrella at Erickson, missed at struck the touch judge.
The partisan Parramatta crowd launched its hostile attack on Ericson when he left the field at full time.
Spectators, some of them children, hurled mud, beer cans, orange peel, programs and abuse at the referee.
One missile aimed at Erickson caught Manly full-back Bob Batty on the head. Erickson did not referee well, but his exhibition had no bearing on the result of the game.
Manly scored three tries to none.
Parramatta never got into stride and was well beaten.
The Parramatta followers main complaint against Erickson was his interpretation of the advantage rule.
Parramatta supporters were incensed several times near the finish when Erickson halted Parramatta’s attack on Manly’s line to award the locals a penalty.
Parramatta’s football was basically poor.
In attack players stood leaden-footed with their heels firmly planted in the mud, and waited for the ball to come to them.
In defence too many tackles were missed and too often Manly’s switches of play caught Parramatta napping.
In contrast, Manly’s attack was sharper and more purposeful and its defence was swift and sure.
The brightest spot in Manly’s win, its first of the season, was the success of big centres Ross Everingham and Athol Preston.
Everingham scored a try, was prominent in another and consistently worried Parramatta defence when given room to move.
The success of Preston and Everingham is likely to cause Manly selectors some embarrassment.
Peter Burke soon will be fit to reclaim his half back spot, which Frank Stanton has been filling.
Stanton yesterday gave a tigerish display and selectors could hardly drop him. The possibility is increasing of Stanton remaining half back and Burke missing selection.
Stanton has plenty to learn about the finer points of half back play.
But his nimble movements, accurate and intelligent passing and relentless defence was again outstanding for Manly yesterday. Manly handled much better than Parramatta in the wet and was always moving the ball.
Superb
Manly took an 8-2 lead in the first half with tries by Nick Yakich and second rower Barney McEvoy.
In the second half superb forward play by Rex Mossop and John Morgan sent Everingham in for his try.
Despite the loss, coach-selector Ken Kearney retained the Parramatta team for Saturdays match against East.
Parramatta forwards tried hard, but much of their energy was misdirected.
Second-rower Dick Thornett made some good runs and showed plenty of speed in defence.
MANLY 13 (N Yakich, B McEvoy, R Everingham tries B O’Connell 2 goals defeated PARRAMATTA 8 (Ron Willey 4 goals)
Crowd 9079
