C. MOUNTFORD HERO OF THE WIGAN CLUB

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 September 1949, Page 4 (Supplement)

C. MOUNTFORD HERO OF THE WIGAN CLUB

' Cecil Mountford, who returned only last month to take up his second engagement with the Wigan Club in England, after visiting his home in Blackball, has already “hit the headlines’ in the British newspapers, as the result of a sensational, match-winning performance in the recent Wigan-Leeds game. ~ “Mountford Hero of the Week is how one pacer headlined the incident and the report stated:—“lf you ask any Wigan supporter who should be the next freeman of Wigan, there would be only one answer at the moment. After his great effort on Wednesday it is, of course, diminutive stand-off half Cecil Mountford. “Injured in the opening stages of the second half, he hobbled about on the wing for the rest of the game until a minute or two before the end. With his side behind, Cecil realised that a last desperate effort was needed. Back to his old position he went when a scrum was formed, but Wigan did not get the ball. Another scrum, and this time Egan did get the ball. A quick transfer from Bradshaw to Mountford, who, summonsing terrific speed from somewhere, streaked'down the centre to w- score at the corner to give his side a dramatic victory with the last movement of the game. “It was perhaps determination more than anything that kept Mountford going, and spectators were not slow to show their appreciation of his fine effort. Even after the game crowds waited outside to cheer their ‘hero.’ One old timer, who has been watching the game for longer than he cares to remember, said it was the best try he had ever seen—praise indeed.” Other English papers headlined the incident, “Ovation for Footballer — Crowds wait for Mountford”; “Mountford’s Superb Try”; “Injured Player Gains, Great Victory Try”; “Mountford Has' a Crowded Hour.” Leeds was leading by 12 points to 10 when the sensational try was scored and Mountford ran from about 10 yards inside the Wigan half way. The New Zealander had received a fairly severe knee injury in the game and later in the week he was examined by a Liverpool specialist. It was announced that he would be out of the game for several weeks.