Bruce Travers - I remember when...

Back in 1966 rugby was an amateur sport, the field was measured in yards, tries were worth three points and the numbering was from full back to prop. The only number the same as today was number 8. TV broadcasts were in black and white with no instant replies or referrals up stairs. Sport was sponsored by cigarette companies. Any sportsman worth his salt smoked Rothman's and full page newspaper ads made sure you knew it, while sophisticated women smoked Kent. Most importantly there was no breathalyser and as long as you could walk a straight line you could drive home from the club or hotel.

On 24th September 1966 history was made when Eastwood ran out at the Sydney Sports Ground (demolished in 1987 and now a car park for Sydney Football Stadium) to take on defending premiers Randwick in their first ever First Grade Grand Final. It was a David and Goliath affair with Randwick having eight Wallabies in their ranks. Their full back was in doubt and the papers reported it didn't matter if he played or not the whole Randwick back line were either Australian or NSW representatives. Up against them was an Eastwood back line made up in the main of players who were playing second division the year before.

Bruce Travers remembers the year well. Bruce had come across Eastwood Rugby Club as a refined place to have a quite drink after work and decided to join. In those days there was no slipping $5 across the counter and a quick photo. To join you had to be nominated and seconded by a member and then attend a meeting of the board dressed in a suit and explain why the club should admit you to membership. At the meeting he was ask would be willing to help out if required and wanting to impress he said yes. He was granted membership and thought nothing of his offer to help until he got a call reminding him of his pledge. At the 1965 AGM Bruce was elected Hon. Treasurer on the advice he would only have to attend one meeting a month. At the same meeting 67 year old Bryan Palmer was elected coach for the upcoming season. Bryan had played for the Wallabies in 1929 and coached the Wallabies in the early 1960. Bryan's long involvement in rugby was acknowledged with the naming of the Bryan Palmer Shield, a NSWPSSA rugby competition currently held by Newport Primary School.

1965 had not been the best year for the club finishing second last in First Grade. To make amends they set about a recruitment drive on the back of the new coach targeting a number of young players from the Teachers College team playing in the Second Division competition. Once they got a couple across a “bring your friends” invitation was made and soon Eastwood had a number of fresh faces for the 1966 season complimented by some long surviving players like the Taylor brothers and Chris Wheadon who would each have played over 100 games for the club by season end. Players with a Teachers College connection were Ron Sutton, Neville Dayman, John Spooner, Neil McPherson, John Ballesty, Alan Peterson and Kevin Farrell. The season would start with eight new players in their line up and a new captain in half back Neil McPherson. Neil would captain the side for the 22 Rounds and was replaced as captain for the finals by Dick Taylor.

Bruce gradually discovered it was more than one night a week. One of his responsibilities as Hon. Treasurer was to collect fees and a charge for cleaning uniforms. It meant sitting at the gate each game day to collect money from the players. Also attending training to collect fees became an extra requirement of his attendance at the ground and club. One of his first decisions as Treasurer was to delegate cleaning money collection to the team managers.

Bruce recollects his first game sitting at the gate at Millner collecting money as players turned up. When Chris Wheadon and Ross Latham, who didn't know from a bar of soap, turned up claiming to have no money Bruce stood his ground. Having to deal with collecting money from Earthmoving contractors he wasn't going to let these two get one over him. Bruce thinks it was set up and the gate attendant was in on it. But he doesn't know for sure. They both paid up and joined the team who went on to win their opening game of the season 23 – 9 against St. George.

With two rounds to go Eastwood were guaranteed to make the finals for the first time since 1954 if they at least drew with Sydney University. The game was played at Millner and the crowd went wild when the referee blew full time with the scores locked at 11 a piece. They were in the finals.

Eastwood finished Third and played Northern Suburbs in the minor semi-final, which they won 21 – 9 while in the major semi-final Randwick had a 19 – 6 victory over Manly. Eastwood faced Manly, who had beaten them in the last round, at the Sydney Sports Ground in the Final and took the match 23 – 11 and their first appearance in a Grand Final was just one week away.

Grand Final day was hectic. Fourth Grade had also made the Grand Final but with only three games allowed to be played at the Sports Ground Fourths had to play their match over at David Phillips Field Darcyville.

Bruce recalled in the week leading up to the Grand Final Bryan Palmer had made statements in the press that he hoped none of the Wallabies playing for Randwick would get hurt and miss out on their tour to the old country. “There was a feeling amongst some of us back at the club after the game that when Phil Smith was taken off with his dislocated shoulder the team dropped its intensity as if remembering Bryan's words. Either way it was an upbeat feeling at the club afterwards even though we had lost.” Bruce recalled.

Our first Grand Final ended in a 30 – 11 loss to Randwick in front of a crowd of 12,564. Eastwood were down 14 – 0 at half time and got it back to 17 – 11 before Randwick run in some late points. Phil Smith dislocation was not as bad as first thought and he joined the Wallabies a few weeks later. Dick Taylor would also get a late call up to replace an underfed Ross Cullen who was sent home for biting an opponents ear. Ross was born in New Zealand and played for Eastwood in second grade before moving to Queensland.

The club had high hopes of going one further after the success of 1966 but it would be10 years before another Grand Final appearance and 33 years before we finally won our first First Grade premiership. Bruce, his wife Elizabeth and their son Wayne still attend most home games watching from the hill and remain avid Woodies supporters.