Keith
Bridges (497) was widely regarded as the league’s number one possession-winner from
the scrums, the fastest striker of the ball. Playing down the road at Belle Vue
was the man widely regarded as the next best after Bridges. So Rovers moved
smartly and signed Wakefield hooker Ray Handscombe (553). After starting his career
at Leeds, Ray had played for our neighbours between 1974 and 1979, clocking up
a total
of 132 games. When he arrived at Featherstone he slotted straight into the
first team, where he formed a solid front row combination with Mick Morgan
(552), Alan Bence (557) and Mick Gibbins (505). Apart from his ball-winning
skills, Handscombe was active in the loose, known for his backing up and a
tough tackler.
His first job
was to get Featherstone out of the Second Division, achieved at the first
attempt in 1980. Rovers then consolidated in the top flight. Gary Siddall (551)
slotted into the front row, and that was the winning combination that took Rovers
to Wembley in 1983. In Ray’s finest hour he combined with Tex Hudson (487) effectively
to starve Hull of possession at crucial stages of the match, getting the better
of his opposite number Keith Bridges and winning the scrums 11-5.
Over the
course of his five years in the number nine shirt he was challenged for his
position by a variety of aspirants. John McNeill (560) from Castleford played a
few games before moving to Leeds. Neil Gray (562) was signed on loan from
Doncaster, Tony O’Toole (572) came through the ranks and was capped by GB
Colts, and Craig Wright (579) was another local product. None could move the
redoubtable Handscombe.
In
a pre-season friendly against Dewsbury at the start of the following year Ray
broke his leg and so at 33 quit playing. He did make a single game comeback in November
1984 to help Rovers out of a crisis in a match against Leigh which we won 13-6.
After winning the scrums one last time Ray retired again having played 127
games and scored 15 tries for Featherstone. He then turned to coaching and had
a successful spell with the Rovers Colts team.
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