Vale Ray Preston

TheNewtown RLFC regrets to announce the recent passing of the former Newtownplayer Ray Preston.

MrPreston was one of the most accomplished wingers in Newtown’s history.

Hejoined the club in 1949 and played with the Bluebags until 1956. In that timehe played 115 first grade games, recording the amazing strike rate of 107tries. In the 1954 season he scored 34 tries, which remains the Newtown club’srecord for the most tries scored in a season.

Inthat same year of 1954, Newtown’s other winger Kevin Considine scored 22 tries.Their combined total of 56 tries in one season remains both a Newtown and NSWRLfirst grade record. Ray Preston and Kevin Considine played in both of Newtown’slosing grand final teams in 1954 and 1955.

Rayfinished his playing career with seasons at Macksville (on the NSW north coast)and Parramatta. He was also a well-performed professional sprinter in the1950s.

TheNewtown RLFC expresses sincere condolences to the Preston family on hispassing.