1961 Premiers

1961 started with Roger Ward, a school teacher from Balldale, who travelled many miles with Beres Ellwood from Berrigan to play. Ward and newcomer Bob Stewart joined to become a potent backline combination. Bob had very good hands, a deft little kick over the backs and was a safe defender. With Tate Heggaton’s excellent service Bob was able to set up the backline which comprised Beres Ellwood, Col Wood, Lynton Gooden, Roger Ward and Jim Lenehan.

Under the mentoring of Mick Millard, Dave Heckendorf developed into an excellent all-round player. He was very good in the lineouts and his long lanky stride as he carried the ball was a treat to watch.

In the first match of the season, Teachers College completely outplayed Waratahs by adopting the style of play used so successfully by Waratahs in 1960. Nine of Waratahs first grade players were representing Riverina at Country Week carnival, and their loss was felt.

In May 1961, in The Rugby News members of the Country representative team were as follows:

BOB STEWART – Age 21, height 5ft. 11in., weight 11st 12lb. Waratahs Club, Wagga, Played for Riverina 1960, 1961, representing Country for the first time.

JIM LENEHAN – Age 22, height 6ft 1 in., weight 13st. 10lb. Waratahs Club, Wagga. Toured New Zealand with the Country team last year. Was a member of the Wallabies on the British tour 1957/1958 and New Zealand 1958. Vice-captain for N.S.W. and Australia against British Isles 1960. ²⁸

Waratahs first defeat of the season by Ag College (16-14) was exacerbated by the absence of several key players. Griffith had no answer to the Waratahs and couldn’t mount a sustained attack. The highlight of the first half was a spectacular 30-yard field goal by Jim Lenehan.

Although Waratahs were dominating most games, especially when they had their full complement of players, they were nevertheless seriously challenged by City, Army, Griffith and Ag College. Mick Millard had some brilliant matches. The Heggaton-Stewart-Ward backline combination worked almost perfectly. Phil Bassingthwaighte’s skill in consistently winning the ball from the lineout was an invaluable asset to the team. When Beres Ellwood and Jim Lenehan combined they were almost unbeatable. Waratahs played as a team, with the backs taking full advantage given them by the forwards.

In the semi-final against Griffith both teams were evenly matched and Waratahs had to fight for their narrow 14-11 win after trailing Griffith almost until the end.

Two sets of brothers played in the grand final: Bill and Mick Millard, Lynton and Mark Gooden. Both Mick and Mark played for another ten years and were instrumental in many premierships.

Waratahs aimed to win their third successive premiership. A deciding factor was thought to be Beres Ellwood’s inclusion in the backline with Jim Lenehan playing fullback. Griffith and Waratahs were well matched and it was anticipated that it would be a close, exciting contest.

Fullback – J Lenehan; Wingers – D Hamilton, L Gooden; Five eighth – R Stewart; Halfback – V Heggaton; Lock – P Bassingthwaighte; Second row – D Heckendorf; M Millard; Front row – L Walker, B Purcell, N Hollibone; Centres – B Ellwood, C Wood; Breakaways – W Millard, M Gooden; Reserves – P O’Halloran, R Foster, D Melville.

Waratahs again proved their dominance of Riverina Rugby Union with a 22-6 win over Griffith in the grand final. Except for the first ten minutes when both teams were settling down, Waratahs never looked like losing the match to Griffith who hardly attacked at all. 

Waratahs superiority was not only in the backline but also in the forwards where they won nearly all of the ball from set play and had the edge in the loose. Griffith did not combine well and were no match for the Waratahs.

The best try of the match was the result of a brilliant piece of work by Ellwood who broke through with four men in support and dazzled the Griffith defenders before passing for Lenehan to cross the line. ²⁹

1961 Team: Phil Bassingthwaighte, Beres Ellwood, R Foster, Linton Gooden, Mark Gooden, Dave Hamilton, Dave Heckendorf, Vaudon Heggaton, N Hollibone, Jim Lenehan, D Melville, M Millard, W Millard, Paul O’Halloran, Ben Purcell, Robert Stewart, Linton Walker, Col Wood.

Source: A History of the Wagga Wagga Waratahs’ Rugby Club 1959 – 2015

^{27 Neil Hollibone was English and was jackerooing at Bull’s Run
28 The Rugby News, May 6, 1961
29 The Daily Advertiser, Wagga Wagga}