FIFTY years ago today, December 3, 1972, one of Australia’s greatest coaches made a cameo appearance at Wilderspool.

His name...Wayne Bennett.

He had come over to play for Huddersfield as a guest player, from the All Whites club in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia.

Bennett was a utility back and during his time here, was their main goal kicker, with 36 successful goals.

The teams that played that day were:

WARRINGTON: Whitehead; Noonan, Reynolds, Grant, Curling; Murphy, Gordon; Chisnall, Ashcroft, Brady, Wanbon, Gregory, Nicholas. Sub: C Jones for Gregory (75mins)

HUDDERSFIELD: Bedford; Bennett, Hewson, Pickup, Leese; Doyle, Loxton; Heppleston, Rowe, Weavill, Branch, Vievers, Clark. Sub: Hall for Clark (half-time)

REFEREE: R Moore (Wakefield)

Warrington were top of the league at that stage, and Huddersfield 18th in a one-league table.

Wilderspool had not been a happy hunting ground for Huddersfield, and it was to be no different that day.

Making his debut that day was Australian centre John Grant, who soon got on the scoring sheet with a tenth minute try.

Grant had played for Australia in the 1972 World Cup Final, and in 2011 became inaugural chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission.

Scoring also his first try for the club in that match was Welsh legend Mike Nicholas, who would take Warrington to his heart.

You can’t keep a good man down, and coach Alex Murphy didn’t disappoint.

He had set up a number of tries already, and had a try himself disallowed for a double movement, then Murphy got the try his efforts deserved.

With a line of defenders in front of him, he kicked and still showed flashing speed over 15 yards to gather and touch down at the posts.

Recently sadly departed forward, Bobby Wanbon, scored the final try, as Warrington won 28-5.

That stretched their run to 13 successive league wins that season, which ended with Warrington claiming the League Leaders' Trophy.

For Wayne Bennett, his only joy that day was kicking a penalty soon after the interval.

Great glories for him were to come in the coaching field.

WARRINGTON 28

Tries :- Grant, Ashcroft, Nicholas, Curling, Murphy, Wanbon

Goals :- Whitehead (5)

HUDDERSFIELD 5

Try :- Leese

Goal :- Bennett

Article contributed by Stanski