by Colin Matheson, News of the North,

The West Australian, Thursday 9 July 1981

The two coastal football leagues met for the first time in the annual BP Pilbara Championship played at the South Hedland Oval last weekend resulting in a close, exciting win by the De Grey League by two points over West Pilbara, 19.13 to 18.17.

The championships in the past have been dominated by the two inland leagues Fortescue and Newman.

After an even first quarter, West Pilbara held a two-to-three goal lead for most of the match and should have won comfortably in the last term, but for some careless kicking for goals that resulted in a string of behinds. This let De Grey back into the game late in the quarter and into the roar of the big crowd, they clung to the slender margin.

De Grey’s side looked under-manned before the start of the championships compared with the strong, well balanced West Pilbara team. However, under coach Harry Newman, who is considered one of the most accomplished footballers and coaches in the Pilbara, over the past 13 years, was able to bring the best out of the average players finally selected.

Newman had two of the best footballers at the moment seen in the Pilbara – Lloyd Page (captain) and Ray Seaman (vice-captain) – to set the example on the ground. Page won the Brian Sodeman Trophy for the fairest and best player in the final.

De Grey’s centre-half-forward Mark Henneberry won the Marshall Medal for the fairest and best player over the two-day championship. West Pilbara also had a well-known Pilbara footballer as coach, Don Newman.

It was West Pilbara’s talented forwards that let Newman down in the opening minutes of the final quarter. It was one of the best sides that West Pilbara has fielded in a championship – the five reserves that did not make the final 20 could have walked into the De Grey’s side.

Next Sunday at South Hedland Oval, the local derby will be played between Panthers and Rovers. Panthers, fifth on the ladder, will be all out to dislodge Rovers from fourth spot. Rovers have not defeated Panthers since 1979.

At Karratha Oval, Karratha will be at home to Dampier. Dampier need this game to stay in touch with the four. Cardinals travel to Goldsworthy, the top side playing the bottom. Cardinals will not want to let go of top place and Goldsworthy will be looking for their first win of the season.

Note: Colin Matheson hand wrote this news story at his home at 31 Moore Street, Port Hedland. He would then give this to his wife Cecily who was a gun typist. It would be typed ready and sent to The West Australian Newspapers by mail to reach their deadline to be published in time to promote the game and next week’s fixtures. He loved footy that much!