The 1970 inaugural season was marked by the rare feat of running last in each of the three grades. Both ‘A’ & ‘B’ Grades went winless while ‘C’ Grade won 2 games and drew 2 others to amass a total of 6 competition points. Each foundation player had the distinction of being presented with an engraved wooden spoon as a memento of their first season as a Shammie.

1970 season results for A, B, and C Grade teams, including match outcomes, points for and against, and competition placings.

Fortunately, many of the pre-amalgamation players who had deserted the Club in its inaugural year saw the error of their ways and returned to bolster the ranks for Season 2. Playing in a new all-white jersey there was much improvement in the on-field performances with the club celebrating 16 famous victories. The first ever win for ‘A’ Grade was one of them – against Port Kembla Surf. The Firsts team accumulated the grand total of 3 points with the other point coming from a draw against Vikings. This tally was just enough to retain the treasured wooden spoon. The ‘B’ Grade side recorded 11 wins, a draw and 4 losses to finish third on the table only to fall to Kiama 13-6 in the minor semi final. The ‘C’ Graders won five matches and thereby successfully lifted themselves from the bottom of the table.

This season was notable in that it was the year that the IDRU introduced the Club Championship trophy which they named the George Tipper Trophy (George was a Waratah stalwart and IDRU Life Member). Shamrocks finished a creditable 5th on the table behind the winners Teachers College, a pretty good result for the young club. (Note: Shamrocks has never finished at the bottom of the Club Championship since its inception.)

Back: K Crick, R Gilmour, C Campbell, H Kersten, P McAndrew, M O’Brien, D Owen, C Whittaker,
P Humphries Centre: W. Blanch, D Ronald, C Downie, B Cooney, P Crick, C Filan, S Clarke, T Nutt.
Front: B Kelsey, S Saunders, W George, G Tresidder, A Fitzgerald, A Nutt, E Ambler. Ball Boy: B Nutt

There were two milestones in 1972: Firstly, the ‘Rocks celebrated their first win in all three grades. To quote the Illawarra Mercury: “Irish eyes are smiling at last, with the Cinderella club Woonona Shamrocks winning all three grades against the Waratahs club”. Secondly, Woonona Shamrocks magnificent ‘B’ Grade side coached by the already veteran Billy Blanch improved on last year’s efforts by winning the Club’s first premiership after finishing second on the ladder. Although the Rocks went down to Vikings in the minor semi, they bounced back to thrash Teachers in the preliminary final and then turned the tables on the Blues in the one that matters, defeating them in a hard fought battle to the tune of 7-6.

The First Shamrocks to be chosen to represent Illawarra were Dave Mayor, Bobby Brown and Harry Kersten in the early 70s, and the First win by the Shamrocks Firsts was on 24 April 1971 when they defeated Port Kembla Surf 24-8. Tries were scored by Jeff Murrell, Dale Owen, Terry Nutt and Harry Kersten (2), with Jeff Murrell kicking 2 conversions and a penalty goal and Harry Kersten landing a conversion.

The First Woonona Shamrocks team to qualify for a Finals series was the 1971 “B” Grade team. In the words of the Illawarra Mercury: “The jostling for semi final positions is over. The success story of the season must go to Woonona Shamrocks B Grade team. Last season they could not win a game. This year it won 11 and finished third behind Teachers College and Vikings (co-minor premiers). Coach Billy Blanch has moulded an enthusiastic group of players into possible premiership material. The stars of the Shamrocks comeback have been inside backs Neil Gilmour, Frank Peterson and Sam Cooney. Neil Gilmour who switched from the Thirroul Butchers earlier this year has led his backs well and is a capable goal kicker in his own right. The team will meet Kiama at Teachers College Oval in a sudden death semi final with the loser bowing out.” Shamrocks bowed out in an upset 13-6 loss, but they became the Clubs First Premiership Team the next year in 1972 when under Coach Billy Blanch they thrashed Vikings 7-6 in the Grand Final.

1974 was described by the Mercury as a disappointing year, and 1975-1977 were described as quiet years with results below expectations. But it was all about to change.

Back row: B Marshall, D Meehan, P Craig, S Baulch, M Smith, G Pymont, C Whittaker, H Kersten, B Aylett, H Allen, B Everitt, P McAndrew, B Hall, S Organ
Front Row: G Bott, P Harkin, A Mills, R Sheppard, D Hasler (C-C), R Sharwood, R Bottom, B Fergusson, Ball Boy: A Smith

1978 proved to be the biggest year yet for the club. New coach Barry Stumbles brought professionalism and motivational skills to the club, turning the culture around by generating an enthusiasm amongst the players for training and raising their fitness levels. This, combined with a strong will to win, saw the Shamrocks come a close second in the ‘A’ Grade competition and minor premiers in both ‘B’ and ‘C’ grades with a net result being a very close second in the Club Championship – the highest position the Club had ever reached. All grades therefore played in the major semi-finals, with all three winning their way to the Grand Finals. These semi-finals included victories over Vikings in ‘A’ & ‘B’ Grades – the first time Shamrocks had ever beaten the Blue team in ‘A’ Grade. Grand Final day proved to be one of mixed emotions, with a massive pro-green crowd in attendance cheering early as coach Dick Hasler lifted the ‘C’ Grade premiership trophy after a tough 9-3 win over Teachers.

Unfortunately, Vikings turned the tables on the ‘Rocks in the other two deciders, with Geoff Murrell’s ‘B’ graders falling 8-6, and the ‘A’ Graders succumbing 15-8 in what was described as one of the most entertaining Grand Finals for 15 years.

Another milestone for the Club was the selection of Peter Lucas as the first Shamrock to represent NSW Country – playing against Sydney and the touring Welsh team. Grahame Tresidder became the first Shamrock to etch his name on an IDRU award by being the Districts Highest Point scorer.

Back: K Roney, B Nutt, C Gamble, R Mercer, G Ryan, R Meijer, R Gilmour, J Semkin, P Lucas, B Stumbles
Front: L Duffy, P Howard, R Mitchell, P Pilcher, K Mungoven, B Marshall, G Magee
(Ball Boy: M Roney).

A FIRST GRADE PREMIERSHIP – Shamrocks First, came the following year in 1979. The success and enthusiasm generated during 1978 carried on into this season, with the Club again finishing second in the Club Championship. Barry Stumbles in his second year at the helm introduced even more unique motivational strategies as the green machine powered in to the second half of the season. These included carrying personalized house bricks on runs around the district, (including up hospital hill) and pushing heavy trucks around just for fun. His techniques helped build an intense spirit in the team and after finishing third on the ladder, the Rocks stormed through the minor finals to qualify against minor premiers Vikings for the decider. In cold and blustery conditions at Wollongong Showground, Shamrocks overcame their rivals in blue 4-0 thanks to a second half try to Rod Gilmour off a Kerry Mungovan kick into the western corner in front of a grandstand filled with an extremely vocal crowd of green supporters. Unfortunately for Billy Blanch’s ‘B’ Graders, Shamrocks were again to be bridesmaids for the second year in a row falling 4-16 to the nemesis Vikings in the Grand Final.

At the conclusion of its first decade Woonona Shamrocks had established itself as solid, reliable and successful club, albeit a bit rebellious, with Nicholson Park as its fortress. Club spirit was well developed, and Shamrocks had a reputation for playing tough, uncompromising, and no frills rugby on the field and for fearless and tireless joviality and camaraderie off it. The club had a special badge struck with the unofficial motto “Insertavii Shamrocken” which is roughly translated from the Latin as: “Get a Shamrock up Ya.”

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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.