Schofield King’s Throwback Thursday: Squeaker Schools the Sea Eagles

Seeing as 2021 marks 40 years since our club’s remarkable charge to the 1981 NSWRFL Grand Final, this year Schofield King’s Throwback Thursday will focus exclusively on that season.

Each week we’ll revisit the fixture from the corresponding round, in a series of articles that we hope will take our long-time fans on a fun journey down memory lane, while also educating our newer fans on our club’s illustrious history.

ROUND 5

A masterclass from halfback Ken Wilson helped Newtown to an emphatic 20-8 win over Manly at Brookvale Oval.

Filling the dual roles of halfback and captain, Wilson completely mesmerised the Sea Eagles, scoring a try, kicking five goals and field goal in a stellar performance.

Newtown opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when Mick Pitman touched down after capitalising on a break from Brian Hetherington. They grabbed their second try just six minutes later when Steve Bowden crashed over, giving the Bluebags a 12-0 advantage at the break.

Manly finally got on the board in the 48th minute through Bruce Walker, but a try, two goals and a field goal from Wilson pushed the score out to 20-3 with just 15 minutes remaining.

Kiwi prop Mark Broadhurst added a little bit of respectability to the score line when he crossed in the final minute of play, but there was no denying that the Sea Eagles had been completely outplayed by Kenny and the Jets.


Newtown 20 (S.Bowden, M.Pitman, K.Wilson tries; Wilson 7 goals, field goal) def. Manly 8 (M.Broadhurst, B.Walker tries; M.Eden goal)

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