RUGBY LEAGUE GREAT BRITAIN 1958 AHES TEST SERIES

Great Britain Rugby League. On their 11th tour to Australia and New Zealand. Great Britain played 26 games between May and August 1958. And this included five Tests. Three in Australia and two in New Zealand.

The Lions were coached by Workington Town manager and former Leeds full-back Jim Brough. Furthermore, the team was the youngest squad ever to tour the southern hemisphere.

Rugby League Great Britain’s Travel Delays

Also, on their flight to Australia. The Lions’ travel arrangements were not going very well. This started with a six-hour delay at London Airport. This was followed by further trouble in Zurich, Switzerland. Where there was an issue with the plane’s fuel system. This delayed them for a further 37 hours. However, the players maintained high spirits throughout their ordeal. They arrived in Sydney with less than 48 hours before their first game kicked off.

In the 1958 Ashes Series. Great Britain lost the first test 25-8 to the Kangaroos in Sydney.

Second Test Captain plays on with Broken Arm

In the second test, Rugby League Great Britain  Lions were inspired by captain Alan Prescott. He played on until the end. This despite breaking his right arm. He did this in the 3rd minute of the game. Great Britain levelled the series at 1–all with a 25–18 win over Australia in Brisbane.
The injury ended Prescott’s tour as a player. At half time, Prescott was offered a pain killing injection. But, he refused. He said to team manager, Tom Mitchell “I’m not coming off, Tom. This would make us two men short. We have got to win, so I am going to help the boys”. Rugby League Great Britain also lost Dave Bolton. He left the field with a broken collar bone after just 17 minutes.

Rugby League Great Britain Class Half-Back Alex Murphy

Vince Karalius and Brian McTigue provided the muscle. In addition, teenage scrum-half Alex Murphy provided the class. As a result, the Lions had the measure of Australia.

Great Britain won The Ashes. They won with a comprehensive 40–17 victory over Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. View the RANGE
Finally, as he had done in the second test match in Brisbane. Furthermore, Rugby League Great Britain Lions 19 year old St Helens scrum-half sensation. Alex Murphy tormented the home side. And was awarded the Man of the Match. Read the full REPORT