Ernest “Snowy” Martin, son of a Miner, was born in the Portland area near Lithgow, NSW. He played rugby league with the Wallerawang Rovers Club in the Lithgow competition as early as 1928.
Snowy was selected for the Lithgow District team in 1928. The Lithgow District team played against visiting Sydney teams as well as other regional towns in the Western District.
Towards the end of the 1929 season, the Wallerawang Rovers were scheduled to play a local Lithgow team. Against the direction of the Lithgow District Rugby League, Wallerawang travelled to Mudgee to play that team.
As a result, all Wallerawang players were disqualified for 12 months and E. Martin “who so flagrantly disobeyed the Committee’s ruling”, received a two year disqualification. It was reported that; “Martin’s extra penalty came as a bombshell to the delegates as it was only recently that he received his chance to play in the Lithgow district team. Each time he has turned out he has shown marked ability.”
The ban on all Wallerawang players including Snowy Martin was lifted in March 1930 after delegates from the Wallerawang Club and Snowy Martin made a personal appearance before the Committee. Each of them expressed regret at the action which had brought about the disqualification.
Snowy Martin was now able to trial for the Lithgow District representative team and was selected in the squad in April 1930. This however is the last record of Snowy Martin playing in Lithgow.