Anniversary of BC’s Win Over the British Lions in 1966
Jason Beck, the curator of the BC Sports Hall of Fame, tweeted out a reminder this morning that today was the anniversary of possibly the greatest victory in BC rugby history.
“September 14th-On This Day in BC Sport History: 1966
The BC Rugby Union representative side defeats the British Lions 8-3 at Vancouver’s Empire Stadium, only the 2nd time ever the Lions were defeated by a provincial side. Late in the game, BC’s Ted Hunt stopped a sure try, popped the ball loose, raced the other way down the sideline, and laid a perfect kick on the run that came to a stop under the goalposts. It was pounced on by charging BC prop Peter Grantham for the winning points and arguably the greatest victory in BC rugby history.”
The Lions that year had started their tour in Australia in May. They went through their first 8 games in Australia without a loss, including two test wins over the Wallabies. They then travelled to NZ for their next 24 matches where they claimed 14 wins, 2 draws, and 8 losses. The losses were to the representative sides Southland, Otago, Wellington, Wanganui/King Country, they also lost all four tests with the All Blacks.
They left NZ after their final All Black test on Sept 10th and played BC in Vancouver on Sept 14th. BC won that match 8-3, the Lions then travelled to Toronto where they defeated Canada 19-8 to end the tour.
From the BC Rugby Hall of Fame
The 1966 BC Men’s Team
Inducted 2006
In one of the most brilliant matches in Canadian rugby history, the 1966 BC Men’s team defeated the British Lions by a score of 8-3 at Empire Stadium in Vancouver. The date was September 14th, 1966 and a try by Peter Grantham, converted by Don Burgess, cemented the “victory for the ages” in the proud history of rugby in British Columbia.
Back: Ross McDonald, David Milne, Dick Layzell, Bill Taylor, Mike Chambers, Chuck Pentland, Al Bianco, Tom Browne.
Front: Jim Ryan, Gary Fumano, Peter Grantham, Ted Hunt (captain), Don Burgess, Tim Cummings, Brian McKee.
BC v British Lions Match Report
from Coventry Evening Telegraph, Sep 15 1966
Canada v British Lions Match Report
from Birmingham Post, Sep 19 1966
