Had a look at that site for Les Boyd, in a lot of the videos he seemed to be playing with a number 9 on his shirt. Did he play hooker over there? (Sorry in advance for drifting).

1. Brett Hodgson
2. Joel Monaghan
3. Matt King
4. Toa Kohe-Love
5. Chris Hicks
6. Lee Briers
7. Alan Langer
8. Adrian Morley
9. Michael Monaghan
10. Gareth Carvell
11. Ben Westwood
12. Trent Waterhouse
13. Paul Sculthorpe

14. Daryl Clark
15. Tawera Nikau
16. David Solomona
17. Brent Grose

In the old NSW comp they numbered the pack in a (to us) unusual manner with the back row wearing 8,9 and 10, the props 11 and 13 and hooker at 12. Can't remember when they changed it to concur with the rest of the RL world. It may have been the advent of Super League.

You must be a similar age to myself, with a much better memory.

I remember dessie, and also have the same memories of him being error prone. I seem to remember a few passes being fumbled into touch with space ahead of him. Then there was the pace that couldn't really be matched. One thing that I don't think is in doubt, is how how tough he was.

On the subject of Dessie, he acquired the nickname of 'Teflon' for his latter years with us. 'Dessie with the non stick hands' one jolly chap used to shout from the scoreboard corner.
Yes he was error prone but was still a great finisher even when the blinding pace had gone and his defence was always fierce despite his technique being his own.
As another poster mentioned we should have tried to get Des and John Woods 3 or 4 years earlier than we did. Woods and Andy Gregory would have been a hell of a half combination.

I enjoyed Mike Forshaw's story about making his debut (for Wigan) against Warrington, and being on the receiving end of Des tackling him with his head, and lying on the ground winded thinking "is rugby league really the game for me...?"

The other thing I remember about watching Dessie run, was how natural his running form was. His head and body were virtually still, carried along by a blur of legs. He looked like a track sprinter with a ball under his arm. Other players who were breaking clear would look like they were straining to stay ahead of the chasers, Des just looked like speed came easy. I don't remember him doing many sidesteps or jinking round people, he just hugged the touchline and backed himself to beat people for speed.

Joel monaghan scored a try per game. Chris hicks scored the best hat trick Wembley has ever seen. Yet every person who has seen dessie play in 87/88 has to choose which one of those 2 to leave out. That tells you all you need to know about Des!

Roughly started watching in 2002/03.

1. Brett Hodgson
2. Joel Monaghan
3. Martin Gleeson
4. Matt King
5. Chris Hicks
6. Lee Briers
7. Chris Sandow
8. Adrian Morley
9. Michael Monaghan
10. Gareth Carvell
11. LAnderson
12. Trent Waterhouse
13. Ben Westwood

14. Daryl Clark
15. Stefan Ratchford
16. Chris Hill
17. Paul Wood

Notable mentions to: Simon Grix, Ben Harrison, Ben Currie pushing at back row/loose forward. At fullback Grose scored some impressive tries but Hodgson really made us tick when he joined along with Monas & Briers. Atkins, Bridge and Hiku all had impressive stints but for raw athleticism I went for King and in terms of pure skill & being able to find your winger I went for Gleeson, regardless of the reputation off the field. Again, same reasons for Sandow based on talent - just so creative and could spark a try out of thin air, although I did love Nat Woods grittiness and never say die attitude. Austin has the potential to displace Sandow if he can continue his good form from last year and stay injury free with us for a couple more years. No wingers other than Charnley really come into my head, in terms of who can win you a game in the final seconds or score a freakish try like them. Hicks’ & Mona’s try scoring records speak for themselves and come the big games they never shied way.

I think our most formidable pack in the last twenty years was when we had the likes Morley, Carvell, Hill, Wood, Harrison and Cooper all rotating off one and other from 2009-2012. It’s a shame and really disappointing we’ve been unable to have a big aggressive intimating pack since that period.. it’s definitely an area we’ve struggled in recruitment wise since the other four above retired/moved on.

Dezzie was exciting to watch, but I do remember the 'error prone' bit and that's really why I put him being Hicks and Monaghan.

I also remember the infamous Boxing Day match at Naughton Park when all hell let loose and Dezzie punched a spectator. That made the national news! (And we lost I think)

1. Hodgson
2. J. Monaghan
3. King
4. J. Davies
5. Hicks
6. Briers
7. Langer
8. Morley
9. M. Monaghan
10. Hill
11. Westwood
12. Grix
13. Gregory


Clark
Harris
Carvell
Cooper

Interesting to see how many people have Carvell/Hill over Cooper. Still don’t think he gets the recognition he deserves. Been a great servant to us. Been out best prop consistently now for a few years.

Sorry pal it wasn't a boxing day game it was an end of season premiership semi final..your right with the all hell let loose bit tho..it made the ITN news too...sure Kevin tamati came on the pitch with a mega phone to plea for peace as fans were belting hell out of each other...

I was there the day the match erupted at Widnes into the biggest match brawl I've ever seen. The players tipped over the wall punches flying everywhere...It was Mark Roberts I think who got caught with a haymaker from one of his own team mates. The match also involved a mass invasion of the pitch by it seemed about 200 of Warrington's finest youth. The Des Drummond incident happened right in front of me. A not so young Widnes fan stood just about on the pitch accompanied by his young son(about 10 years old I should think) and hurled abuse at Des Drummond. Des had a look of surprise on his face with a a little fear I should imagine and he clocked him one. Later in the week an appeal was made in the Guardian for anybody who witnessed the debacle. Thinking of my civil duty I stepped forward and appeared in Crown Court to give evidence of what I saw. To my surprise I made the jury laugh a couple of times. When that happened I just knew what the verdict would be....Des Drummond found not guilty of the charge of GBH. Some time afterwards Des attended a birthday party thrown for me by the great she devil. He presented me with an expensive looking pair of kid gloves. I had never met Des before that night. Incidentally when I was asked in court whether or not I knew Des Drummond I answered truthfully that I only knew him through being a RL fan. He's a top bloke is Des.