Preamble: Very little information exists in the public arena about the formation of the Catholic Young Men (CYM) rugby and when it became St Michael’s. Wagga Ag College was founded in 1949, and it wasn’t until 1951 that Wagga City Rugby Club was formed thus ensuring a viable local competition, which also included R.A.A.F. and Wagga Wagga Teachers’ College. The first matches of the 1951 competition were played at the showground¹ and teams included R.A.A.F, North Wagga, Ag College, CYM and Wagga City. CYM were the runners-up to Wagga City in 1951. The competition expanded in 1952 to eight teams: Ag College, Wagga City, CYM, R.A.A.F. and Teachers College both entered two teams and Army appeared. CYM were Premiers in 1952. Only student and members of the defence forces could play for their respective institutions. The demise of St Michaels in the late 1950s meant that their members could only play for Wagga City which would have resulted in a lopsided competition – a contributing factor to the formation of the Wagga Wagga Waratahs Rugby Club.

CYM and St Michael’s Rugby Club

Written by Mark Gooden

Five years in the Riverina Rugby Competition with CYM and then St Michael’s are not without their memories, although fifty years ago. My brother, Lynton, was a regular with CYM from 1950, although he did play League for Lockhart on occasions. When I lined up in 1954, my five years of rugby at Riverview were a good background for Wagga club rugby. A former Wallaby, Jim Stenmark, was involved at this time. His son, James, was a great supporter of Waratahs in later times, often supplying the oranges, and Michael later played with the Waratahs.

Many names come to mind, including Tom Berrigan, Spider Waldron, Mark Hickson, Ken MacLean. Two or three played for Riverina in 1957 when they put up a splendid performance against the All Blacks. I know Spider scored at least one try as did Kevin Laffey from Wagga City.

In May 2006, John Winterbottom in his sports history column Back in 56 in The Daily Advertiser wrote “The youthful St. Michael’s established itself as a possible Wagga and District rugby union grand finalists with a good 11-3 win over City.” Jim Lenehan played during the school holidays as his family had moved to Wagga at that stage.

In 1957, St. Michael’s beat City in the semi-final, and played Ag College in the grand final. We lost the grand final in a very disappointing way. Such is football.

‘Wagga Agricultural College won both grand finals of the Wagga Rugby Union competition at the Wagga Cricket Ground. 1st XV defeated St. Michael’s 19-8 and reserve grade downed City 13-11. A large crowd watched the presentation of the Byrnes Cup to Agricultural College captain Bob Conolly by the Mayor of Wagga, Ivan Jack’. ⁵

George Gooden from Lockhart played that year and found union quite a breeze compared to playing league against Matt McCoy and Col Rockliffe from Griffith. Another famous Wallaby to have a run with St Michael’s was Dr. John Blomley, and what a thrill to play alongside him. However, his rekindled career came to an end when he attempted a penalty goal from our ten-yard line!!

Source: *A History of the Wagga Wagga Waratahs’ Rugby Club 1959 – 2015
^{5 The Daily Advertiser, Saturday and Sunday July 6 and 6 2008 – John Looking Back series
1} Page 13 Riverina Rugby Union Official Opening Conolly Rugby Park. Kevin Mallise, Editor.