Memorable Games The Magnificent 7

In late February 1975 at Kiama Showground Shamrock Officials were organizing the three teams to play in the Annual 7’s Tournament. One the eve of the tournament a Kiama Official had asked Shammies to field three teams instead of the two that had been nominated, as one of the Country teams had withdrawn. The first two teams were selected and looked good on paper, the third team picked itself as there were only 7 players left, all forwards:- Barry Johnston, Jan Hicks, Bruce Fergusson, Bill Tiller, Rick Sheppard, Henry Allen, Dave Thompson. Upon inspection of the draw it was discovered that Shammies First team had drawn Randwick Seconds, while the Seconds and Thirds had drawn Technical College and Waratahs respectively. Despair crept over Shamrocks as the Club Officials did not want the First’s knocked out in the First Round. So they did what any self respecting Rugby officials would do, they swapped the First’s and Third’s around.

The ground was very soft after a week of rain, and about ten minutes prior to the Rocks/Randwick game the heavens opened and the rain fell in buckets. As the teams took the field the Grandstand filled as it was the only dry area in the Showground. “This will be a laugh” other spectators were saying as Randwick started in typical “Galloping Greens” fashion. Shamrocks looked slow and ponderous against the well drilled machine from Randwick. Shamrocks plan was simple, tackle like hell and if you get the ball kick the S—T out of it. A gale force wind was blowing and Shamrocks had the advantage, however you would not have thought so as Randwick attacked incessantly. Wave after wave of Randwick players assaulted Shamrocks try line only to be repelled in true Gallipoli spirit. Randwick bombed many opportunities by either knocking on selfishness of trying to score when having two or three players overlap.

A team of determined underdogs united by resilience, camaraderie, and a shared passion for the game.

Nearing half time and with Shammies in possession of rare ball, a big foot was put to the ball and the wind carried it high and long. All the players stopped running except one. When the ball came down in the in goal area it was obviously going over the dead ball line. Bruce Fergusson with his vast knowledge of Kiama Showground knew the dead ball line extended onto the bicycle track and the ball had stopped dead in a pool of water. Fergusson casually placed his hand on the ball and to Randwick’s dismay the Referee awarded a try: – 4-0 Shamrocks.

A defining era for the club’s underdog spirit.

In the Second Half Randwick came out breathing fire, Shamrocks came out breathing Brown Muscat. The Magnificent 7 tackled, tackled and tackled, the large crowd started supporting Shamrocks as a boilover was imminent. Only 3 minutes to go, 2 minutes, 1 minute and Shamrocks through a combination of forward power, skill and luck found themselves 10 metres from the Randwick try line. A full on 7 man maul ground their way to the try line, metre after metre and with 3 metres to go, Billy “The Postman” Tiller burst from the pack. Sprinting with players hanging off him he lunged for the try line. A try was awarded as a tumultuous roar erupted from the Grandstand. As the siren sounded the Shamrock song was echoing around the ground and the scoreboard showed Shamrocks 8 – Randwick 0.

In the dressing room the Rockies players and supporters were celebrating to the sounds of ring pull cans popping; the singing and back slapping only subsided when the Coach of Randwick – Mr. Geoff Sayle entered the room. He said only three words “Well played Shamrocks”.

Post note: In the next round the Magnificent 7 played Eastern Suburbs (Canberra) and lost 0 – 38

---

Excerpt from “50 Years of Rugby: The Woonona Way” by Mick Traynor, documenting the history of the Woonona Shamrocks Rugby Union Football Club from 1970 to 2019. Reproduced with permission from the author.

To read more of the book, you can download it here.