Mark’s long apprenticeship at Blacksmiths quickly paid dividends. By October, 1968 he was in the Newcastle team to compete at the NSW Schoolboys Championships. In large, atrocious conditions at North Steyne Mark placed 2nd in the 14 Years and Under. Redhead’s Col Smith, on the right in the photo, placed 3rd in the same division. Both Mark and Col were eleven years old, so 3 years under the division winner’s age. Ian Moore, centre in the photo, spectacularly won the other division, the 15 Years and Over.