Match Reports 2
23 December 1984
Southend Invicta 10 Swinton 28
No match report available.
Invicta: Tries: Atherton, Scanlon
Goals: Neel
Swinton: Tries: Snape (2), Jones, Melling
Goals: Jones (6)
Attendance: 307
Referee: Kevin Allatt (Southport)
Southend Invicta: Scanlon, Feighan, Elia, Penola, Atherton, Wellman, Harding, Alexander, Cholmondeley, Donnelly, Neel, Schaumkell, Johnston. Subs: Briscoe, Grimoldby
1 January 1985
Southend Invicta 14 Fulham 16
This was a match of great significance - the first time a local derby had been played between two professional Rugby League teams in the South for fifty years when Acton and Willesden (1935/36), Streatham and Mitcham (1935/37) and London Highfield (1933/34) had been in existence.
The game started in exciting fashion with John "Dallas" Donnelly punching Fulham's Gourley after only 60 seconds of play. Four minutes later Fulham were punished in more legitimate fashion when Dave Cholmondeley dropped a goal. It was ten minutes before Fulham got out of their own half, only for Johnston to intercept a wild pass and run 50 yards for a touchdown. Tony Neel converted the try and Invicta were 7-0 up.
A Neel penalty after 27 minutes made it 9-0 but the Fulham scrum half, Davis, soon powered through from a play the ball to reduce the arrears. Davis's pace took him clear again four minutes from the break, but he slipped as he tried to round Colin Penola, playing at full back, and the chance was lost.
Two penalties by Chris Wilkinson took Fulham to within one point but another interception try by Dave Cholmondeley restored Southend's five point advantage.
Wilkinson kicked Fulham backed into contention at 13-10 but Cholmondeley kicked another dropped goal to make it 14-10. Invicta's third win beckoned but belated Fulham pressure brought its reward when Rochford broke clear to level the scores and Chris Wilkinson sealed Fulham's victory with a simple conversion.
Invicta: Tries: Johnston, Cholmondeley
Goals: Neel (2), Cholmondeley (2 dg)
Fulham: Tries: Rochford, Davis
Goals: Wilkinson (4)
Attendance: 504
Referee: Frank Robinson (Leeds)
Southend Invicta: Penola, Feighan, Elia, Johnston, Gillan, Wellman, Harding, Alexander, Cholmondeley, Donnelly, Neel, Briscoe, Hanney. Subs: McGill, Dean
27 January 1985
Southend Invicta 2 Blackpool Borough 27
Severe frost and snow had led to the postponement of the games at home to Huddersfield (January 13) and away to Salford (January 20). The lay off didn't help Southend and they were totally outclassed. The lay off and bad weather also affected the attendance - a pathetic crowd of 86 watching. This was the beginning of the end for Invicta.
Invicta: Tries:
Goals: Cholmondeley
Blackpool: Tries: Brennan (2), Bailey (2), Sivori
Goals: Turley (3), O'Loughlin (dg)
Attendance: 86
Referee: John Holdsworth (Kippax)
Southend Invicta: Scanlon, Feighan, Elia, Atherton, Gillan, Wellman, Harding, Donnelly, Cholmondeley, Dean, Grimoldby, Briscoe, Penola. Subs: McGill, Wilkes
3 February 1985
Whitehaven 22 Southend Invicta 8
No match report available. This was Mark Elia's last match for Invicta, having been called up for the New Zealand International Training squad.
Invicta: Tries: Elia, Gillan
Goals:
Whitehaven: Tries: Gribbin, Cameron, Dalton, Huddart
Goals: Cameron (3)
Attendance: 1,327
Referee: Fred Lindop (Wakefield)
Southend Invicta: Wilkes, Gillan, Penola, Millington, Atherton, Elia, McCafferty, Alexander, Cholmondeley, Donnelly, Neel, Briscoe, Feighan. Subs: Dean, Harding
24 February 1985
Bradford Northern 50 Southend Invicta 18 (Silk Cut Challenge Cup First Round)
Invicta's biggest game of the season. Although by no means the greatest Bradford Northern team ever (they eventually finished mid table in the First Division that season) they had the immortal Ellery Hanley playing at stand off together with Jeff Grayshon (another stalwart in Dewsbury's 1973 championship winning team), Keith Mumby and Brian Noble.
Southend had been drawn at home but the club's deteriorating financial position had meant an inevitable switch to Odsal. This caused great controversy with the Supporters Club much perturbed by the decision. Peter Jones, secretary of the Supporters Club, stated: "This move makes a mockery of the Club's supposedly long-term expansionist policy and has done nothing to maintain our credibility with the game's Governing Body and other Clubs in the League."
The game should have been played on 10 February but the continuing bad weather had meant the game had been postponed and the freeze meant further postponements on 14, 17 and 19 February. The game was eventually played two weeks after the original date. Invicta certainly didn't disgrace themselves. Playing some excellent open rugby they scored three tries through Atherton, Donnelly and man of the match Harding and earned the respect of both the home crowd and the northern press.
Invicta: Tries: Atherton, Harding, Donnelly
Goals: Neel (2), Cholmondeley (2 dg) Briscoe (dg)
Bradford: Tries: Hanley (3), Rathbone, Kellaway, Fleming, Heron, Crossley
Goals: Parrish (9)
Attendance: 3,297
Referee: Ken Spencer (Warrington)
Southend Invicta: Scanlon, Gillan, Penola, Millington, Atherton, Harding, McGill, Donnelly, Cholmondeley, Dean, Neel, Hanney, Wellman. Subs: Cooper, Grimoldby
3 March 1985
Southend Invicta 14 Doncaster 17
As Doncaster hadn't won an away game since October 1983 hopes were high for an Invicta win. However, despite creating several scoring opportunities Invicta made too many elementary mistakes and eventually lost a keenly fought contest to an effective Doncaster team.
Invicta: Tries: Briscoe, Wellman, Wilkes
Goals: Neel
Doncaster: Tries: D. Morris, G. Morris, Harrison
Goals: Noble (2, 1 dg)
Attendance: 124
Referee: Bernard Walker (Barrow)
Southend Invicta: Scanlon, Wadforth, Penola, Millington, Wilkes, Harding, Day, Donnelly, Cholmondeley, Dean, Neel, Briscoe, Wellman. Subs: Best, Atherton
10 March 1985
Southend Invicta 12 Salford 56
Invicta were totally outclassed by a very strong Salford team containing the likes of John Pendlebury, Mick McTigue, Darren Bloor, Clive Griffiths and Paul Fletcher.
Invicta: Tries: Day, Feighan
Goals: Neel, Cholmondeley
Salford: Tries: Fletcher (3), C. Griffiths (3), Byrne, Major, Marsh, Bentley
Goals: C. Griffiths (8)
Attendance: 114
Referee: Stan Wall (Leigh)
Southend Invicta: Scanlon, Feighan, Penola, Wilkes, Atherton, Harding, Day, Donnelly, Cholmondeley, Dean, Neel, Briscoe, Hanney. Subs: Carson, Atherton
16 March 1985
Salford 42 Southend Invicta 6
Invicta did slightly better the following Saturday in a game rearranged from 20 January but were still well beaten. Colin Penola scored a try after only 45 seconds and received an alarm clock for his achievement before the home game against Whitehaven on 24 March! Shortage of players meant that Coach Bill Goodwin had to name himself as substitute, even though he hadn't played
for five years. Fortunately he wasn't called upon to play.
Invicta: Tries: Atherton
Goals: Cholmondeley
Salford: Tries: Bloor (3), C. Griffiths (2), Byrne, Marsh, Muller
Goals: C. Griffiths (5)
Attendance: 1,134
Referee: Peter Crashley
Southend Invicta: Penola, Wilkes, Scanlon, Gillan, Atherton, Harding, Day, Donnelly, Cholmondeley, Briscoe, Carson, Best, Feighan. Subs: Goodwin, Dean
17 March 1985
Mansfield Marksman 18 Southend Invicta 31
Having been heavily defeated by Salford only 24 hours previously Invicta produced a miraculous performance against Mansfield, cruising to victory. They scored 29 points in the second half - the most points the team had scored since their formation as Kent Invicta in August 1983. This was to be Invicta's only away win of the season.
Invicta: Tries: Feighan, Cholmondeley, Best, Day, Gillan
Goals: Cholmondeley (5, 1dg)
Mansfield: Tries: Nicholson, Edgington, Cooper
Goals: Holden (3)
Attendance: 531
Referee: John Mean (Leyland)
Southend Invicta: Penola, McCafferty, Scanlon, Gillan, Atherton, Wilkes, Day, Donnelly, Cholmondeley, Dean, Carson, Briscoe, Feighan. Subs: Best, Grimoldby
24 March 1985
Southend Invicta 2 Whitehaven 22
Whitehaven had started the season well but had slipped to seventh place in the table by the time they arrived at Roots Hall for this game. They had the outstanding Vince Gribbin at centre who had scored a club record 6 tries in their 64-0 thrashing of Doncaster and who had recently made a try scoring debut for Great Britain against France.
Invicta: Tries:
Goals: Neel
Whitehaven: Tries: Simpson, Dalton, D'Leny, Fisher
Goals: Lightfoot (3)
Attendance: 151
Referee: Dave Carter (Widnes)
Southend Invicta: Penola, McCafferty, Hanney, Gillan, Atherton, Harding, Day, Donnelly, Cholmondeley, Dean, Neel, Briscoe, Feighan. Subs: Cooper, Carson
31 March 1985
Southend Invicta 10 Batley 15
Batley came to Roots Hall having done the double over Dewsbury (!) but had only just beaten bottom of the table Bridgend 14-9. Hopes were therefore high for a home win but Invicta disappointed yet again.
Invicta: Tries: Penola, Dean
Goals: Cholmondeley
Batley: Tries: Arnold, Madden
Goals: Oulton (3, 1dg)
Attendance: 134
Referee: Derek Fox (Wakefield)
Southend Invicta: Penola, Wilkes, Scanlon, Gillan, Atherton, Johnston, Harding, Donnelly, Cholmondeley, Dean, Briscoe, Neel, Hanney. Subs: Cooper, Best
5 April 1985
Fulham 24 Southend Invicta 17
No match report available.
Invicta: Tries: Wilkes (2)
Goals: Cholmondeley (4, 1dg)
Fulham: Tries: Mills, Bryan, Cambriani, Barrow
Goals: Wilkinson (4)
Attendance: 720
Referee: Fred Lindop (Wakefield)
Southend Invicta: Penola, Wilkes, Scanlon, Gillan, Atherton, Day, Harding, Donnelly, Cholmondeley, Briscoe, Neel, Carson, Feighan. Subs: Cooper, Dean
12 April 1985
Southend Invicta 14 Mansfield Marksman 12
This match should have been played on 25 November but the delay obviously favoured Invicta as they recorded their fist home win for over 5 months and their only double of the season.
Invicta: Tries: Feighan (2), Best
Goals: Neel
Mansfield: Tries: Willis, Brannan
Goals: Nicholson (2)
Attendance: 100
Referee: Frank Tickle (St Helens)
Southend Invicta: Penola, Wilkes, Scanlon, Gillan, Atherton, Day, Harding, Donnelly, Cholmondeley, Briscoe, Neel, Carson, Feighan. Subs: Cooper, Best
14 April 1985
Dewsbury 46 Southend Invicta 10
Two days after cheering Invicta to victory against Mansfield I was at Crown Flatt cheering Dewsbury to victory. Actually I had mixed emotions. Dewsbury had all but secured promotion and it was becoming ever clearer that Southend's future was very much in doubt. Dewsbury were a different team to the one I'd seen earlier in the season when they' performed so shambolically and they won this game at a canter.
Invicta: Tries: Feighan, Briscoe
Goals: Briscoe
Dewsbury: Tries: Dunford (3), Mason (2), Busfield, Richardson, Stephenson,
Vasey
Goals: Dunford (5)
Attendance: 883
Referee: Robin Whitfield (Widnes)
Southend Invicta: Penola, Wilkes, Scanlon, Gillan, Atherton, Day, Harding, Briscoe, Cholmondeley, Donnelly, Neel, Carson, Feighan. Subs: Cooper, McCafferty
21 April 1985
Southend Invicta 10 York 30
No match report available.
Invicta: Tries: Best, Day
Goals: Cholmondeley
York: Tries: Blackburn (2),G. Smith, Colley, White
Goals: Steadman (5)
Attendance: 136
Referee: Jim Smith (Halifax)
Southend Invicta: Penola, Wilkes, Scanlon, Gillan, Atherton, Day, Harding, Cholmondeley, Donnelly, Briscoe, Neel (?), Carson, Feighan. Subs: Not known
26 April 1985
Southend Invicta 16 Huddersfield Barracudas 24
There was an eerie silence as you entered the ground for Invicta's final ever home game. The
match should have kicked off at 8 pm but as the time arrived not a great deal of activity seemed to be taking place. I had the horrible feeling that I was about to attend my first professional Rugby League game which would be cancelled due to shortage of players. However the two teams did eventually appear to a cheer from the 85 spectators present.
True to form Invicta battled hard and lost, mainly due to the fact that they made more errors than Huddersfield. Twice they were guilty of wayward passes which were intercepted to pave the way for Huddersfield tries. The first allowed Huddersfield to get on level terms after they had trailed 10-4 and the second allowed them to seal victory in the final minute after they had been behind 16-11 just after the interval. The small band of Invicta fans did have three great tries to enthuse over. Calvin Wilkes and Tony McCafferty each showed a fine burst of speed to get down the flanks and cross the line for tries, and Tony Neel was all strength and muscle in in crashing his way over through the middle.
Invicta: Tries: Wilkes, Neel, McCafferty
Goals: Briscoe, Harding (2 dg)
Huddersfield: Tries: Leathley, Knight, J. Johnson, Thomas
Goals: Hirst (3), Pickerill (2 dg)
Attendance: 85
Referee: Ken Spencer (Warrington)
Southend Invicta: Penola, Wilkes, Scanlon, Gillan, McCafferty, Day, Harding, Donnelly, Cholmondeley, Briscoe, Neel, Hanney, Feighan. Subs: Cooper, Best
28 April 1985
Blackpool Borough 14 Southend Invicta 12
Another narrow defeat for Invicta's final ever game. No match report available.
Invicta: Tries: Cholmondeley, Anderson
Goals: Neel (2)
Blackpool: Tries: Frodsham (2), Price
Goals: Turley
Attendance: 250
Referee: Cliff Hodgson (Maryport)
Southend Invicta: Penola, Wilkes, Scanlon, Anderson, McCafferty, Day, Harding, Best, Grainey, Hanney, Noel, McGahan, Cholmondeley. Subs: Cooper, London
Southend Invicta 10 Swinton 28
No match report available.
Invicta: Tries: Atherton, Scanlon
Goals: Neel
Swinton: Tries: Snape (2), Jones, Melling
Goals: Jones (6)
Attendance: 307
Referee: Kevin Allatt (Southport)
Southend Invicta: Scanlon, Feighan, Elia, Penola, Atherton, Wellman, Harding, Alexander, Cholmondeley, Donnelly, Neel, Schaumkell, Johnston. Subs: Briscoe, Grimoldby
1 January 1985
Southend Invicta 14 Fulham 16
This was a match of great significance - the first time a local derby had been played between two professional Rugby League teams in the South for fifty years when Acton and Willesden (1935/36), Streatham and Mitcham (1935/37) and London Highfield (1933/34) had been in existence.
The game started in exciting fashion with John "Dallas" Donnelly punching Fulham's Gourley after only 60 seconds of play. Four minutes later Fulham were punished in more legitimate fashion when Dave Cholmondeley dropped a goal. It was ten minutes before Fulham got out of their own half, only for Johnston to intercept a wild pass and run 50 yards for a touchdown. Tony Neel converted the try and Invicta were 7-0 up.
A Neel penalty after 27 minutes made it 9-0 but the Fulham scrum half, Davis, soon powered through from a play the ball to reduce the arrears. Davis's pace took him clear again four minutes from the break, but he slipped as he tried to round Colin Penola, playing at full back, and the chance was lost.
Two penalties by Chris Wilkinson took Fulham to within one point but another interception try by Dave Cholmondeley restored Southend's five point advantage.
Wilkinson kicked Fulham backed into contention at 13-10 but Cholmondeley kicked another dropped goal to make it 14-10. Invicta's third win beckoned but belated Fulham pressure brought its reward when Rochford broke clear to level the scores and Chris Wilkinson sealed Fulham's victory with a simple conversion.
Invicta: Tries: Johnston, Cholmondeley
Goals: Neel (2), Cholmondeley (2 dg)
Fulham: Tries: Rochford, Davis
Goals: Wilkinson (4)
Attendance: 504
Referee: Frank Robinson (Leeds)
Southend Invicta: Penola, Feighan, Elia, Johnston, Gillan, Wellman, Harding, Alexander, Cholmondeley, Donnelly, Neel, Briscoe, Hanney. Subs: McGill, Dean
27 January 1985
Southend Invicta 2 Blackpool Borough 27
Severe frost and snow had led to the postponement of the games at home to Huddersfield (January 13) and away to Salford (January 20). The lay off didn't help Southend and they were totally outclassed. The lay off and bad weather also affected the attendance - a pathetic crowd of 86 watching. This was the beginning of the end for Invicta.
Invicta: Tries:
Goals: Cholmondeley
Blackpool: Tries: Brennan (2), Bailey (2), Sivori
Goals: Turley (3), O'Loughlin (dg)
Attendance: 86
Referee: John Holdsworth (Kippax)
Southend Invicta: Scanlon, Feighan, Elia, Atherton, Gillan, Wellman, Harding, Donnelly, Cholmondeley, Dean, Grimoldby, Briscoe, Penola. Subs: McGill, Wilkes
3 February 1985
Whitehaven 22 Southend Invicta 8
No match report available. This was Mark Elia's last match for Invicta, having been called up for the New Zealand International Training squad.
Invicta: Tries: Elia, Gillan
Goals:
Whitehaven: Tries: Gribbin, Cameron, Dalton, Huddart
Goals: Cameron (3)
Attendance: 1,327
Referee: Fred Lindop (Wakefield)
Southend Invicta: Wilkes, Gillan, Penola, Millington, Atherton, Elia, McCafferty, Alexander, Cholmondeley, Donnelly, Neel, Briscoe, Feighan. Subs: Dean, Harding
24 February 1985
Bradford Northern 50 Southend Invicta 18 (Silk Cut Challenge Cup First Round)
Invicta's biggest game of the season. Although by no means the greatest Bradford Northern team ever (they eventually finished mid table in the First Division that season) they had the immortal Ellery Hanley playing at stand off together with Jeff Grayshon (another stalwart in Dewsbury's 1973 championship winning team), Keith Mumby and Brian Noble.
Southend had been drawn at home but the club's deteriorating financial position had meant an inevitable switch to Odsal. This caused great controversy with the Supporters Club much perturbed by the decision. Peter Jones, secretary of the Supporters Club, stated: "This move makes a mockery of the Club's supposedly long-term expansionist policy and has done nothing to maintain our credibility with the game's Governing Body and other Clubs in the League."
The game should have been played on 10 February but the continuing bad weather had meant the game had been postponed and the freeze meant further postponements on 14, 17 and 19 February. The game was eventually played two weeks after the original date. Invicta certainly didn't disgrace themselves. Playing some excellent open rugby they scored three tries through Atherton, Donnelly and man of the match Harding and earned the respect of both the home crowd and the northern press.
Invicta: Tries: Atherton, Harding, Donnelly
Goals: Neel (2), Cholmondeley (2 dg) Briscoe (dg)
Bradford: Tries: Hanley (3), Rathbone, Kellaway, Fleming, Heron, Crossley
Goals: Parrish (9)
Attendance: 3,297
Referee: Ken Spencer (Warrington)
Southend Invicta: Scanlon, Gillan, Penola, Millington, Atherton, Harding, McGill, Donnelly, Cholmondeley, Dean, Neel, Hanney, Wellman. Subs: Cooper, Grimoldby
3 March 1985
Southend Invicta 14 Doncaster 17
As Doncaster hadn't won an away game since October 1983 hopes were high for an Invicta win. However, despite creating several scoring opportunities Invicta made too many elementary mistakes and eventually lost a keenly fought contest to an effective Doncaster team.
Invicta: Tries: Briscoe, Wellman, Wilkes
Goals: Neel
Doncaster: Tries: D. Morris, G. Morris, Harrison
Goals: Noble (2, 1 dg)
Attendance: 124
Referee: Bernard Walker (Barrow)
Southend Invicta: Scanlon, Wadforth, Penola, Millington, Wilkes, Harding, Day, Donnelly, Cholmondeley, Dean, Neel, Briscoe, Wellman. Subs: Best, Atherton
10 March 1985
Southend Invicta 12 Salford 56
Invicta were totally outclassed by a very strong Salford team containing the likes of John Pendlebury, Mick McTigue, Darren Bloor, Clive Griffiths and Paul Fletcher.
Invicta: Tries: Day, Feighan
Goals: Neel, Cholmondeley
Salford: Tries: Fletcher (3), C. Griffiths (3), Byrne, Major, Marsh, Bentley
Goals: C. Griffiths (8)
Attendance: 114
Referee: Stan Wall (Leigh)
Southend Invicta: Scanlon, Feighan, Penola, Wilkes, Atherton, Harding, Day, Donnelly, Cholmondeley, Dean, Neel, Briscoe, Hanney. Subs: Carson, Atherton
16 March 1985
Salford 42 Southend Invicta 6
Invicta did slightly better the following Saturday in a game rearranged from 20 January but were still well beaten. Colin Penola scored a try after only 45 seconds and received an alarm clock for his achievement before the home game against Whitehaven on 24 March! Shortage of players meant that Coach Bill Goodwin had to name himself as substitute, even though he hadn't played
for five years. Fortunately he wasn't called upon to play.
Invicta: Tries: Atherton
Goals: Cholmondeley
Salford: Tries: Bloor (3), C. Griffiths (2), Byrne, Marsh, Muller
Goals: C. Griffiths (5)
Attendance: 1,134
Referee: Peter Crashley
Southend Invicta: Penola, Wilkes, Scanlon, Gillan, Atherton, Harding, Day, Donnelly, Cholmondeley, Briscoe, Carson, Best, Feighan. Subs: Goodwin, Dean
17 March 1985
Mansfield Marksman 18 Southend Invicta 31
Having been heavily defeated by Salford only 24 hours previously Invicta produced a miraculous performance against Mansfield, cruising to victory. They scored 29 points in the second half - the most points the team had scored since their formation as Kent Invicta in August 1983. This was to be Invicta's only away win of the season.
Invicta: Tries: Feighan, Cholmondeley, Best, Day, Gillan
Goals: Cholmondeley (5, 1dg)
Mansfield: Tries: Nicholson, Edgington, Cooper
Goals: Holden (3)
Attendance: 531
Referee: John Mean (Leyland)
Southend Invicta: Penola, McCafferty, Scanlon, Gillan, Atherton, Wilkes, Day, Donnelly, Cholmondeley, Dean, Carson, Briscoe, Feighan. Subs: Best, Grimoldby
24 March 1985
Southend Invicta 2 Whitehaven 22
Whitehaven had started the season well but had slipped to seventh place in the table by the time they arrived at Roots Hall for this game. They had the outstanding Vince Gribbin at centre who had scored a club record 6 tries in their 64-0 thrashing of Doncaster and who had recently made a try scoring debut for Great Britain against France.
Invicta: Tries:
Goals: Neel
Whitehaven: Tries: Simpson, Dalton, D'Leny, Fisher
Goals: Lightfoot (3)
Attendance: 151
Referee: Dave Carter (Widnes)
Southend Invicta: Penola, McCafferty, Hanney, Gillan, Atherton, Harding, Day, Donnelly, Cholmondeley, Dean, Neel, Briscoe, Feighan. Subs: Cooper, Carson
31 March 1985
Southend Invicta 10 Batley 15
Batley came to Roots Hall having done the double over Dewsbury (!) but had only just beaten bottom of the table Bridgend 14-9. Hopes were therefore high for a home win but Invicta disappointed yet again.
Invicta: Tries: Penola, Dean
Goals: Cholmondeley
Batley: Tries: Arnold, Madden
Goals: Oulton (3, 1dg)
Attendance: 134
Referee: Derek Fox (Wakefield)
Southend Invicta: Penola, Wilkes, Scanlon, Gillan, Atherton, Johnston, Harding, Donnelly, Cholmondeley, Dean, Briscoe, Neel, Hanney. Subs: Cooper, Best
5 April 1985
Fulham 24 Southend Invicta 17
No match report available.
Invicta: Tries: Wilkes (2)
Goals: Cholmondeley (4, 1dg)
Fulham: Tries: Mills, Bryan, Cambriani, Barrow
Goals: Wilkinson (4)
Attendance: 720
Referee: Fred Lindop (Wakefield)
Southend Invicta: Penola, Wilkes, Scanlon, Gillan, Atherton, Day, Harding, Donnelly, Cholmondeley, Briscoe, Neel, Carson, Feighan. Subs: Cooper, Dean
12 April 1985
Southend Invicta 14 Mansfield Marksman 12
This match should have been played on 25 November but the delay obviously favoured Invicta as they recorded their fist home win for over 5 months and their only double of the season.
Invicta: Tries: Feighan (2), Best
Goals: Neel
Mansfield: Tries: Willis, Brannan
Goals: Nicholson (2)
Attendance: 100
Referee: Frank Tickle (St Helens)
Southend Invicta: Penola, Wilkes, Scanlon, Gillan, Atherton, Day, Harding, Donnelly, Cholmondeley, Briscoe, Neel, Carson, Feighan. Subs: Cooper, Best
14 April 1985
Dewsbury 46 Southend Invicta 10
Two days after cheering Invicta to victory against Mansfield I was at Crown Flatt cheering Dewsbury to victory. Actually I had mixed emotions. Dewsbury had all but secured promotion and it was becoming ever clearer that Southend's future was very much in doubt. Dewsbury were a different team to the one I'd seen earlier in the season when they' performed so shambolically and they won this game at a canter.
Invicta: Tries: Feighan, Briscoe
Goals: Briscoe
Dewsbury: Tries: Dunford (3), Mason (2), Busfield, Richardson, Stephenson,
Vasey
Goals: Dunford (5)
Attendance: 883
Referee: Robin Whitfield (Widnes)
Southend Invicta: Penola, Wilkes, Scanlon, Gillan, Atherton, Day, Harding, Briscoe, Cholmondeley, Donnelly, Neel, Carson, Feighan. Subs: Cooper, McCafferty
21 April 1985
Southend Invicta 10 York 30
No match report available.
Invicta: Tries: Best, Day
Goals: Cholmondeley
York: Tries: Blackburn (2),G. Smith, Colley, White
Goals: Steadman (5)
Attendance: 136
Referee: Jim Smith (Halifax)
Southend Invicta: Penola, Wilkes, Scanlon, Gillan, Atherton, Day, Harding, Cholmondeley, Donnelly, Briscoe, Neel (?), Carson, Feighan. Subs: Not known
26 April 1985
Southend Invicta 16 Huddersfield Barracudas 24
There was an eerie silence as you entered the ground for Invicta's final ever home game. The
match should have kicked off at 8 pm but as the time arrived not a great deal of activity seemed to be taking place. I had the horrible feeling that I was about to attend my first professional Rugby League game which would be cancelled due to shortage of players. However the two teams did eventually appear to a cheer from the 85 spectators present.
True to form Invicta battled hard and lost, mainly due to the fact that they made more errors than Huddersfield. Twice they were guilty of wayward passes which were intercepted to pave the way for Huddersfield tries. The first allowed Huddersfield to get on level terms after they had trailed 10-4 and the second allowed them to seal victory in the final minute after they had been behind 16-11 just after the interval. The small band of Invicta fans did have three great tries to enthuse over. Calvin Wilkes and Tony McCafferty each showed a fine burst of speed to get down the flanks and cross the line for tries, and Tony Neel was all strength and muscle in in crashing his way over through the middle.
Invicta: Tries: Wilkes, Neel, McCafferty
Goals: Briscoe, Harding (2 dg)
Huddersfield: Tries: Leathley, Knight, J. Johnson, Thomas
Goals: Hirst (3), Pickerill (2 dg)
Attendance: 85
Referee: Ken Spencer (Warrington)
Southend Invicta: Penola, Wilkes, Scanlon, Gillan, McCafferty, Day, Harding, Donnelly, Cholmondeley, Briscoe, Neel, Hanney, Feighan. Subs: Cooper, Best
28 April 1985
Blackpool Borough 14 Southend Invicta 12
Another narrow defeat for Invicta's final ever game. No match report available.
Invicta: Tries: Cholmondeley, Anderson
Goals: Neel (2)
Blackpool: Tries: Frodsham (2), Price
Goals: Turley
Attendance: 250
Referee: Cliff Hodgson (Maryport)
Southend Invicta: Penola, Wilkes, Scanlon, Anderson, McCafferty, Day, Harding, Best, Grainey, Hanney, Noel, McGahan, Cholmondeley. Subs: Cooper, London