The Moss Vale Post of the day reported that, "Mr Harrold wore an apprehensive expression at the meeting on Thursday night as he rose from his seat to seek forgiveness for the non-appearance of the Bowral players at Nepean Dam on Saturday, June 14."

In his plea, old Joe said, "I have a request to make Mr Chairman. Last Saturday, when the Bowral players were to meet Nepean Dam, a riot occurred in Bowral, when revolvers were drawn. Three of our players went to the 'cooler' and two took to the bush. They were last seen out near Bullio. On top of that my car went missing, along with the footballs and our team of thirteen stalwarts was seriously disbanded. I tried to ring Nepean Dam on that fateful Saturday afternoon and advise them of the affair, but could not get through on the telephone."

The league took a sympathetic view of the business and authorised that the game be played at a date convenient to both teams.

The Moss Vale Post's report of the 'riot' that led to the arrest of these three footballers graphically described the situation:

"Nepean Dam footballers awaited the arrival of their opponents from Bowral on Saturday afternoon, oblivious of the fact that some of the Gib-Town players were engaged in a more serious defence than that of a goal-line. They were endeavouring to protect their home town against a police invasion. A party of Sydney detectives had arrived earlier in the afternoon to wage war on the starting price bookmakers. Constable Chuck led the attack against two hotels and made several unchallenged arrests. Sensing the possibility of further unchallenged success, the detectives broke company and entered a third hotel. Espying another victim, a move was made to effect his arrest, but unfortunately for them, the footballers were there to resent any further onslaught upon Bowral's citizens. Surging around the police in a manner suggestive of anything but good friendship and kind welcome, they launched the attack. Civilians, footballers and police became mixed in a melee, the like of which was hitherto foreign to the township of Bowral. The seat of battle waged inside and out, flying fists and jostling men soon found a victim. It was a policeman. A well measured left had caused the constable to stagger and fall prostrate on the footpath. A mate rushed over to protect him from further ill-treatment and a punch on the face was sufficient to render him hors de combat."

At this stage it seems the visiting policemen feared for their safety, so drew their guns and arrested the offenders.

As the Post reporter quaintly noted, "the revolvers had a quietening effect upon the crowd."

In court later, three were charged with illegal betting, two for assaulting the police and one for uttering insulting words.

Just another quiet Saturday afternoon in downtown Bowral, back in those wild and woolly thirties when men were men and the cats were nervous.  

And a huge thank you to Moss Vale historian David Baxter for the photograph of the 1934 group 6 rugby league team. There are a few well-known Southern Highlands names among that bunch of solid looking gentlemen.

Back Row: J.Sutherland, H.Smith, G Elliott, E Pickard, Mr Payne, G.King, R.Greentree, A Miller, G.King (vc).

Second Row: H.Irvine, S.Meehan (Manager), J.O'Malley (c), R.T.Friend (Manager), W.York.

Front Row: A.Cupitt, R.Brown, J.Wheeler, P.Brooke.

Contrary to popular belief, David's research indicates that rugby league didn't began around these parts in 1914. The first teams were Moss Vale (royal blue), Bowral (red, white and blue), Mittagong (blue and gold), Robertson (reds), Picton, Thirlmere and Wildes Meadow (black with stars).