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1954 Great Britain Lions tour

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1954 Great Britain Lions tour
ManagerHector Rawson
Tom Hesketh
Tour captain(s)Dickie Williams
Top point scorer(s)Lewis Jones (278)
Top try scorer(s)Billy Boston (36)
Top test point scorer(s)Lewis Jones (50)
Top test try scorer(s)Billy Boston (6)
Summary
P W D L
Total
32 21 1 10
Test match
6 3 0 3
Opponent
P W D L
 Australia
3 1 0 2
 New Zealand
3 2 0 1
Tour chronology
Previous tour1950
Next tour1958

The 1954 Great Britain Lions tour was a tour by the Great Britain national rugby league team of Australia and New Zealand which took place between May and August 1954. Captained by Dickie Williams, the tour involved a schedule of 32 games: 22 in Australia and 10 in New Zealand, with two three-match Test Series against both nations.
The tour began inauspiciously, with Great Britain losing four of their first seven matches, including the First Test against Australia in Sydney. Moving into the Queensland leg, the Lions' results improved, and they won all nine of their matches in the state. This included victory in the Second Test in Brisbane.
A common feature of many of the tour matches was rough play, punches being throw in and out of tackles. The July 10 match against New South Wales was abandoned by the referee seventeen minutes into the second half due to persistent brawling by the players.
One week after the abandoned game, Australia won the Third Test to claim the Ashes by a 2–1 margin.
Moving to New Zealand, Great Britain lost the Second Test, but recovered to win the Third Test and the series, by a 2–1 margin.
The tour concluded with three matches in five days back in Australia at Sydney, Canberra and Maitland.
Despite being a British team – five of the squad were Welsh, two from Scotland and hooker Tom McKinney from Northern Ireland – the team played, and were often referred to by both the press at home and away, as England.

Squad

[edit]

This was the first Lions tour where the touring party travelled to Australia by air, instead of by ship.[1]

Player Pos. Age
[nb 1]
Weight Club Tests
on
Tour
Games
in

Aus
Games
in

NZ
[nb 2]
Tries Goals FG Points
[nb 3]
Ernie Ashcroft Centre 29 13 st. 0 lb. (83 kg) Wigan 5 11 11 0 0 33
Billy Boston Wing 20 13 st. 9 lb. (87 kg) Wigan 5 12 36 0 0 108
Jim Bowden Prop 22 14 st. 5 lb. (91 kg) Huddersfield 3 13 2 0 0 6
Brian Briggs Second-row 21 14 st. 0 lb. (89 kg) Huddersfield 1 11 3 0 0 9
Alf Burnell Halfback 26 12 st. 4 lb. (78 kg) Hunslet 1 10 7 0 0 21
Ted Cahill Fullback 27 12 st. 0 lb. (76 kg) Rochdale Hornets 8 0 14 0 28
Frank Castle Wing 29 5 st. 9 lb. (36 kg) Barrow 1 4 6 0 0 18
Jack Cunliffe Fullback 31 11 st. 9 lb. (74 kg) Wigan 1 10 9 29 0 85
Doug Greenall Centre 26 11 st. 6 lb. (73 kg) St Helens 1 14 13 0 0 39
Geoff Gunney Second-row 20 14 st. 10 lb. (93 kg) Hunslet 3 10 6 0 0 18
Tommy Harris Hooker 25 12 st. 10 lb. (81 kg) Hull 2 8 2 0 0 6
Gerry Helme Halfback 31 11 st. 0 lb. (70 kg) Warrington 5 12 5 0 0 15
John Henderson Prop 24 14 st. 7 lb. (92 kg) Workington 11 1 0 0 3
Phil Jackson Centre 22 13 st. 10 lb. (87 kg) Barrow 6 12 7 0 0 21
Lewis Jones Centre 23 12 st. 6 lb. (79 kg) Leeds 6 13 8 125 2 278
Tom McKinney Hooker 26 14 st. 7 lb. (92 kg) Salford 4 15 2 0 0 6
Terry O'Grady Wing 19 12 st. 10 lb. (81 kg) Oldham 5 10 28 0 0 84
Charlie Pawsey Second-row 29 14 st. 13 lb. (95 kg) Leigh 4 12 3 0 0 9
Alan Prescott Prop 26 14 st. 10 lb. (93 kg) St Helens 6 13 1 0 0 3
Raymond Price Five-eighth 29 11 st. 11 lb. (75 kg) Warrington 3 12 8 0 0 24
Nat Silcock Second-row 24 15 st. 2 lb. (96 kg) Wigan 3 14 6 0 0 18
Ken Traill Lock 28 14 st. 0 lb. (89 kg) Bradford Northern 2 11 1 0 0 3
Andrew Turnbull Wing 23 11 st. 7 lb. (73 kg) Barrow 2 2 0 0 6
Dave Valentine Lock 27 13 st. 10 lb. (87 kg) Huddersfield 5 13 6 0 0 18
Jack Wilkinson Prop 24 14 st. 8 lb. (93 kg) Halifax 3 14 5 0 0 15
Dickie Williams Five-eighth 29 11 st. 4 lb. (72 kg) Hunslet 3 12 8 0 0 24
  1. ^ Age as given in the Rugby League News for the first match against New South Wales
  2. ^ Other than the Test Matches, team lists for the tour matches in New Zealand not available to the author at the time of page creation.
  3. ^ Tally excludes the match vs North Island, apart from Lewis Jones' one try and nine goals in that match.

Australian leg

[edit]
May 19 Western Division 11–29 Great Britain Bathurst Showground, Bathurst
Tries: 1
Keith Deacon
Goals: 4
Ken Fogarty (4)
Team[2]
Report[3]
Tries: 5
Billy Boston (2)
Alf Burnell
Nat Silcock
Terry O'Grady
Goals: 7
Lewis Jones (7)

Attendance: 5,281
Gate: AU£ 1,289
Referee: Dave Cohen
Team list:

Western Division: FB: Ron Beaumont ( Canowindra), WG: P. Weldon (Trangie), CE: Joe Cohen ( Wellington), CE: Laurie Burke ( St Patrick's), WG: Peter Marks ( Warren), FE: Peter Bracken ( Parkes), HB: Keith Deacon (Dubbo), LK: R. Harben ( Baradine), SR: Frank Hogan ( St Patrick's), SR: Ron Potter (Our Boys), PR: R. Border (Coonabarabran), HK: Ken Fogarty ( Forbes), PR: Bryan Cameron (Trangie), Coach: Frank Bell (Arms Factory).
Great Britain: FB: Jack Cunliffe, WG: Billy Boston, CE: Terry O'Grady, CE: Doug Greenall, WG: Lewis Jones, FE: Phil Jackson, HB: Alf Burnell, LK: Ken Traill, SR: Brian Briggs, SR: Nat Silcock, PR: Jim Bowden, HK: Tom McKinney, PR: John Henderson.


May 22 Newcastle 11–10 Great Britain Newcastle Sports Ground, Newcastle
Tries: 1
Bobby Banks
Goals: 4
Dave Parkinson (4)
Teams[4][5]
Report[6]
Tries: 2
Frank Castle
Andrew Turnbull
Goals: 2
Ted Cahill (2)

Attendance: 22,825
Gate: AU£ 3,880
Referee: J. Underwood
Team list:

Newcastle: FB: Dave Parkinson (age 31) ( Cessnock), WG: Bill Callinan ( Maitland), CE: Geoff Hawkey (20) ( Centrals), CE: Frank Threlfo (22) ( Maitland), WG: Don Adams (21) ( Maitland), FE: Merv Walters ( Cessnock), HB: Bobby Banks (24) ( Waratah Mayfield), LK: Barry Levido (24) ( Cessnock), SR: Don Schofield (23) ( Cessnock), SR: Doug Chappell (23) ( Kurri), PR: Fred Brown (26) ( Maitland), HK: Bob Crane (30) ( Norths), PR: Doug Hawke (24) ( Norths), Coach: Frank Hawthorne ( Centrals).
Great Britain: FB: Ted Cahill, WG: Andrew Turnbull, CE: Doug Greenall, CE: Ernie Ashcroft, WG: Frank Castle, FE: Raymond Price, HB: Gerry Helme, LK: Dave Valentine, SR: Charlie Pawsey, SR: Brian Briggs, PR: Alan Prescott, HK: Tommy Harris, PR: Jack Wilkinson.


May 26 Riverina 26–36 Great Britain Wagga Showground, Wagga Wagga
2.30pm
Tries: 4
Jim Denaher (2)
Doug Cameron (2)
Goals: 7
Johnny Graves (7)
Teams[7][8]
Report[9][10]
Photo[11]
Tries: 8
Charlie Pawsey
Ernie Ashcroft
Tom McKinney
Andrew Turnbull
Phil Jackson
Geoff Gunney
Terry O'Grady
Alf Burnell
Goals: 6
Ted Cahill (6)

Attendance: 10,732
Gate: AU£ 1,565
Referee: Eric McIlhatton
Team list:

Riverina: FB: Peter McGrath ( Temora), WG: Johnny Graves ( Cootamundra), CE: Wal Towers ( Gundagai), CE: Gerry Lowe ( Cowra), WG: Jim Denaher (Ungarie), FE: Brian Longhurst ( Gundagai), HB: Doug Cameron ( Young), LK: Peter O'Connor ( Young), SR: Len Henman ( Temora), SR: Kenneth Fitzgerald ( Tarcutta), PR: Nevyl Hand ( Gundagai), HK: Ken Mulrooney ( Kangaroos), PR: G. Robinson ( Young).
Albert Paul ( Griffith) and Tom Ryan ( Temora) were selected but withdrew owing to injury.
Great Britain: FB: Ted Cahill, WG: Andrew Turnbull, CE: Phil Jackson, CE: Ernie Ashcroft, WG: Terry O'Grady, FE: Dickie Williams, HB: Alf Burnell, LK: Ken Traill, SR: Geoff Gunney, SR: Charlie Pawsey, PR: John Henderson, HK: Tom McKinney, PR: Jim Bowden.


May 29 Sydney 32–25 Great Britain Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Tries: 6
Johnny Dougherty (3)
Merv Lees
Keith Holman
Roy Bull
Goals: 7
Clive Churchill (7)
Program
Report[12][13]
Tries: 5
Dickie Williams
Lewis Jones
Dave Valentine
Billy Boston
John Henderson
Goals: 5
Lewis Jones (5)

Attendance: 50,889
Gate: AU£ 7,115
Referee: Darcy Lawler
Team list:

Sydney: FB: Clive Churchill (age 27) ( Souths), WG: Ross Kite (22) ( St George), CE: Dick Poole (23) ( Newtown), CE: Merv Lees (21) ( St George), WG: Kevin Hole (21) ( St George), FE: Johnny Dougherty (22) ( Souths), HB: Keith Holman (26) ( Wests), LK: Harold Crocker (26) ( Parramatta), SR: Norm Provan (22) ( St George), SR: Jack Rayner (33) ( Souths), PR: Roy Bull (24) ( Manly), HK: Ken Kearney (28) ( St George), PR: Don Evenden (24) ( Norths).
Great Britain: FB: Jack Cunliffe, WG: Billy Boston, CE: Doug Greenall, CE: Ernie Ashcroft, WG: Lewis Jones, FE: Dickie Williams, HB: Gerry Helme, LK: Dave Valentine, SR: Nat Silcock, SR: Jack Wilkinson, PR: Jim Bowden, HK: Tommy Harris, PR: John Henderson.


May 30 Southern Division 17–17 Great Britain Wollongong Showground, Wollongong
Tries: 3
Darcy Russell
Harry Wells
Col Donohue
Goals: 4
Darcy Russell (4)
Team[14]
Report[15][16]
Tries: 3
Terry O'Grady (2)
Frank Castle
Goals: 4
Ted Cahill (3)
Jack Cunliffe

Attendance: 15,435
Gate: AU£ 2,573
Referee: Harold Gillard
Team list:

Southern Division: FB: Darcy Russell ( Wests), WG: Brian Carlson (21) ( C.B.C.), CE: Harry Wells (22) ( Wollongong), CE: Johnny Rouse ( Nowra), WG: Jack Lumsden ( Wests), FE: Col Donohue ( Corrimal), HB: Noel Hill ( Thirroul), SR: Noel Mulligan (28) ( C.B.C.), SR: Angus Miller ( Berry), LK: Jack Quinn ( Gerringong), PR: Austin Lawler ( C.B.C.), HK: Neville Gosson (Bargo), PR: Bruce Noble (21) ( Jamberoo).
Great Britain: FB: Ted Cahill, WG: Terry O'Grady, CE: Doug Greenall, CE: Jack Cunliffe, WG: Frank Castle, FE: Raymond Price, HB: Alf Burnell, LK: Ken Traill, SR: Dave Valentine, SR: Charlie Pawsey, PR: Alan Prescott, HK: Tom McKinney, PR: Jack Wilkinson.


June 5 New South Wales 22–11 Great Britain Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Tries: 4
Keith Holman
Roy Bull
Noel Pidding
Brian Carlson
Goals: 5
Clive Churchill (3)
Noel Pidding (2)
Program
Report[17][18]
Tries: 3
Frank Castle (3)
Goals: 1
Ted Cahill

Attendance: 55,518
Gate: AU£ 8,062
Referee: Jack O'Brien
Team list:

New South Wales: FB: Clive Churchill (age 27) ( Souths), WG: Noel Pidding (27) ( Maitland), CE: Dick Poole (23) ( Newtown), CE: Harry Wells (22) ( Wollongong), WG: Brian Carlson (21) ( C.B.C. Wollongong), FE: Johnny Dougherty (22) ( Souths), HB: Keith Holman (26) ( Wests), LK: Harold Crocker (26) ( Parramatta), SR: Norm Provan (22) ( St George), SR: Jack Rayner (33) ( Souths), PR: Roy Bull (28) ( Manly), HK: Ken Kearney (24) ( St George), PR: Jim Evans (24) ( Newtown).
The following were named as reserves but did not play: Bill Garvin (22) ( Balmain) and Barry Levido (22) ( Cessnock).
Great Britain: FB: Ted Cahill, WG: Terry O'Grady, CE: Doug Greenall, CE: Ernie Ashcroft, WG: Frank Castle, FE: Phil Jackson, HB: Gerry Helme, LK: Dave Valentine, SR: Nat Silcock, SR: Charlie Pawsey, PR: Alan Prescott, HK: Tom McKinney, PR: Jack Wilkinson.


1st Test

[edit]
Team list:

Australia: FB: Clive Churchill (age 27) ( South Sydney), WG: Noel Pidding (27) ( Maitland), CE: Ken McCaffery (22) ( Toowoomba Souths), CE: Alex Watson (24) ( Brisbane Western Suburbs), WG: Brian Carlson (21) ( C.B.C. Wollongong), FE: Bob Banks (23) ( Toowoomba Newtown), HB: Keith Holman (26) ( Western Suburbs), LK: Harold Crocker (26) ( Parramatta), SR: Norm Provan (22) ( St George), SR: Kel O'Shea (20) (Ayr), PR: Roy Bull (28) ( Manly-Warringah), HK: Ken Kearney (28) ( St George), PR: Duncan Hall (28) ( Brisbane Western Suburbs).
The following were named as reserves but did not play: Harry Wells (22) ( Wollongong) and Brian Davies (23) ( Booval Swifts).
Great Britain: FB: Jack Cunliffe, WG: Lewis Jones, CE: Ernie Ashcroft, CE: Phil Jackson, WG: Frank Castle, FE: Raymond Price, HB: Gerry Helme, LK: Ken Traill, SR: Dave Valentine, SR: Nat Silcock, PR: Alan Prescott, HK: Tom McKinney, PR: Jack Wilkinson.


June 14 Brisbane 4–34 Great Britain Brisbane Exhibition Ground, Brisbane
Tries: 0
Goals: 2
Norm Pope (2)
Team[23][24]
Report[25]
Report[26][27]
Tries: 8
Terry O'Grady (3)
Gerry Helme (2)
Billy Boston
Lewis Jones
Brian Briggs
Goals: 5
Lewis Jones (5)

Attendance: 20,000
Gate: AU£ 2,875
Referee: T. Hempenstall
Team list:

Brisbane: FB: Norm Pope (22) ( Valleys), WG: Wally McDonald (27) ( Valleys), CE: Noel Hurley ( Valleys), CE: Alex Watson (22) ( Wests), WG: Garry Barnett ( Valleys), FE: Keith Brown ( Wynnum), HB: Ken Booth ( Easts), LK: Jack Jones ( Valleys), SR: Stan Hassum ( Norths), SR: Norm McFadden ( Valleys), PR: Duncan Hall (28) ( Wests), HK: Johnny Flynn ( Wests), PR: Don Davey ( Norths).
Leo Johnson ( Souths) was selected in the Brisbane team but did not play owing to injury.
Great Britain: FB: Ted Cahill, WG: Billy Boston, CE: Phil Jackson, CE: Lewis Jones, WG: Terry O'Grady, FE: Dickie Williams, HB: Gerry Helme, LK: Dave Valentine, SR: Brian Briggs, SR: Charlie Pawsey, PR: Jim Bowden, HK: Tommy Harris, PR: John Henderson.


June 19 Queensland 32–34 Great Britain Brisbane Cricket Ground, Brisbane
Tries: 6
Ken McCaffery (2)
Bob Buckley
Alex Watson
Denis Flannery
Duncan Hall
Goals: 7
Norm Pope (7)
Team[28]
Report[29][30]
Tries: 8
Billy Boston (3)
Lewis Jones
Terry O'Grady
Gerry Helme
Dave Valentine
Charlie Pawsey
Goals: 5
Lewis Jones (5)

Attendance: 29,000
Gate: AU£ 5,244
Referee: Frank Ballard
Team list:

Queensland: FB: Norm Pope (age 22) ( Valleys), WG: Bob Buckley (23) (Ayr), CE: Alex Watson (22) ( Wests), CE: Ken McCaffery (24) ( Toowoomba Souths), WG: Denis Flannery (26) ( Ipswich Brothers), FE: Bob Banks (23) ( Toowoomba Newtown), HB: Cyril Connell Jr (26) ( Toowoomba Newtown), LK: Kel O'Shea (20) (Ayr), SR: Brian Davies (24) ( Booval Swifts), SR: Bernie Drew (25) ( Ipswich Railways), PR: Duncan Hall (28) ( Wests), HK: Alan Hornery (28) ( Booval Swifts), PR: Jack Rooney (27) ( Toowoomba All Whites).
Great Britain: FB: Ted Cahill, WG: Billy Boston, CE: Phil Jackson, CE: Lewis Jones, WG: Terry O'Grady, FE: Dickie Williams, HB: Gerry Helme, LK: Dave Valentine, SR: Brian Briggs, SR: Charlie Pawsey, PR: Jim Bowden, HK: Tom McKinney, PR: John Henderson.


June 20 Wide Bay 14–60 Great Britain Maryborough Showgrounds, Maryborough
Tries: 2
Cec Cooper
Noel Hawthorne
Goals: 4
B. Jamieson (2)
Jim Gowdie (2)
Teams[31]
Report[32]
Tries: 14
Terry O'Grady (5)
Billy Boston (4)
Raymond Price (2)
Geoff Gunney
Alf Burnell
Doug Greenall
Goals: 9
Jack Cunliffe (9)

Attendance: 5,912
Gate: AU£ 1,147
Referee: N. Saunders
Team list:

Wide Bay: FB: Angie Venardos (North Coast), WG: Jim Gowdie (Gympie), CE: Cec Cooper (Bundaberg), CE: Noel Hawthorne (North Coast), WG: B. Jamieson (Gympie), FE: Ted Barnes (Bundaberg), HB: D. Nixon (Bundaberg), LK: M. Ziebath (Lower South Burnett), SR: Don Bowes (Rovers), SR: H. Symonds (Bundaberg), PR: P. Iszlaub (Lower South Burnett), HK: Keith Weston (Western Suburbs), PR: WP. Hegerty ( Cherbourg).
Great Britain: FB: Jack Cunliffe, WG: Billy Boston, CE: Doug Greenall, CE: Dickie Williams, WG: Terry O'Grady, FE: Raymond Price, HB: Alf Burnell, LK: Geoff Gunney, SR: Charlie Pawsey, SR: Jack Wilkinson, PR: John Henderson, HK: Tommy Harris, PR: Jim Bowden.


June 22 Nth Qld Southern Districts 7–28 Great Britain Mackay Showgrounds, Mackay
Tries: 1
Ike Sturgeon
Goals: 2
Doug Shew (2)
Teams[33][34]
Report[35]
Tries: 6
Lewis Jones (2)
Doug Greenall
Billy Boston
Jim Bowden
Jack Wilkinson
Goals: 5
Lewis Jones (5)

Attendance: 5,860
Gate: AU£ 1,250
Referee: Maurice Weis
Team list:

North Queensland Southern Districts/Zone: FB: Lou Della-Vedova ( Magpies), WG: Bill Rasmussen ( Bucas), CE: Ike Sturgeon ( Marian), CE: Ron O'Brien ( Bucas), WG: Brian Dimmock ( Collinsville), FE: Les Kieseker ( Magpies), HB: Doug Shew ( Marian), LK: Hume Ronald ( Carltons), SR: Kevin Elliott ( Magpies), SR: Charlie Ogilvie ( Magpies), PR: Ross Ryan ( Bucas), HK: Don McKenzie ( Magpies), PR: Ross Primrose ( Carltons).
Great Britain: FB: Lewis Jones, WG: Billy Boston, CE: Ernie Ashcroft, CE: Doug Greenall, WG: Nat Silcock, FE: Raymond Price, HB: Alf Burnell, LK: Geoff Gunney, SR: Brian Briggs, SR: Jack Wilkinson, PR: Jim Bowden, HK: Tom McKinney, PR: Tommy Harris.


June 24 Far North Queensland 18–39 Great Britain Parramatta Park, Cairns
Tries: 4
Allan Cripps (2)
Pat Farrell
Jim Fallon
Goals: 3
Bill Allendorf (3)
Teams[36]
Report[37]
Tries: 9
Jack Cunliffe (2)
Doug Greenall (2)
Tommy Harris
Raymond Price
Alf Burnell
Dickie Williams
Geoff Gunney
Goals: 6
Jack Cunliffe (6)

Attendance: 6,545
Gate: AU£ 1,305
Referee: V. Renton
Team list:

Far North Queensland (North Queensland Northern Districts/Zone): FB: Frank Gill ( Kangaroos), WG: Allan Cripps (Uniteds), CE: R. Shambrook ( Kangaroos), CE: Pat Farrell (Herbert River), WG: R. Horn ( Kangaroos), FE: Hugh Kelly (22) ( Ivanhoes), HB: Dick Chant ( Ivanhoes), Jim Fallon (Mareeba), HK: R. Carter (Innisfail), Ossie Cumner (Ingham), Bill Allendorf ( Brothers), Danny Clifford (Tully), C. Blankensee ( Ivanhoes). The following were initially selected for the match but due to injury did not play: Gordon Farrelly ( Kangaroos), Mickey Shannon (Herbert River), N. McHardie and Eddie Kratzman (Tully).

For the Great Britain team, the account for this match in E.E. Christensen's Official Rugby League Year Book remarks that hooker Tommy Harris played on the wing but omits his name from the accompanying Great Britain team list, which lists Alan Prescott twice, as half-back and prop.

On the morning of the match (June 24) the team chosen as published in The Courier-Mail lists 14 players, with one to be omitted. This team differs from that given in the yearbook.

The local, Cairns Post match report mentions within the text the eight point-scorers, but no other British players: FB: Ted Cahill, WG: Tommy Harris, CE: Jack Cunliffe, CE: Doug Greenall, WG: Dickie Williams, FE: Raymond Price, HB: Alf Burnell and Geoff Gunney.

Hooker Tom McKinney was identified as playing in The Courier-Mail match report, winning "the scrums, 25 to 16, after leading 18 to 12 at half-time."

Alan Prescott was listed in both The Courier-Mail team list and the yearbook, but not mentioned in The Courier-Mail or Cairns Post match reports.

Four players listed in both The Courier-Mail team list but not in the yearbook, and not mentioned in the yearbook are: PR: Jack Wilkinson, John Henderson, Brian Briggs and Ken Traill. The above-named 14 players are credited with a match appearance in the Squad statistics.

The following four players listed only in the yearbook are not credited with an appearance for this Far North Queensland match: LK: Dave Valentine, SR: Charlie Pawsey, SR: Nat Silcock, PR: Jim Bowden.


June 27 North Queensland 13–39 Great Britain Townsville Sports Reserve, Townsville
3pm
Tries: 1
Bob Buckley
Goals: 5
Nev Linde (5)
Teams[33][38]
Report[39]
Photo[40]
Tries: 9
Terry O'Grady (4)
Billy Boston (4)
Phil Jackson
Goals: 6
Lewis Jones (6)

Attendance: 8,360
Gate: AU£ 1,821
Referee: R. Allison
Team list:

North Queensland: FB: Nev Linde (age 23) (Ayr), WG: Bob Buckley (Ayr), CE: Gordon Farrelly ( Kangaroos), CE: Graham Laird ( Magpies), WG: Graham \ Geoff Nash (Tully), FE: Brian Dimmock ( Collinsville), HB: Jack Russell-Green (Ayr), LK: Ross Primrose ( Carltons), SR: Roy Greenwood (Tully), SR: Bill Duell (Ayr), PR: Jack (Jerry) McAuliffe ( Brothers), HK: Ron Griffiths ( Ivanhoes), PR: Hume Ronald ( Carltons), Coach: Len Pegg (age 32).
Great Britain: FB: Lewis Jones, WG: Billy Boston, CE: Ernie Ashcroft, CE: Phil Jackson, WG: Terry O'Grady, FE: Dickie Williams, HB: Gerry Helme, LK: Dave Valentine, SR: Charlie Pawsey, SR: Nat Silcock, PR: Jim Bowden, HK: Tom McKinney, PR: Alan Prescott.


June 29 Central Queensland 12–21 Great Britain Rockhampton Showgrounds, Rockhampton
Tries: 2
Des McGovern
Alf Bawden
Goals: 3
Matt McCoy (3)
Team[41]
Report[42][43]
Tries: 5
Jack Cunliffe
Nat Silcock
Doug Greenall
Geoff Gunney
Raymond Price
Goals: 3
Ted Cahill (2)
Jack Cunliffe

Attendance: 5,200
Gate: AU£ 1,047
Referee: H. Gilbert
Team list:

Central Queensland: FB: Rex Morrison ( Norths), WG: Des McGovern (26) ( Railways), CE: Matt McCoy (30) ( Fitzroys), CE: Cec Cooper (28) ( Brothers), WG: Joe Jackson (Gladstone), FE: George Williams ( Fitzroys), HB: Duncan Jackson ( Lifesavers), LK: Alf Bawden ( Fitzroys), SR: Ray (Neilsen) Nielson ( Fitzroys), SR: John Perrin ( Norths), PR: R. Gutheridge ( Fitzroys), HK: L. Tynan ( Railways), PR: B. Cridland ( Norths).
Great Britain: FB: Ted Cahill, WG: Nat Silcock, CE: Jack Cunliffe, CE: Doug Greenall, WG: Brian Briggs, FE: Raymond Price, HB: Alf Burnell, LK: Ken Traill, SR: Geoff Gunney, SR: Jack Wilkinson, PR: John Henderson, HK: Tom McKinney, PR: Jim Bowden


2nd Test

[edit]
Team list:

Australia: FB: Clive Churchill ( South Sydney), WG: Noel Pidding ( Maitland), CE: Noel Hazzard (Roma), CE: Alex Watson ( Brisbane Western Suburbs), WG: Brian Carlson ( C.B.C. Wollongong), FE: Bob Sullivan ( North Sydney), HB: Keith Holman ( Western Suburbs), LK: Harold Crocker ( Parramatta), SR: Norm Provan ( St George), SR: Kel O'Shea (Ayr), PR: Duncan Hall ( Brisbane Western Suburbs), HK: Ken Kearney ( St George), PR: Roy Bull ( Manly-Warringah).
The following were named as reserves but did not play: Cyril Connell Jr ( Toowoomba Newtown) and Brian Davies ( Booval Swifts).
Great Britain: FB: Lewis Jones, WG: Billy Boston, CE: Phil Jackson, CE: Ernie Ashcroft, WG: Terry O'Grady, FE: Dickie Williams, HB: Gerry Helme, LK: Dave Valentine, SR: Nat Silcock, SR: Charlie Pawsey, PR: Jim Bowden, HK: Tom McKinney, PR: Alan Prescott.


July 4 Toowoomba 14–25 Great Britain Athletic Oval, Toowoomba
Tries: 2
Cyril Connell Jr
Bevan Hoyle
Goals: 4
Bevan Hoyle (4)
Team[47]
Report[48]
Tries: 5
Raymond Price (2)
Billy Boston
Doug Greenall
Jack Cunliffe
Goals: 5
Lewis Jones (5)

Attendance: 13,310
Gate: AU£ 3,321
Referee: Vic Lynagh
Team list:

Toowoomba: FB: Bevan Hoyle ( Souths), WG: Bill Monkland ( All Whites), CE: Noel Hazzard (Roma), CE: Athol Halpin ( All Whites), WG: Alan Norris ( Valleys), FE: Bob Banks ( Newtown), HB: Cyril Connell Jr ( Newtown), LK: Ron (Roy) Teys ( Valleys), SR: Don Furner ( Souths), SR: Bill Beardsworth ( Valleys), PR: Vince Soorley ( Newtown), HK: Kev Boshammer ( All Whites), PR: Neil Teys ( Newtown), Coach: Duncan Thompson ( Toowoomba).
Great Britain: FB: Lewis Jones, WG: Billy Boston, CE: Jack Cunliffe, CE: Doug Greenall, WG: Nat Silcock, FE: Raymond Price, HB: Alf Burnell, LK: Ken Traill, SR: Charlie Pawsey, SR: Geoff Gunney, PR: Jack Wilkinson, HK: Tom McKinney, PR: John Henderson.


July 7 Northern NSW 14–44 Great Britain Grafton Showgrounds, Grafton
Tries: 2
Noel McKay
Barry McConnell
Goals: 4
Brian Graham (4)
Team[49]
Report[50][51]
Tries: 10
Billy Boston (6)
Jack Cunliffe (2)
Doug Greenall (2)
Goals: 7
Jack Cunliffe (7)

Attendance: 6,380
Gate: AU£ 1,221
Referee: Wal Sneddon
Team list:

Northern NSW: FB: Brian Graham (17) ( South Grafton), WG: John Rowlings ( Armidale), CE: Bruce Grace ( Gunnedah), CE: Jim Daley (Casino All Stars), WG: George Smith ( Nambucca), FE: Noel McKay (18) ( Bowraville), HB: Barry McConnell (Tweed), LK: Les Reid ( Scone), SR: Monty Porter ( East Tamworth), SR: George Alaban (Diggers), PR: Harry Melville ( Scone), HK: Alf Hardman ( Moree), PR: Arthur Henderson ( Moree).
Great Britain: FB: Jack Cunliffe, WG: Billy Boston, CE: Phil Jackson, CE: Doug Greenall, WG: Nat Silcock, FE: Raymond Price, HB: Alf Burnell, LK: Ken Traill, SR: Geoff Gunney, SR: Brian Briggs, PR: Alan Prescott, HK: Jack Wilkinson, PR: John Henderson.


July 10 New South Wales 17–6 Great Britain Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Tries: 3
Merv Lees (2)
Roy Bull
Goals: 4
Noel Pidding (4)
Program
Report[52][53]
Tries: 2
Jack Cunliffe
Jack Wilkinson
Goals: 0

Attendance: 27,869
Gate: AU£ 3,671
Referee: Aub Oxford
Team list:

New South Wales: FB: Clive Churchill (age 27) ( Souths), WG: Noel Pidding (27) ( Maitland), CE: Harry Wells (22) ( Wollongong), CE: Merv Lees (21) ( St George), WG: Brian Carlson (21) ( C.B.C. Wollongong), FE: Dick Poole (23) ( Newtown), HB: Keith Holman (26) ( Wests), LK: Peter Diversi (22) ( Norths), SR: Norm Provan (22) ( St George), SR: Jack Rayner (33) ( Souths), PR: Jim Evans (24) ( Newtown), HK: Ken Kearney (28) ( St George), PR: Roy Bull (24) ( Manly).
The following were named as reserves but did not play: Ross Kite (22) ( St George) and Don Evenden (24) ( Norths),
Great Britain: FB: Geoff Gunney, WG: Brian Briggs, CE: Jack Cunliffe, CE: Doug Greenall, WG: Jack Wilkinson, FE: Raymond Price, HB: Alf Burnell, LK: Ken Traill, SR: Charlie Pawsey, SR: John Henderson, PR: Alan Prescott, HK: Dickie Williams, PR: Tommy Harris.


3rd Test

[edit]
July 17
Australia  20–16  Great Britain
Tries: 4
Alex Watson
Harry Wells
Noel Pidding
Peter Diversi
Goals: 4
Noel Pidding (4)
Program
Report[54][55]
Tries: 4
Dickie Williams (2)
Ernie Ashcroft
Dave Valentine
Goals: 2
Lewis Jones (2)
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Attendance: 67,577
Gate: AU£ 17,717
Referee: Darcy Lawler

Team list:

Australia: FB: Clive Churchill (age 27) ( South Sydney), WG: Brian Carlson (21) ( C.B.C. Wollongong), CE: Harry Wells (22) ( Wollongong), CE: Alex Watson (22) ( Brisbane Western Suburbs), WG: Noel Pidding (27) ( Maitland), FE: Bob Banks (23) ( Toowoomba Newtown), HB: Keith Holman (26) ( Western Suburbs), LK: Peter Diversi (22) ( North Sydney), SR: Norm Provan (22) ( St George), SR: Kel O'Shea (21) (Ayr), PR: Brian Davies (23) ( Booval Swifts), HK: Ken Kearney (28) ( St George), PR: Duncan Hall (28) ( Brisbane Western Suburbs),
Roy Bull ( Manly-Warringah) was selected but withdrew owing to injury. The following were named as reserves but did not play: Dick Poole (23) ( Newtown) and Don Evenden (24) ( North Sydney).
Great Britain: FB: Lewis Jones, WG: Billy Boston, CE: Phil Jackson, CE: Ernie Ashcroft, WG: Terry O'Grady, FE: Dickie Williams, HB: Gerry Helme, LK: Dave Valentine, SR: Nat Silcock, SR: Charlie Pawsey, PR: Alan Prescott, HK: Tom McKinney, PR: Jim Bowden.

New Zealand leg

[edit]
July 21 Māori  4–14 Great Britain Carlaw Park, Auckland
Tries: 0
Goals: 2
R. Haggie (2)
Teams[56]
Report[57]
Tries: 4
Ernie Ashcroft (2)
Doug Greenall
Frank Castle
Goals: 1
Jack Cunliffe

Attendance: 1,728
Team list:

For Māori the following 14 players were selected, with one to be omitted: R. Haggie, A. Berryman, J. Gibbons, J. Wright, T. Penny, William Sorensen, G. Turner, J. Wills, D. Diamond, John Yates, H. Maxwell, N. Rakena, R. Royal, J. Ratima.
For Great Britain: centre Doug Greenall scored a try. He was not, however, amongst the 13 players named prior to the match: FB: Jack Cunliffe, WG: Terry O'Grady, CE: Ernie Ashcroft, CE: Phil Jackson, WG: Frank Castle, FE: Raymond Price, HB: Alf Burnell, LK: Ken Traill, SR: Nat Silcock, SR: Brian Briggs, PR: Alan Prescott, HK: Tommy Harris, PR: John Henderson.


1st Test

[edit]
July 24
New Zealand  7–27  Great Britain
Tries: 1
John Bond
Goals: 2
Jim Haig
Des White
Teams[58]
Report[59][60]
Database
Tries: 7
Billy Boston (4)
Ernie Ashcroft (2)
Tommy Harris
Goals: 3
Lewis Jones (3)
Carlaw Park, Auckland
Attendance: 22,097
Referee: J. Griffin
Team list:

New Zealand: FB: Des White, WG: Cyril Eastlake ( Auckland), CE: Ron McKay ( Taranaki), CE: Tommy Baxter, WG: Jim Edwards ( Auckland), FE: George Menzies (West Coast), HB: Jim Haig, PR: Cliff Johnson ( Auckland), HK: Roy Roff, PR: William McLennan (West Coast), SR: John Bond ( Canterbury), SR: Frank Mulcare, LK: Alister Atkinson ( Canterbury).
Great Britain: FB: Lewis Jones, WG: Billy Boston, CE: Phil Jackson, CE: Ernie Ashcroft, WG: Terry O'Grady, FE: Raymond Price, HB: Gerry Helme, PR: Alan Prescott, HK: Tommy Harris, PR: Jack Wilkinson, SR: Geoff Gunney, SR: Charlie Pawsey, LK: Dave Valentine.


July 27 Wellington 18–61 Great Britain Basin Reserve, Wellington
Tries: 4
P. Jones (2)
Williams
Rowels
Goals: 3
Gordon (3)
Report[61]
Tries: 13
Terry O'Grady (4)
Billy Boston (3)
Doug Greenall (3)
Dickie Williams
Jack Cunliffe
Tom McKinney
Goals: 11
Lewis Jones (11)

Attendance: 3,103

2nd Test

[edit]
July 31
New Zealand  20–14  Great Britain
Tries: 2
John Butterfield
Frank Mulcare
Goals: 7
Des White (7)
Database
Report[62][63]
Tries: 2
Terry O'Grady
Jack Wilkinson
Goals: 4
Lewis Jones (4)
Wingham Park, Greymouth
Attendance: 4,240
Referee: M. Seagar
Team list:

New Zealand: FB: Des White, WG: Jim Edwards ( Auckland), CE: Ron Ackland, CE: Tommy Baxter, WG: Vern Bakalic, FE: William Sorensen ( Auckland), HB: Jim Haig, PR: Cliff Johnson (Auckland ), HK: Lory Blanchard ( Canterbury), PR: William McLennan (West Coast), SR: John Butterfield ( Canterbury), SR: Frank Mulcare, LK: Alister Atkinson ( Canterbury).
Great Britain: FB: Lewis Jones, WG: Billy Boston, CE: Phil Jackson, CE: Doug Greenall, WG: Terry O'Grady, FE: Dickie Williams, HB: Gerry Helme, PR: Alan Prescott, HK: Tommy Harris, PR: Jack Wilkinson, SR: Geoff Gunney, SR: Brian Briggs, LK: Dave Valentine.


August 4 South Island 11–32 Great Britain University Oval, Dunedin
Tries: 1
Jim Haig
Goals: 4
John Butterfield (3)
John Bond
Result[64]
Tries: 6
Terry O'Grady (2)
Phil Jackson (2)
Alf Burnell
Jack Wilkinson
Goals: 7
Lewis Jones (7)

Attendance: 1,154

August 7 Canterbury 14–60 Great Britain Lancaster Park, Christchurch
Tries: 2
John Butterfield
Clark
Goals: 4
John Bond (4)
Result[65][66]
Tries: 12
Billy Boston (4)
Terry O'Grady (3)
Alf Burnell (2)
Geoff Gunney (2)
Alan Prescott
Goals: 12
Lewis Jones (12)

Attendance: 1,544

August 9 North Island 7–42 Great Britain Pukekura Park, New Plymouth
Tries: 1
Goals: 2
Result[67][68]
Tries: 8
Goals: 9

Attendance: 2,448

August 11 South Auckland 14–26 Great Britain Rugby Park, Hamilton
Tries: 2
G. Dow
Worth
Goals: 4
George (4)
Report[69]
Tries: 6
Ernie Ashcroft (3)
Jack Cunliffe
Dave Valentine
Gerry Helme
Goals: 4
Jack Cunliffe (4)

Attendance: 1,683

3rd Test

[edit]
August 14
New Zealand  6–12  Great Britain
Tries: 0
Goals: 3
Des White (3)
Database
Report[70]
Tries: 2
Terry O'Grady
Raymond Price
Goals: 3
Lewis Jones (3)
Carlaw Park, Auckland
Attendance: 6,186
Referee: Wally Wilkinson
Team list:

New Zealand: FB: Des White, WG: Jim Edwards ( Auckland), CE: Ron Ackland, CE: Jim Austin ( Auckland), WG: Tommy Baxter, FE: William Sorensen (Auckland ), HB: Jim Haig, PR: Cliff Johnson ( Auckland), HK: Lory Blanchard ( Canterbury), PR: William McLennan (West Coast), SR: John Butterfield ( Canterbury), SR: Frank Mulcare, LK: Alister Atkinson ( Canterbury).
Great Britain: FB: Lewis Jones, WG: Billy Boston, CE: Phil Jackson, CE: Ernie Ashcroft, WG: Terry O'Grady, FE: Raymond Price, HB: Alf Burnell, PR: Alan Prescott, HK: Tom McKinney, PR: Jim Bowden, SR: Geoff Gunney, SR: Charlie Pawsey, LK: Ken Traill.


August 16 Auckland 5–4 Great Britain Carlaw Park, Auckland
Tries: 1
Roy Roff
Goals: 1
Ian Grey
Report[71]
Tries: 0
Goals: 2
Lewis Jones (2)

Attendance: 4,949

Australian return leg

[edit]
August 18 New South Wales 35–15 Great Britain Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Tries: 9
Ross Kite (2)
Jack Rayner (2)
Brian Carlson (2)
Keith Holman
Dick Poole
Norm Provan
Goals: 4
Ross Kite (2)
Keith Holman
Clive Churchill
Program
Teams[72]
Report[73]
Tries: 3
Lewis Jones
Dave Valentine
Raymond Price
Goals: 3
Lewis Jones (3)

Attendance: 20,295
Gate: AU£ 2,815
Referee: Jack O'Brien
Team list:

New South Wales: FB: Clive Churchill (age 27) ( Souths), WG: Brian Carlson (21) ( C.B.C. Wollongong), CE: Dick Poole (23) ( Newtown), CE: Merv Lees (21) ( St George), WG: Ross Kite (22) ( St George), FE: Greg Hawick (23) ( Souths), HB: Keith Holman (26) ( Wests), LK: Peter Diversi (22) ( Norths), SR: Norm Provan (22) ( St George), SR: Jack Rayner (33) ( Souths), PR: Jim Evans (24) ( Newtown), HK: Ken Kearney (28) ( St George), PR: Roy Bull (24) ( Manly).
The following were named as reserves but did not play: Bobby Whitton (22) ( Newtown) and Harold Crocker (24) ( Parramatta).
Great Britain: FB: Lewis Jones, WG: Billy Boston, CE: Dave Valentine, CE: Ernie Ashcroft, FE: Raymond Price, HB: Gerry Helme, LK: Ken Traill, SR: Geoff Gunney, SR: Nat Silcock, PR: Jim Bowden, HK: Tom McKinney, PR: Alan Prescott, WG Dickie Williams.


August 21 Southern NSW 21–66 Great Britain Manuka Oval, Canberra
2.30pm
Tries: 3
Angus Miller (2)
, Allan Hawke
Goals: 6
Johnny Graves (6)
Team[74][75]
Report[76][77]
Tries: 12
Nat Silcock (2)
Dickie Williams (2)
Brian Briggs (2)
Phil Jackson
Jack Wilkinson
Ken Traill
Doug Greenall
Jim Bowden
Dave Valentine
Goals: 15
Lewis Jones (15)

Attendance: 3,253
Gate: AU£ 690
Referee: j. McIlhatton
Team list:

Southern NSW: FB: Keith Barnes ( Wollongong), WG: Jack Lumsden ( Wests), CE: Col Johnson ( Cooma Rovers), CE: Alan (Allan) Hawke ( Norths), WG: Johnny Graves ( Cootamundra), FE: Jim / Jack Gartner (Adaminaby), HB: Doug Cameron ( Young), LK: Noel Mulligan ( C.B.C.), SR: Angus Miller ( Berry), SR: Stan Greenwood ( Yass), PR: Ron (Ralph) Foster ( Norths), HK: Billy Rayner ( Yass), PR: Bill Hodges ( Wollongong).
Great Britain: FB: Lewis Jones, WG: Nat Silcock, CE: Phil Jackson, CE: Doug Greenall, WG: Dave Valentine, FE: Dickie Williams, HB: Gerry Helme, LK: Ken Traill, SR: Brian Briggs, SR: Jim Bowden, PR: Alan Prescott, HK: Tom McKinney, PR: Jack Wilkinson.


August 22 Coalfields 28–22 Great Britain Maitland Showground, Maitland
Tries: 6
Gus Gray (2)
Bobby Banks
Doug Hawke
Ray Allsop
Lester Batey
Goals: 5
Dave Parkinson (5)
Report[78]
Tries: 4
Ernie Ashcroft (2)
Lewis Jones
Nat Silcock
Goals: 5
Lewis Jones (5)

Attendance: 9,585
Gate: AU£ 2,058
Referee: Wal Sneddon
Team list:

Newcastle Coalfields: FB: Dave Parkinson ( Cessnock), WG: Don Adams ( Maitland), CE: Bill Sneddon ( Cessnock), CE: Colin De Lore ( Lakes United), WG: Lester Batey ( Cessnock), FE: Ray Allsop ( Lakes United), HB: Bobby Banks ( Waratah Mayfield), LK: Gus Gray ( Lakes United), SR: Doug Hawke ( Norths), SR: Tom Pitman ( Lakes United), PR: Jack Mantle ( Norths), HK: Bob Crane ( Norths), PR: Fred Brown ( Maitland).
Great Britain: FB: Lewis Jones, WG: Doug Greenall, CE: Ernie Ashcroft, CE: Phil Jackson, WG: Nat Silcock, FE: Raymond Price, HB: Gerry Helme, LK: Dave Valentine, SR: Geoff Gunney, SR: Alan Prescott, PR: Brian Briggs, HK: Tommy Harris, PR: Jack Wilkinson.


Statistics

[edit]

Brian Carlson, Clive Churchill, Keith Holman, Ken Kearney, and Norm Provan all appeared in seven matches against Great Britain - in each instance three games for Australia, three for New South Wales and one for Sydney. The most tries scored against the Lions was six, by Brian Carlson. Keith Holman and Ken McCaffery each scored four tries. Noel Pidding scored the most points against the tourists, with 51 from three tries and 21 goals in five matches.
In the Test Series the leading scorers were Noel Pidding 36 (Australia) and Des White 22 (New Zealand). Lewis Jones scored the most points for the Lions against both opponents, 30 against Australia and 20 against New Zealand.
Billy Boston scored six tries in the six tests, including four against New Zealand. Dickie Williams scored three tries against Australia. Brian Carlson scored three tries in the Ashes Tests for Australia. No New Zealander scored more than a single try in their three Test series.

Sources

[edit]
Acronym Item Years Database App Notes
Direct Online Access
RLN Rugby League News 1920-1973 Trove Match Program in Sydney, Team Lists, Team Photos, Articles
RLP Rugby League Project 1907–present RLP Website Test Match teams & scorers.
Sun The Sun (Sydney) 1910-1954 Trove Match Reports, Articles.
DT The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) 1931-1954 Trove Match Reports, Articles.
CM The Courier-Mail 1933-1954 Trove Match Reports, Articles.
- Various Australian Regional Newspapers up to 1954 Trove Match Reports, Given Names of Players
- New Zealand Newspapers up to 1950 Papers Past Match Reports.
Offline Resources
EECYB E.E. Christensen's Official Rugby League Year Book 1946-1978 Copies at
State Library of NSW
Teams, Point Scorers, Report. 1955 Yearbook covers the 1954 tour.
QRLG Queensland Rugby League Gazette 1950-1955 Copies at
State Library of Qld
Program for matches in Brisbane. Collection is predominantly of representative matches.
RRLG Rockhampton Rugby League Gazette 1951-1968 Copies at
State Library of Qld
Program for matches in Rockhampton. Collection includes club as well as Rockhampton and Central Queensland representative matches.
- Ipswich Versus International Teams[79] 1913-1975 Copies at
SLQ & NLA
Match Report, Given Names & Club of Ipswich Players
- The Bulimba Cup Era[80] 1925-1972 Copies at
SLQ & NLA
Clubs of Ipswich, Toowoomba and Brisbane players. This book includes Bulimba Cup match reports and team lists.
- A History of Mackay Rugby League[81] 1919-2015 Author's Website Given Names & Club of Mackay Players
- More Than The Foley Shield[82] 1908-2014 Author's Website Match report, team photos. Given Names & Club of North Queensland Players

References

[edit]
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  2. ^ "West Side Against England". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney: National Library of Australia. 10 May 1954. p. 9. Retrieved 29 Dec 2020.
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