Letters

An easy Challenge

Reader Stewart Hall's request last month for identification of the St Helens Challenge Cup winning team in 1956 produced a huge response. The following were just some of those who came up with the same answers as Ken Lowthian, whose letter is printed first below. Thanks to all who wrote in.

It was the first occasion that Saints won the cup despite appearing in the first final in 1897 as well as strong favourites in two previous Wembley finals. The players in the St Helens team, coached by the great Jim Sullivan, that defeated Halifax 13-2 on Saturday 28 April, 1956 were:

Alan Prescott (prop forward, captain), Roy Robinson (second row), Len McIntyre (hooker), Vince Karalius(just visible, Loose forward), Nat Silcock (prop forward), Bill Finnan (stand off), Steve Llewellyn (right wing), George Parsons (second row),Brian Howard (left centre), Glyn Moses (full back), Duggie Greenall (right centre), Austin Rhodes (scrum half) Frank Carlton(left wing)

Scorers: Saints: Tries: Carlton, Llewellyn, Prescott Goals: Rhodes (2)

Halifax: Goals: Griffiths

Ken Lowthian
via email

Captain Alan Prescott won the Lance Todd Trophy as the game's outstanding player. Attendance: 79, 341. Receipts: £29,424, 7 shillings and six pence!

Michael Whawell (Revd)
Buxton, Derbyshire

Being a new reader to your magazine, I was delighted to see a letter concerning The Greatest Game of All. Top row third left is Vince Karalius, who I believe earned the tag, 'Wild Man of Pampas'. Any readers know why? Great mag by the way - more Rugby League coverage would be cool though. Flat caps are back in fashion you know and we even read The Observer now!
Sam Bennett
Oldham

I don't remember the game myself (too young!) but my Dad, Tony, is a fount of all knowledge when it comes to Fifties/Sixties rugby league. He brought me up well and we still go to Saints matches together to this day.
Mike Morris
Preston

It's interesting to note that no fewer than nine of the St Helens team are still living (the deceased are Prescott, Robinson, Finnan and Silcock). Six of the Saints from 46 years ago have remained in what was formerly known as 'The Glass Town' - Howard, Moses, Greenall, Rhodes, Carlton and Llewellyn.
Denis Whittle
St Helens

Outpsyching Shanks
ManYoo fan Mike Carr makes an interesting comment (Letters, November) about his club's 'famous trio' of Best, Law and Charlton, and the lack of success of Bill Shankly's psychological techniques when Liverpool played against them from 1964 to 1972. He pointed out that in their meetings, United won eight matches against Liverpool's six with four draws. Perhaps he would like to and comment on Joe Mercer and Malcolm Allison's psychological methods. During the same period against Manchester City, United Lost eight drew four and won just four matches.

Needless to say just six years after winning the European Cup in 1968, 'The World's Greatest Club' were relegated courtesy of one of their former 'famous trio', Denis Law. History to repeat itself? Roll on 2005!
Phil Neale
'Proud to be Blue' (and enjoying derby days again!)

Putting it straight It might be argued that, for non-mainstream sports, any publicity is good publicity. So perhaps the British Minigolf Association (BMGA) should be grateful for Will Buckley's article on the British Open International Mini-golf Tournament ('Who are you Calling Crazy?, OSM, November). Nevertheless, I would like to set the record straight on a couple of points.

It is untrue to suggest that, as chairman (not life president, as stated in the article) of the BMGA, I twist the format of competitions to work in my favour. A knock-out format for the second day of this year's British Open was introduced after consultation with players, to make the tournament more exciting and to give every player who made the cut something to play for on the second day.

Of course minigolfers play to win, as well as for enjoyment and - in the case of those who also play 'proper golf' - to hone their putting. But for me it is the sportsmanship, sense of fair play and friendly nature in which minigolf is played that set it apart from other, more commercialised sports.

As for the implication that I might be insane, it would be a very dull world if the only sport was football and everyone supported Manchester United.
Peter Parr
Chairman, British Minigolf Association Tunbridge Wells

I would like to take issue with Will Buckley and his attempts to play mini-golf in last month's OSM, particularly his obvious determination not to enjoy himself.

As a fan of the sport I have spent many enjoyable afternoons putting my way round my local course. It was perhaps asking a bit much for Mr Buckley to grasp the finer points of the sport (that make it so challenging and rewarding) in such a short space of time.

As a father of three, I find it a great way to be able to spend time with my children and improve my putting without my wife getting on my back. Before Mr Buckley decides to retire his mini-putter he should give the game a fair crack - he might even end up enjoying himself.
John Pringle
Birmingham