SIDELINES

Press, 1 July 1983, Page 10

SIDELINES

SOUTH BRIGHTON surf lifesaving in particular, and the sport in Canterbury generally, lost a much-value enthusiast and coach with the death this week of hr Gurr. A former bomber pilot with the R.A.F., Mr Gurr did not win his surf award until the age of 32, hence his main activity was as an official rather than as a competitor. But he achieved outstanding results as a sixman coach. In 1977, he probably reached a personal pinnacle when the South Brighton men’s team whic‘h included his eldest son, Chris — won the Nelson Shield ... BUT HE had even more astonishing results with women’s teams and in the 19605. South Brighton teams won an unmatched seven consecutive titles. He was also patrol organiser for the South Brighton club, a carnival official, and won a high honour with the New Zealand service award. He is survived by his four sons, three of whom — Chris, lan and Paul — won national titles or placings. QUITE A FEW New Zealanders have been singled out for special praise by the British publication, Open Rugby, in its review of the 1982-83 British rugby league club season. Gary Kemble (Hull) and Danny Campbell (Wigan) were named as “players of the year” for their teams, and Dean Bell (Carlisle) and Robbie Muller (Warrington) were chosen as “rookies of the year.. Gary Prohm was equal top try-scorer for Hull Kingston Rovers and James Leuluai (Hull) was ninth among all try-scorers in Britain even though he had a long, spell on the sidelines because of injury. Bell and Leuluai are the centres and Campbell one of the props in the magazine s “first division form team for 1982-83.” NOT ALL the entertainment at the World Cup cricket tournament came from the players in the middle. When the New Zealanders played England at Birmingham, there were two startling announcements over the public address system. “Your attention please. Would Miss Vicky Stewart please report to the players’ entrance” brought hoots of laughter and wolf whistles. The second was: “Mr X: your wife has just given birth to twins.” Contradicting all preconceived ideas about British gravity, 15,000 people clapped and cheered. THE INCREDIBLE depth of forward talent at the Manly-Warringah Rugby League Club in Sydney was very evident earlier this month. On the day that Manly provided five forwards to the Australian team which met New Zealand at Carlaw Park, it still had call on five more internationals for its premiership game against Illawarra. Max Krilich, Paul Vautin, Geoff Gerard, Dave Brown and Paul McCabe were in Auckland; the quintet which opposed Illawarra comprised Les Boyd (originally chosen for the test before withdrawing with injury), Ray Brown, lan Thomson, Bruce Walker and lan Schubert. And, of course, Manly had an “old boy” in the Kiwi front-row — Mark Broadhurst, who is now with Illawarra.