ONE of Leigh RLFC's top three-quarters who starred in a famous cup win over St Helens has died.

St Helens-born centre Ted Kerwick was the final link with St Helens Recs team of pre-war days having joined the club as a 16-year-old in 1938.

As a schoolboy he represented St Helens town and Lancashire Schoolboys then worked in the building trade and figured in Recs’ last game at Hull KR in 1939, and kept the match ball which he donated to the City Road Hall of Fame.

Now a free agent with Recs having disbanded on Manchester Victoria station, Kerwick joined Oldham and guested for Wigan prior to enlisting in the Royal Artillery. But, on demob in 1946, Ted found travelling to Watersheddings a grind and signed for Leigh.

That was a shrewd move both for Kerwick and the Leigh club. During his time at Kirkhall Lane, Ted earned county and international recognition but a highlight of his time at Leigh was his appearance in the Lancashire Cup Final versus Saints in 1952.

Kerwick formed a lethal left-wing partnership with Frank Kitchen, and marking Saints' hard man Duggie Greenall enjoyed his best game in a Leigh jersey in ‘making’ three of his side’s four tries as the Hilton Park team turned the form book upside down with a 22-5 victory.

The following year he moved to Workington Town and ended his playing days at Widnes.

He died at his Windle home, aged 88, and leaves Audrey, his wife of 63 years, son Philip, daughter-in-law Margaret, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren plus sisters Margaret, Jean and Mavis.

A funeral service was held at St. Teresa’s church, Newtown followed by cremation.