ST GEORGE skipper Michael Beattie kept the Saints marching towards a possible semi-final berth with an inspirational performance against Balmain in an historic encounter at Adelaide Oval last night.
Before a crowd of 28,884 — a record attendance for a Friday night Winfield Cup match — evergreen centre Beattie produced the match sealing try as the Dragons forged a comfortable 16-2 triumph.
It was fitting that Beattie played a central role in the first major rugby league fixture in Adelaide as five years ago he had a career-saving groin operation in the ‘city of churches’.
Beattie, 30, had been bothered by a severe groin injury since the 1985 finals series but the problem was rectified after a visit late in 1986 to Adelaide surgeon Dr James Hyde.
The successful surgery prevented an early exit from the game for Beattie and last night he celebrated his 174th first grade appearance with a win that could see the Dragons in the top five pending the results of other matches this weekend.
Beattie later revealed he had required a pain-killing injection to complete the second half of the match after damaging his right shoulder.
Saints’ coach Brian Smith praised Beattie for an outstanding contribution.
“Michael’s really leading from the front now and he had a great game tonight,” Smith said.
Smith also singled out fullback Michael Potter for his gutsy work and the former Canterbury custodian was later rewarded with the man-of-the-match honour.
The match was played in greasy conditions with rain falling steadily in the first half and the soggy cricket pitch area of the ground suited Saints’ bulkier pack.
Tries to centre Mark Coyne in the eighth minute and Great Britain wing sensation Martin Offiah in the 31st minute helped Saints to a handy 10-2 lead at half-time.
Balmain’s points came from captain and halfback Brian Smith’s close-range penalty.
The lead was even more advantageous considering Saints had a strong wind at their backs in the second half but an understrength Balmain fought back valiantly after the break.
But the challenge was killed off by Beattie’s late try with the Saints’ skipper running on to a clever kick into the in-goal area from halfback Troy Hodges to score between the posts.
Beattie also had an important hand in Offiah’s first half touchdown and produced his usual solid work in defence.
“We really had to match their enthusiasm after half-time because this was the last throw of the dice for them,” Beattie said.
Balmain coach Alan Jones said the conditions did not suit his fairly inexperienced and lightweight pack.
Balmain went into this game without the key trio of Benny Elias, Garry Jack and John Elias and they could be adding playmaker Smith to the casualty toll.
Smith was nursing a painful rib injury after receiving plenty of attention from the Saints who tried earnestly to nullify his potentially lethal kicking game.
Both sides ran around the ground at the end of the game to salute the large crowd.
