The 1963 game against the 21 Division and the Vice Squad. Both of these sections were squads within the CIB. The two teams played annually for the ‘Steve Duff’ Memorial Trophey, which had been donated by the then boss of 21 Division, Detective Inspector ‘Snowy’ Whiteman. On this occasion the game was played on a ‘rock hard’ surface at Erskineville Oval on 23/7/1963. This game was very Prestigious within the NSW Police Force during this era, and a large crowd will flock to this annaul event.
The notes indicate that the referee was a first grade ref by the name of Harry Griffin and that the Vice squad team had two first grade players, Bob Keyes and Terry Matthews.21 Division ran out winners on this occasion by 24 points to 10.
Names such as ‘Dinga’ Bell and ‘Dick Baker’ (21 Division) were involved in Police rugby league for many years to come, and Dick Baker became President in the late 1980’s for a number of years. ‘Dinga’ retired to Tweed Heads, and would come to any Police game played on the Gold Coast. He was a fantastic bloke who was highly thought of by all of those involved in Police rugby league, who knes him. Sadly, Dinga passed away in 2011.
In the team photograph below, Dinga can be seen directly to the right of the referee Harry Griffin, and Dick Baker is next to him. Nelson Chad (second left) from the referee, bacame a highly decorated Police Officer and received a Commissioners Commendation in 1979. In the photograph below, Nelson Chad is seen passing the ball to a flying Bob Keyes. Bob was an East junior who signed with the Newtown Bluebags. Bob partnered another police officer Brian ‘Chica’ Moore in the centres. He played for NSW in 1964 and went to captain Newtown.
Peter Bowtell contacted us in June 2024 and provided the following information regarding the referee for this game.
No 21 Division and the Vice Squad in 1963, and the first grade referee mentioned was Harry Griffin. His full name was Henry Michael Griffin, he was a detective attached to the Motor Squad and later became the Superintendent in charge of Newcastle and then Chief Metropolitan Superintendent. He was part of the first Canterbury Bankstown premiership team in 1938 (CB No 59) and prior to that he played first grade for South Sydney in 1935 / 1936 (SS No 233). He represented NSW City, he was captain / coach in Country NSW and played for Goulburn against Sydney colts. He loved the NSW Police Force, Newcastle, and rugby league, in particular South Sydney. He passed away in Newcastle.
Thanks Peter for the information.
