This is a gem of a station and I hope I can watch it some more.
Earlier this evening there was a half hour programme showing a test match between Great Britain and Australia in Sydney during 1988.
For the Aussies the likes of Wally Lewis and Andrew Ettinghausen were running round in the backs while a man with a fearsome moustache, Sam Backo ran in a forward pack that also contained Paul Vautin and Wayne Pierce.
The Great Britain team had Phil Ford at fullback, Martin Offiah and Henderson Gill on the wings, David Stephenson played at centre while Andy Gregory bossed the team. Britain had a fearsome pack that day with Hugh Wadell packing down alongside Paul Hulme and Kevin Ward in the front row while the late duo of Mike Gregory and Roy Powell were at second row.
The speed of Ford was nothing short of frightening and he got over for a try while Henderson Gill pounced for two, the second a corker off a Paul Loughlin break. Almost inevitably Martin Offiah grabbed a try before a real long range effort from Mike Gregory in support of Andy secured the game and sent the British fans in rapture and impromptu dance, every bit as inventive as Gill's "boogey" which was described by the commentary team. Great Britain won that game 26-12 to leave Australian super coach Jack Gibson sounding decidedly downbeat at the end.
As well as Stephenson the other player with a Leigh connection in the team was substitute Brian Case.
When I began watching Leigh, Case was in his last season but still a solid professional.
In the end he played 43 games for the Centurions between 1989 and 1991 after becoming part of a double signing for Leigh. It was a move that also brought Ian Potter back for a second spell with the club following a long association with Wigan.
I'm going to keep my eyes open for further classic RL on this channel as I really enjoyed that half hour!
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