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| Friday 31 st July 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
JUNIOR LEAGUE CARNIVAL REACHES NEW HEIGHTS FOOTY FEVER: Rugby league fever is set to hit an all-time high in Junee during the 67th Riverina Schoolboys Rugby League Carnival on Saturday. The largest of its kind, the carnival will draw hundreds of junior players from across the Riverina and interstate. Junee will field its own teams, including local players (back, from left) Luke Kerlin, Brad McCarthy, Will Holt, Hayden Hawke, Andrew McCarthy, Partick Sweeney, Sebastian McInerney, (middle) Patrick Allamby, Harrison Cowled, Liam Sweeney, Hayden Bradley, AJ Bradley, (front) Jacob Holt and Connor McInerney. |
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 THERE was just reward for the Group One Under-14 Taipans rugby league representative team at the country championships last weekend. The team, made up of boys from the local area, has been training since January. Under the guidance of Steve Coleman of the Ballina Seagulls, the group turned into a talented rugby league combination. They defeated Groups Two, Three and 18 convincingly to take the title. Coleman received strong support from manager Cran Follent and trainers Rick Bugden and David Green. The Under-13s also performed well at the championships, showing great potential as an improving squad of young rugby league players. |
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 In what was described as the ladies best performance of the season, the Glen side turned it on five minutes into the first half as each team member showed vision and skill, completely dominating the Armidale Rams and reversing the result of their last encounter in a nine tries to two thrashing. When the Armidale Rams couldn’t outplay the Magpies they tried to out muscle them in a very physical match which finally boiled over mid way through the second half when an Armidale player threw punches at Glen’s Fiona Williamson resulting in an all in brawl, quite possible the first seen in the ladies group 19 competition. As the Glen team went to the aid of their team mate all the referee could do in an attempt to diffuse the situation was wrap as many girls up as he could and tackle them to the ground. The Armidale player was subsequently sent from the field. The remainder of the game was an anticlimax with both teams rattled and struggling to complete their sets the Magpies held on for a win cementing their third place ranking on 20 points, just one point behind second placed Inverell 21 and chasing competition leaders Guyra on 26. Glen have three games to play against bottom of the table Tingha in Tingha on Saturday, Inverell and fourth placed Warialda as they look to a finals spot. |
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| Thursday 30 th July 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NSWCHS ST. MARY'S CUP The NSW CHS ST. Mary's Cup is a Sydney competition for the elite High Schools. With most of the Sports High Schools playing, this is one of the toughest schoolboys rugby league competitons in Australia. It's down to the final in this years NSWCHS St. MARY'S Cup. Matraville SHS play Westfields SHS, there are 3 games on today at St. Mary's Staudium at St. Mary's. Tomorrow Endeavour SHS take on south coast powerhouse Kiama High School in the Arrive alive Cup. |
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 SAINT Stanislaus’ College have seen their Arrive Alive Cup bid come to an end at the hands of St Gregory’s College, going down 40-0 at their Number One Field yesterday. While Stannies went into the match of the belief that they could come away with a win, they were always going to struggle against a team that is widely recognised as a powerhouse in schoolboy rugby league. Stannies coach Paul McDonald praised his side after the game, but conceded that they were outclassed by the size and skill of the St Greg’s team. “St Greg’s were good in attack, they got a lot of momentum. They have two Australian Schoolboys props and a few boys who played for the state side, so they got a lot of momentum on us,” he said. “While we defended well they just kept going forward and used their momentum to score their tries out wide.” St Greg’s dominated from the outset, getting the opening try early in the first half and at the break they held a comfortable 24-0 lead. They added another three tries in the second half to take the score out to 40-0 and while Stannies also created a handful of opportunities, they couldn’t crack the Greg’s defence. McDonald said he was proud of his team for their efforts and the fact that they never gave up, even late in the second half when the game had gotten away from them. “The school should be very proud of the boys because they tried from the word go. They thought they had a chance of winning, they never gave up and kept going until the end,” he said. “They loved the collisions in defence and they certainly put some shots in, they didn’t get a try today but they were pushing down the left side trying to exploit what’s down there, but it’s a credit to our boys that they kept going.” McDonald paid credit to impressive prop Angus Brotherton, who had a difficult role against two of the best forwards in the competition. “I just want to give a wrap to Angus Brotherton who I thought was not only our best but he could have been the best on the field. He played front row, he’s only a small fellow and he really took it to these school boys and showed that he is a player of the future,” he said. “Our whole forward pack tried their hardest but they stood in front of a bigger opposition and had their own little victories at times.” Rugby league has grown in popularity at Stannies and while McDonald is realistic about it’s status compared to union, he said he was satisfied with the success of the code. “As far as league goes we use it as an opportunity for kids to play sport. It’s not about playing league or union, union will always be the dominant sport here and there’s not much more we can do with the league,” the Stannies coach said. McDonald also said that while it was satisfying to make the top 32 teams in the Arrive Alive Cup, he was proud of his team for winning the regional division over Dubbo Senior Campus, Red Bend College and St John’s of Dubbo. |
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 ORANGE’S Robbie Mortimer may not be the most well known of the Mortimer family, but the promising young fullback, who played for Bathurst’s St Stanislaus College in their Arrive Alive Cup campaign this year, has the potential to join his brother Daniel in the NRL. Daniel Mortimer, an Orange CYMS junior, was at Stannies on Tuesday to watch Robbie play in the match against St Gregory’s and while the Bathurst school may have been 40-0 losers, the Eels halfback is still impressed with what he saw. “I thought he (Robbie) played pretty well. They’ve come up against a pretty hard team who are from a league school and have been training from day dot - but the boys did alright,” Daniel said after the game. “It’s a union school but it’s good to see them taking league more seriously.” The older brother said that he enjoyed getting out to Robbie’s games when his Parramatta commitments allowed him to and he had high praise for the fullback. “When Robbie’s playing I always try to get out and support him and see how he’s going,” he said. “I think providing he keeps listening and improving, he can go all the way. He’s got an enormous amount of potential and he’s got a bit of size, which is something I don’t have, so he has the wood over me there.” Robbie and Daniel are the second generation of Mortimers to get into league. Their father Peter, who was also at Monday’s game, and uncles Steve and Chris were dominant figures for Canterbury during the 1980s. Daniel has already begun to forge an NRL career with the Parramatta Eels in 2009 after coming through their Toyota Cup under 20s side and, while the Eels have had an up and down season, he hasn’t given up on them playing in the finals. “I’m just happy to be up there playing and it’s good to get a couple of good wins,” he said. “I think we have to win five of the next six to make the finals, so it will be tough, but if we can keep playing like our last two performances there’s no reason why we can’t make it. “It’s probably a bit of a long shot at the moment but we just have to take it week by week and it will sort itself out if we are playing well. We will just take it as it comes. “We’re definitely not expecting to get there but we will just keep improving.” Mortimer will remain with the Eels for 2010 and he says the recruitment of some talented players has the club set for a big year. “We have a couple of really good signings with Justin Poore, Shane Shackleton and hopefully Timana Tahu, so they will be pretty exciting times I think,” he said. While there has been recent speculation about where Mortimer will be when his contract runs out at the end of next year, he says he will worry about that once this season is over. “I’m not sure, I’m keen to play out the rest of this year and then slowly get into negotiations,” he said. “I don’t want to rush anything because I think my next decision will be a bigger one, hopefully longer than a year which I just signed, so I’ll definitely look at all options but I’m pretty happy at the Eels. “It will take a lot to get me away from them.” |
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| ST. GREG'S TO GOOD FOR STANNIES St. Gregory's College travelled to Bathurst for their Arrive alive Cup game against St. Stanisluas College. St. Greg's have a good footy team which includes 2 newly inducted Australian Schoolboys Jack Stockwell & Matthew Groat. St. Greg's move on to the next stage of the Arrive alive Cup PBC SMASH WAVELL |
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| Thursday 29 th July 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Story & Photo By : Celtic Crusaders Celtic Crusaders’ Mark Wool will lead the Great Britain Community Lions Under-18s on their tour of Australia. The Lions jet off down under this Friday (31st July) and will play six games on a tour that is set to last three and half weeks. “It’s a great honour to be given the captaincy,” said Wool, who originates from Pontyclun. “It seems ages since we found out we were going to Australia and all the lads are now just looking forward to getting on the plane. “We’ve trained well over the last few weeks and although we realise the size of the task ahead we’ll go on tour in a confident mood.” After captaining the side in France last year Wool has already got experience in leading the side on foreign soil, a fact not lost on Lions coach Carl Briscoe. “Mark’s already proven he had the necessary leadership skills to do a great job as captain,” said Briscoe. “He’s a sensible lad who’s respected by the rest of the squad and I’m sure they’ll all respond to his instructions both on and off the field.” Fellow Crusaders Rhys Fenton from Cardiff, Anthony Symons from Abertillery and Alex Webber from Ferndale join Wool in the GB squad. |
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| Wednesday 29 th July 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KEEBRA PARK LOOKING TO BE #1 Story By : Keebra Parks SHS - dHart This week saw two of the Keebra Park Schoolboy sides progress into the next round of the Broncos competition. The under thirteens faced Coombabah and played some well structured disciplined football that didnt give Coombabah a chance with the score blowing out to 76-0. Although this game didnt really give the boys a chance to work on their defence around the ruck, it did show that they are capable of keeping their heads even when it would have been easy to play one out football. They stuck to their game plan and worked as a team which was great for the coaching staff to see as this will stand them in good stead for the coming years, where whole team discipline and not individual efforts will secure them victories. The fourteens also had a good 44-4 win over Wavell SHS and this will see them progress towards the final stages. The Opens and Under 15s will also be in action this week, with Mr Gould's 15's eagerly awaiting their encounter with Victoria Point and the Open A's ready to take on Cavendish Road in the South East Qld Arrive Alive Cup match. Both these games will be Pizzey Park and an update of the scores will be forthcoming. In sadder news Mr Hart's well coached Titans Cup side were beaten by the Keebra Under 16's who now progress to the final and an encounter with PBC. Well done boys and keep up the effort. LEARN MORE ABOUT KEEBRA PARK RUGBY LEAGUE |
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Story By : Diabetes Australia media release Fancy yourself in the shoes of an Origin Player? Well, now’s your chance. Bronco’s second rower, Sam Thaiday, is auctioning off the footy boots he wore in the third State of Origin game at Suncorp Stadium with all funds raised going to Diabetes Australia – Queensland. The hand crafted boots are in Torres Strait Islander colours, have the Torres Strait on the side and have ST 12 inscribed on the back. ST being his initials, and 12 is the number he was given when named last year in the Rugby League Indigenous Team of the Century. He’s the only member of the team still playing. Bronco’s team sponsor, Nike, granted Thaiday special permission to wear the boots for the game. Thaiday’s keen to not only raise money for more diabetes research, but to raise awareness about the disease among his people. “Both my mum and dad have type 2 diabetes, and it’s something I’m at risk of as well” Sam Thaiday said. Torres Strait Islanders have the highest prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Australia, with about one third of adults affected, according to Queensland’s Chief Health Officer’s report. “The figures are also grim for indigenous Australians, who are more than three times as likely to report some form of diabetes as other Australians. The condition’s even worse for indigenous Australian’s in remote areas.” Diabetes Australia – Queensland CEO, Michelle Trute said. The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health survey estimates 29,900 indigenous people have diabetes, (2004-05). This year Diabetes Australia - Queensland launched its “Are you at risk?” campaign to improve detection rates. “We know the time lag between people developing type 2 diabetes and detection can be years. With prevalence rates of diabetes so high in indigenous communities it’s up to individuals to take five minutes out to assess their own risk. An online assessment is available at www.areyouatrisk.com.au” Ms Trute said. Bidding for the boots start today (Tuesday 28th of July) with the final bid taken at 6pm, on the 12th of August. To bid log onto the Diabetes Australia – Queensland website and follow the links, or go direct to www.diabetesqld.org.au/auction |
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| BATHURST JUNIORS SHINE AGAINST PENRITH PANTHERS BATHURST’S contingent of players in the Western Rams development sides who took on representative Penrith Panthers squads on Wednesday have come away from their experience with some big rewards. Western under 13s, 14s, 15s and 16s all travelled to St Mary’s with 11 Bathurst youngsters involved across the four teams, while St Pat’s players Wade Judd (under 15s) and Mick Armstrong (under 13s) were in the action in a coaching capacity. The Rams did more than just compete with their promising opponents and took out three of the four matches. In the under 13s, Western put in a solid effort but were eventually found out against a strong Penrith side who took out the clash 44-10. However, from that point onwards Western were unstoppable. Coached by former CSU hooker Kyle Myers, the under 14s were too strong for Penrith and recorded an impressive 26-16 win. St Pat’s five-eighth Paul Maguire scored a double while Pat’s prop Dillon Toole bagged himself a try and club-mate Matthew Woolmington kicked a goal in a good display from the blue and white connection. Maguire completed proceedings by earning himself the man of the match award. In the under 15s the Rams clinched a thrilling 20-18 victory which included a try to St Pat’s prop Ben Whitley while Oberon’s Billy Kitt took man of the match honours. The under 16s went into their match expecting big things given that Group 10 only last month took out the CRL Cup, while Group 11 won the CRL Trophy. They did not disappoint and won a tough clash 12-10. Bathurst Panthers’ Doug Hewitt and Blake Seager scored their side’s two tries while fellow Panther Andrew Mendes slotted two decisive goals. Seager completed a stand-out effort and was acknowledged as best on ground. |
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| Tuesday 28 th July 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 THE teams have been decided for the finals of the Mackay District Secondary Schools Challenge following the semi finals at Abbott Park last week. In the Year Eight final, Proserpine High and Holy Spirit College will face off after defeating Mirani High and Mackay High respectively. Mackay High 2 and Mercy College will meet in the under 15 final after overcoming their semi-final opponents, Sarina and Mirani. In the Open division, Mackay High 2 and Sarina will fight for the title. Sarina defeated St Patrick’s College 2 and Mackay High prevailed over Mirani to earn their ticket to the final. The date of the finals is yet to be confirmed due to possible teacher strikes. REP VICTORY FOUR Mackay players helped Capricornia claim victory in the Vic Jensen under 11 Schoolboys’ carnival at Runaway Bay recently. Cameron Agius, Reuben Cotter, Jesse Milburn and Josh Curti joined players from centres including Rockhampton and Emerald to make up the Capricornia side. Reuben and Josh both played in the forwards, while Jesse was halfback and Cameron was on the wing. In the final, they prevailed over South Coast 12-0. It is believed to be just the second time Capricornia has won the carnival, with the metropolitan centres usually dominating. The Mackay quartet will join forces again this weekend when the under 11 Mackay representative team takes on Rockhampton in a carnival at Magpies. |
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Story & Photo By : NATALIE PEUT  The Western Lions team went through the carnival undefeated, thrashing West Mackay 16-0, Emerald 20-0, Sarina 16-8 in the lead-in to the finals. They then went on to beat Brothers Bulldogs from Mackay in the semi-final 16-8 and Townsville rivals Centrals Gold 12-4 in the final. Western Lions coach Graham Perks was excited at the result but admitted he had expected his team would do well. ''They are a very modest side and they all listen well and have a lot of heart,'' Perks said. ''They dig deep for each other and they all played together as a team.'' Perks said all the players had performed well throughout the weekend and named Jake Mara and Christopher Spina as standout performers. Perks said Mara was a mature player for his age. ''He shows a lot of vision in the game, well beyond his years and he's a great defender and team player he really shares the ball around ensuring everyone gets a run,'' Perks said. ''Spina was really good in defence and overall the team defended the line very well.'' The Townsville region proved a strong performer at the Shield with the Western Lions and Centrals taking first and second, followed by the Burdekin team which also plays in the Townsville competition. ''It just shows the strength of rugby league in Townsville,'' Perks said. Bowman paid a special visit to the carnival, spending the day watching the kids play and signing autographs. Perks said Bowman was a great ambassador for the kids. ''They were excited to see him and spend time with him,'' Perks said. |
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 St Patrick’s School, Trundle, defeated the Assumption School, Bathurst, 28-24 in the Russell Richardson Cup rugby league competition on July 8. A huge contingent of supporters from Trundle (population about 600), in the diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes, cheered the team on to their victory over Bathurst. The Year 3-4 team qualified for the regional finals at Apex Oval, Dubbo, after winning the district carnival at Condoblin earlier this year. The Trundle boys defeated last year’s winners, St Raphael’s, Cowra, then overcame teams from St Matthew’s, Mudgee, and St Ignatius’, Bourke, to make the semi-final. They earned a place in the grand final after proving too strong for South Dubbo Primary in extra time. “It is an amazing effort by these boys from our small school as they competed against schools with populations 10 times larger than theirs,” said Sharon Phipps, principal of St Patrick’s, which has just 38 students. “This victory was a sweet one for St Patrick’s as so many parents and friends have assisted and supported the team with training and travel arrangements.” The team comprised all seven boys from the Year 3-4 class at St Patrick’s and one student from Trundle Central School. The David Peachey Shield (Years 5 and 6) and Russell Richardson Cup (Years 3 and 4) are part of a seven-a-side rugby league competition open to all schools – Catholic, independent and government – west of the Blue Mountains. Trundle is 65km northwest of Parkes. The competition is named after Dubbo-born Peachey and Richardson, who went on to represent Australia in league. Last year almost 250 teams from across NSW participated in 10 gala day competitions around the state. Sharon Phipps said: “What a great achievement for our small community who put such an emphasis on participation, enjoyment and sportsmanship.” St Patrick’s has made it to the regional finals in previous years, but this is its first victory in the competition. Pam Burke, PE teacher at St Patrick’s, said: “The whole community is ecstatic; we’ve been receiving cards and faxes at the school, and it’s lifted the whole community.” Jaiden Burke, who is in Year 4 at St Patrick’s School, Trundle, was named player of the day. The Year 4 students from this year’s team will compete in the Years 5 and 6 competition next year. |
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ST JOHN'S, CATON PENALISED OVER JUNIOR LEAGUE WALK-OFF Dubbo and District Junior Rugby League has closed the file on its decision to censure Laurie Caton for making public his feelings on a game dispute involving Police and Citizens Youth Club and St John’s under-16s. Caton, the PCYC league president, questioned the actions of St John’s and in particularly its president John Walkom for allowing the young Saints to walk off after the kick-off of their game on July 11. He received a two-year suspended sentence. St John’s were fined $500. After early hearings between the Dubbo junior league executive and general committee, Caton and St John’s, it got down to a meeting in Dubbo on Friday night. Dubbo and District Junior Rugby League president Neil Millgate, said the Caton matter had been resolved with both parties ‘happy’ with the outcome. “A decision was made at the meeting and that’s where it ends. I am unable to make any comment other than to say that both parties (the junior league and Caton) are happy with the decision,” he said. “Any dealings involving junior league players and the judiciary are kept in house and not available for comment to the media or members of the public.” Caton however confirmed that he had been handed down a two-year suspended sentence providing he doesn’t breach the league’s code of conduct during that period. “They found me guilty at the meeting of bring the game into disrepute and gave me a two-year suspended sentence,” Caton said. “There are still some grey areas that I’m personally not happy with, but I’m pleased that it’s been resolved and that we can now get on with providing a game of footy for the kids.” Millgate said Friday night’s meeting also involved officials from St John’s. On Saturday St John’s juniors president John Walkom confirmed that they had been slapped with a $500 fine for their actions to walk from the field. “As far as I am concerned that is the end of the matter. We were fined $500,” he said. The incident came about when two players from St John’s under-16s wanted a transfer to PCYC. St John’s denied those transfer requests because it would leave them short handed for the rest of the season. Dubbo junior league agreed but the matter finished up in the hands of the Country Rugby League which overturned the earlier decision and the players were permitted to join PCYC. When PCYC met St John’s on July 11 St John’s kicked off and then walked from the field in protest against the transfer decision. This led to Caton voicing his disapproval by St John’s to Daily Liberal. Millgate said that the junior league would be making plans to tighten the transfer of players in the feature. “We certainly don’t want a repeat of what happened this month and will be looking at putting into place rules that will restrict players from moving from one club to the other after they have been registered,” he said. |
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| Monday 27 th July 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This Saturday 1st August, will see, for the first time, the Grand Final of the ARL Development Shield Competition being played in Cairns. The game will be played between Cairns Kangaroos and Pine Rivers Under 15’s teams as curtain raiser to the Skill360 Northern Pride vs Norths Devils game at Barlow Park. Kick off is at 5.15pm. The state wide ARL Development Shield competition this year has seen the Kangaroos team travel to Townsville and the Gold Coast to play the quarter and semi final games so it is great for the Far North to have the grand final played in Cairns. Kangaroos Junior Rugby League Club president Kelvin Lesina said: “The Kangaroos Juniors are delighted to have the grand final played in Cairns, giving players’ families and supporters the opportunity to see the team in action. We are also appreciative of the assistance from the Northern Pride to have the game played as a curtain raiser to the Queensland Cup game. It is a great opportunity to showcase Far North talent. The Barlow Park venue is ideal and with the huge interest in the team’s progress throughout the competition we expect a great home crowd atmosphere to cheer the local team on” Lesina also added, “ This team has achieved a number of successes over the last few years, including winning the Lauire Spina Shield as Under 11’s and taking out the Tassell Trophy Challenge in 2008. The team has worked hard and are looking forward to the challenge of playing the Pine Rivers team at Barlow Park.” |
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| GAME DAY!
SATURDAY 1st August @ BARLOW PARK 5.15PM – ARL DEVELOPMENT SHIELD U15’S STATE FINAL KANGAROOS VS PINE RIVERS (Brisbane) 7.00PM – QUEENSLAND CUP SKILL360 NORTHERN PRIDE VS NORTHS DEVILS Gates open @ 4.30pm TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM: Pride Leagues ClubNorthern Pride office PH 40313511 or at the gate. |
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| Saturday 25 th JUly 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Story By : JAMIE FAKES Photo By :  Nick Ehsman finished his time in the Australian Secondary Schoolboys rugby league competition on a high on Friday. The 17 year old was selected as part of the NSW Combined High Schools (CHS) side that showed early signs of being a threat for the title. The team fell to the Combined Catholic Colleges side 18-12 on Thursday but backed up on Friday to thrash the NSW Combined Independent Schools team 70-6 in an exhibition match prior to the grand final they had missed out on. Ehsman contributed to the impressive score with a try of his own. He said that he was happy with how he went throughout despite not making the final. “We played probably our best match in the semi finals but there were a few out with injuries. The opposition got an intercept with about 10 minutes to go so that was the decider,” he said. “The second match was good fun and we really flogged them. We should have been in the final but it felt good to do so well in that one. The whole experience was good; I made more mates and learnt more skills for future matches.” The event also decided those players who would compete in the 2009 Australian Schoolboys team in two tests against Great Britain but Ehsman missed the cut for the side. Jamie Fakes |
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| ARRIVE ALIVE CUP UPDATE ERINDALE COLLEGE V HOLY CROSS, RYDE Story BY : Holy Cross College Ryde continue their 2009 Arrive alive Cup Champaign aLIVE with a hard fought 26 - 10 victory in trying conditions in Gosford this afternoon. Holy Cross advance to meet the might of St. Dominic's College Blacktown in their next round of this years exciting Arrive alive Cup. |
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| Friday 24 th July 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
TALENTED JUNIORS SHOW TALENTS Forbes juniors were amongst the cream of Western junior rugby league talent from across the region that got their chance to show talents against representative sides from the Penrith Panthers at Kingsway St Mary’s yesterday afternoon. Western Development squads were selected in under 13s, 14s, 15s and 16s with the sides to reward players for strong showings in the Country Rugby League junior championships. The squads were also enable to build combinations with their Western counterparts before they eventually join forces for the CRL Regional Championships in under 18s. It’s hoped the fixture will be an annual event with planning underway for a return clash west of the Blue Mountains in 2010. “It’s a great opportunity for all involved to compete against the junior Panthers, who boast arguably the strongest nursery in the thirteen man code,” said Country Rugby League Western Development Manager Stephen McLellan. Forbes representatives in Western Development under 13s were Bryce Park - Red Bend Forbes, Nicholas Greenhalgh - Forbes Magpies, Jordan Hartwig - Red Bend, Troy Armitage - Red Bend Forbes, Ben Schofield - Forbes Magpies. In Western Development under 14s were Jarred Tyack - Red Bend Forbes, David Cowhan - Red Bend. Western Development under 15s members, Tori Freeman - Red Bend Forbes, Jake O’Brien - Red Bend Forbes No Forbes players made the Western Development under 16s. |
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| BULLDOGS WIN HUNTER CHALLENGE
Story BY : The Bulldogs gave their supporters a view to what they can expect in next year’s SG Ball competition by winning the Hunter Challenge today for under 17 development squads. They did it in style too going through undefeated at St John Oval Charlestown. The day was hosted by Hunter Development Academy and the Knights. What a great day of football it was! THE FOLLOWING CLUBS TOOK PART: The Dogs defeated the Wests Tigers 18 - 0, Knights 24 - 0, Penrith 18 - 6, Manly 10 - 6 and Parramatta 12 - 10. Games were played over 25 minutes. The Dogs looked gone in the last game against Parramatta down 10 - 0 with ten minutes to go. The Eels then made some startling replacements by taking off two of their best performers. The Dogs saw this as a great opportunity to hit back with two tries to win the game. Best for the Dogs on the day were Harold Matthews heroes half Samisoni Langi, second rower David Minute and prop David Klemmer. These boys will clearly be in the picture come the national under 18 competition next year. Best for the Eels on the day were half Jason Seage, lock Luke Fishburn and winger Maroon Estaphan. Parramatta won against Central Coast 22 - 0, Wests Tigers 10 - 6 and the Knights 16 - 0 but went down to Penrith 4 - 18 and the Dogs 10 - 12. Penrith fielded two teams akin to an A and B teams. The A team was very strong and they won the battle of the west over Parramatta 18 - 4 but the Dogs shocked them by beating them 18-6. The Panthers best on the day were props John Teafu and Solo Alone (he must be the loneliest person in the world with that name), centre John Pepa and winger Michael Cromption. OTHER RESULTS WERE : WESTS TIGERS def MANLY 22-0 CENTRAL COAST def KNIGHTS 6-0 MANLY def CENTRAL COAST 12-10 KNIGHTS def WESTS TIGERS 12-4 WESTS TIGERS def CENTRAL COAST 22-12 |
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| Thursday 23 rd July 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| JONES AND CHERRINGTON ROOSTERS TIL 2012 Roosters’ youngsters Ben Jones and Anthony Cherrington have both extended their deals at the Club until at least the end of 2012. Ben Jones, who came through the Club’s scholarship program and has been playing in the Toyota Cup competition since 2008 made his first grade debut in Round 25 last year. In 2009 he has become a regular first grader and is currently playing five-eighth in the absence of Braith Anasta. Cherrington has been playing first grade since mid-2008 and is one of the Club’s local juniors, having played from the age of 12 with the Paddington Tigers. Both players now join fellow young gun Mitchell Pearce on long term deals as the Club looks to secure its young talent and build for the future. In last Sunday’s game against the NZ Warriors the average age of the team was 21 with the Club looking to develop the young players currently coming through the system. Recruitment Manager Peter O’Sullivan is excited by the signings which follow a part of the Club’s new strategic plan. “Ben and Anthony are both great young players and part of the Club’s strategy moving forward is to develop our own youth as much as possible,” said O’Sullivan. “Both these players have been a part of the Roosters from a young age and it is great that we can make them part of our long term plan.” |
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BRITISH PAKISTAN 0 GB COMMUNITY LIONS U18'S 46 - GRATTAN STADIUM The Community Lions under 18s warmed up for their forthcoming six-match tour to Australia with an eight try win over the recently-formed British Pakistan select side, in front of an appreciative crowd at the Grattan Stadium, in a curtain raiser to the Bradford v Wigan Super League clash. In a competitive contest from the off, the inexperienced Select side showed a great propensity to keep the ball alive, with skipper Junaid Malik to the fore, but lacked a finish, unsurprising perhaps after only three training sessions together. The Community Lions, comprising of some of the best young talent that is interesting several professional outfits, had a greater understanding - Scott George their midfield architect and schemer - and their higher fitness levels told in the second half. They were magnificently served by Celtic Crusaders' two try prop Anthony Symons who looks a real talent along with Hull K.R.'s Nick Johnson and Leigh-bound Jonathan Pownall. Former Blackpool prop Carl Briscoe, manager of the Lions, got everything he wanted from the contest, not least a nilling of the opposition. "The score was immaterial" he said. "it was a good, organised performance that we can take confidence from."
"We know we've a lot of defending to do over there so this was great preparation for us because they came at us well for the full eighty minutes - all credit to them." Symons' early charge gave notice of his intent, Tom Connick having a try disallowed in the 6th minute because of a knock on. Rehan Mansoor made his presence felt in the tackle, and only an interception by hard-working Andy Ali prevented a raid down the left from Alex Webber and the dangerous George. Connick opened the scoring with a fine dummy and dart to the posts in the 12th minute and, despite the best efforts of Salford's Imad Nasir, Anthony Nicholson sent in Jacob Fairbank, nephew of former Bradford great Karl. George kicked a 40/20 and made the most of the position gained when he sliced through on the fringe at the quarter way mark but for the remainder of the half, British Pakistan dominated. Junaid Malik, Craig Butt, Omar Mendi and Awais Yousaf tried gamely to engineer an opening but the Lions' defence held firm. On the counter, they decisively showed how to take a chance, Symons was twice involved as was Martin Gray, Adam Clay going over in the corner and George landing a touchline conversion. Symons scored twice in ten minutes at the start of the second half, the first courtesy of a fine inside pass from inventive Callum Windley - son of ex-Hull player Phil - the second a show of raw power from the young Welshman. Windley's fine cut out pass allowed Kris Wilkes from Rhyl to speed over and, with the British Pakistanis finding it hard to get out of their own quarter, Sam Hopkins crashed over from close in. Again the Select combination showed great endeavour without a finish, twice towards the end Amjad Hussain breaking clear but being called back, for a double knock on and then his chip through was covered by Pownall. Manager of the British Pakistan side, Ikram Butt, was delighted with the occasion and the commitment of his men. "It was a first run out and I couldn't ask any more from the players" he commented. "They did well and can hold their heads up high. They continued playing right to the end and we can improve from here." |
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| KEEBRA THROUGH TO SOUTH EAST QLD SEMI. Keebra Park progressed through to the South East Qld semi final of the Arrive Alive Cup after disposing of a gallant Coombabah side 30-12. Coombabah defended valiantly and forced a number of errors from the Keebra side who looked great when they put their foot down but with plenty of room for improvement. Keebra proved too big and too strong for Coombabah and put on two tries in the first half and a trio in the second half to secure a spot in next weeks semis. Ben Murdoch was devastating from the set piece and some glimpses of powerful football were evident when Keebra focussed on the task. Good luck boys in the next round. |
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CLUBS GIVE RED CARD TO OFFSIDE ADULTS DURING the half-time break at Parramatta junior rugby league games a loudspeaker plays a recording of the local hero Nathan Hindmarsh reminding spectators to keep their cool. It is one example of the measures sports clubs are taking to deal with sports rage from parents. The bashing of Gary Harling after his son's under-12s game, which occurred at the weekend, has shown how serious sport rage has become and the radical measures being considered to deal with it. As Mr Harling recovers in hospital, Central Coast Junior Rugby League said it would consider a ban on all parents attending from the first round of next year. The general manager of the NSW Rugby League, Geoff Carr, said it would support the club's decision, but preferred clubs to adopt a "zero tolerance" approach targeting aggressive parents only. "It's another example of a junior league showing that they take this very seriously and they want to get a message out to people to behave responsibly," he said. However, sport rage is a problem for all contact sports including league, soccer, AFL and rugby union, which officials are trying to reduce. Rugby union referees can give "red cards" to spectators, and Football NSW has made sure every club has a designated official to deal with poor behaviour. In the South Sydney Juniors league competition referees can call off the game for poor spectator behaviour or ban the children of aggressive parents. The club's president, Keith McCraw, said singling out troublemakers in this way had reduced the number of incidents, as it often caused embarrassment. Officials say verbal abuse is the most common problem, but other incidents have included alcohol-fuelled aggression, and violence towards young referees. In the Parramatta competition two junior rugby league teams were last year banned from the season after a fight broke out between rival parents at Guildford. The executive officer for the junior league in the district, Terry Rose, said security guards were needed to enforce the ban, but such an approach was not practical for the 180 games played in the district each weekend. "It's hard for us to police it. It's not like the NRL where you've got gates to stop them coming in," Mr Rose said. The junior league manager at Penrith, Don Feltis, said sports rage was most common in contact sports such as league, union and soccer because they "get the adrenalin flowing". But he said banning parents would achieve little. "By banning parents from a game, what do you say to all the decent, well-behaved people that love rugby league and want to watch their kids play football?" |
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BRAVE BUNDY BOYS BATTLE FOR THE BAY BEFORE the Vic Jensen under-11 primary schools carnival, the Wide Bay team were branded the easybeats and were pencilled in as cannon fodder to all the southern sides. The team left the carnival at Runaway Bay with the respect of their highly-fancied rugby league rivals and a showing that they could be proud of. The Wide Bay boys came second in their pool games and would have come first if it was not for their inferior for and against, meaning Sunshine Coast snuck in by smallest of margins. They drew with Capricornia 12-all in a match that decided the right to play for the Vic Jensen Cup, but had to settle for third overall, because Capricornia had topped their pool games and they automatically proceeded to the final. Capricornia eventually won the carnival. Matthew Stockwell from Avoca State School, Jacob Dallas of Kalkie State School, Jacob O' Shea from St Patrick's and Joshua Zweedyk from Kolan South State School all performed well, according to coach Mark Craswell, who is deputy principal at Walkervale State School. |
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| Wednesday 22 July 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Story BY : DANIEL BRIGGS Photo By : CANOWINDRA’S Haydon Hodge will tread a path forged by some of rugby league’s most famous names after being named in the prestigious Australian Schoolboys side last week. The 17-year-old starred at fullback for ACT in last week’s Australian Secondary Schools Open Championships at Newcastle, culminating with a stunning five-try haul in his side’s final match against Combined Affiliated States. Hodge, whose rapid rise to prominence has seen him progress from the Canberra Raiders’ SG Ball side to the Toyota Cup this year, was rapt to be selected on the wing for the green and golds. He says it will be a “special” moment to represent his country in two Test matches against the Great Britain Community Lions next month. “I can’t wait. It will be pretty special to pull on that jersey,” said Hodge, who moved from Canowindra to Canberra this year to further his rugby league education at the renowned league nursery Erindale College. “It was a bit of a surprise to get selected because my first three games I didn’t think I’d played that well. I didn’t play badly, just not well enough to get picked in a team like this. “To finish off with five tries in the one game, that obviously helped me out a fair bit.” The Year 12 student will follow in the footsteps of players such as Brad Fittler, Ben Elias, Israel Folau, Greg Inglis, Jamal Idris and Michael Jennings after playing all of his junior league for the Canowindra Tigers, before linking with Cowra to play under 18s last season. Hodge continues a proud recent Central West tradition in the Australian Schoolboys, with Parramatta five-eighth Daniel Mortimer from Orange excelling in the NRL in recent weeks after representing the green and golds in 2007. It’s a path Hodge, a 2008 Country under 18s representative, says he would love to follow. “Definitely. That’s the goal and something like this is good for that,” said Hodge, the only ACT player to make the team. “I’m signed with the Raiders until the end of next year. At the moment we’re going pretty well in the 20s, so hopefully (we can defend last year’s premiership).” Gold Coast Titans youngster Jordan Rankin, who made his NRL debut last year at the age of 16, will lead the Aussies into battle against Great Britain on Saturday, August 15 at Canberra Stadium and Friday, August 21 at St Mary’s Leagues Stadium. 2009 AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLBOYS: 1 Maipele Morseu (St Brendan’s College, Yeppoon), 2 Haydon Hodge (Erindale College), 3 Aaron Whitchurch (Wavell State High School), 4 Cheyse Blair (Tweed River High School), 5 Faleula Fimau (Matraville Sports High School), 6 Jordan Rankin (Palm Beach Currumbin SHS), 7 Jacob Miller (Matraville Sports High School), 8 Jake Finn (Hunter Sports High School), 9 Cameron King (Endeavour Sports High School), 10 Matthew Groat (St Gregory’s College, Campbelltown), 11 Ryan James (Palm Beach Currumbin SHS), 12 Jack Stockwell (St Gregory’s College, Campbelltown), 13 Joseph Leilua (Endeavour Sports High School). Interchange: 14 PJ Asiata (Patrician Brothers College, Blacktown), 15 Daniel Ahsin (Endeavour Sports High School), 16 Jason Taumalolo (Kirwan State High School), 17 Michael Morgan (Ignatius Park College). |
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 THE Edmonton Storm has capped off a rare double by winning the annual under-11 Laurie Spina Shield less than a year after the same team won the Gorden Tallis Cup. The Cairns and District Junior Rugby League team overcame Townsville’s United Redbacks 20-12 in the final, played at Dairy Farmers Stadium before a Cowboys under-20 match. They reached the final undefeated in eight games, taking out arch rivals Mossman Sharks in the semi-final and Townsville’s Centrals Scorpions in the quarter-final. Coach Tony Downs was thrilled with the achievement, believed to be the first time a junior team has won both carnivals. "They’re just a good little team that has fun playing footy, that’s what it’s all about," he said. "They’re good kids. "The carnival was sensational – so many teams, the refs were great and the people at the canteens, the gates – it was so well done." The carnival is named after legendary Ingham product Laurie Spina, who came out of retirement to captain the inaugural Cowboys team in 1995. A record 56 teams contested this year’s Shield over 192 games with 850 kids getting to play. They also got to form a guard of honour for the Cowboys and compete in the fastest feet relay at halftime. Spina said the massive growth in the competition highlighted the strength of junior rugby league in North Queensland and said there were some talented up-and-comers on display. "It (Edmonton) is a good little side and there’s some good footballers there," he said. "They won the Gorden Tallis and stepped up and won it this year, they’re a very good side. Thirteen years ago, I think we had 18 (teams) or so and it’s grown to 56 with the families and the kids travelling from miles away, some of them were on the bus for 12 hours. "They really enjoyed it. "We go around to all the kids and talk to them and the feedback is that they’re really enjoying it. Certainly, I think there were a few little Matty Bowens and players of the future out there." |
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| Monday 20 th July 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
JUNIOR sporting clubs across the district take one thing for granted competition but spare a thought for the budding players of Norfolk Island Junior Rugby League Football Club. The players have four grades with four teams in the youngest grade under-7s and then only two teams in all other grades, with the result that teams play each other every single week. So it was a welcome relief for the boys when they took to the field to face Brighton Seagulls at Scarborough Park on Sunday. Brighton club president Neil Pugsley said the clubs established a link three years ago. "They asked if we were interested in hosting a side,'' he said. "We billeted them out two years ago and we put a couple of games on.'' The Seagulls sent a compilation squad of players aged 13 to 15 to Norfolk Island last year. "The whole island turned out for the game,'' Pugsley said. "They hadn't seen a touring side in 20 to 25 years. One of their blokes said to me that they don't play usually hard because they always play against their mates.'' Pugsley said the touring side's development was evident. They now also receive support from the NSW Rugby League which travels to the island once a year and runs coaching clinics. The NSWRL put the touring squad through drills on Tuesday. "Life-long friendships are formed between the boys,'' Pugsley said. "They keep in touch via the internet. "We think it's going to continue as an annual event.'' In the match, Norfolk Island defeated Brighton 38-10. The tourists returned home after their week's stay yesterday. |
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| Sunday 19 th July 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND QUARTER FINALS Wednesday night will see the start of the South East Queensland Arrive Alive Cup Quarter Finals with Keebra Park taking on newcomers Coombabah at Southport Tigers on Wednesday night July 22nd (4 - 30). Coombabah qualified for the knockout stages after finishing third behind the Keebra Park and PBC (B sides) in the Struddies competition. Keebra would like to see all the Old Boys and any interested parents or lovers of schoolboy rug by league down at Tigers to support them as they enter the knockout stages of the competition. In other news the under thirteens will also face Coombabah in the first knockout round and are confident after disposing them 82-0 last time they met. The Under Fourteens are also looking good as they regain some injured players and have been training well. The fifteens will play Victoria Point, a rematch they are looking forward to and there is also action in the Titans Cup this week with Mr Harts (300 Spartans) taking on the might of Woodridge at Nerang Roosters at 6pm and Mr Woolfes Under 16's facing of with Beaudesert at 5pm. These games are on Monday 20th. So all in all things are hotting up in South East Queensland as the finals approach. |
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| Saturday 18 th July 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
After a fantastic week of excellent schoolboys rugby league the ASSRL announced the 2009 Australian Schoolboys team to take on the Great Britain Community Lions. The First test will be held on Saturday 15 August at Canberra Stadium commencing at 5.15 pm. This game will be a curtain raiser to the Canberra Raiders St George Dragons game. The Second Test will be held at the St Marys Leagues Stadium on Friday 21 August commencing at 7.00 pm.. LEARN MORE |
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Story By : JOSH LEESON  Photo by : VALENTINE-Eleebana junior Jake Finn yesterday joined the Devils' green and gold production line when he was named in the Australian Schoolboys squad. The 17-year-old prop is the latest budding NRL star to originate from Valentine, which has produced internationals such as Paul Harragon, Adam Muir and Brett Kimmorley. Only this week, three Devils juniors Kimmorley, Josh Perry and Michael Ennis were part of NSW's State of Origin team for game three. Finn has enjoyed a roller-coaster six months, playing under 20s for Newcastle, under-18 State of Origin for NSW and this month he was named the Knights' Carlson Club-Andrew Johns medallist for the best 17-year-old player. But for Finn, Australian Schoolboys is the icing on the cake. "I was playing good footy, but you can't expect that to happen to you, so I'm pretty ecstatic," Finn said. "There's nothing better than getting a green and gold jersey." Finn is expected to be one of the starting props in the Australian Schoolboys side when they meet Great Britain in Canberra on August 15 and then on August 21 in Sydney. Finn, who played in the NSW Combined High Schools team this week at the Australian Schoolboys championships in Newcastle, was the only Hunter player named in the 17-man squad. Selectors were impressed with his no-nonsense style. "They [the selectors] just said I was tough and a typical front-rower with good go-forward," Finn said. The year 12 Hunter Sports High student is in negotiation with the Knights about renewing his contract, but Finn also has plans beyond football. "I'm hoping to go to uni," he said. "You always need a back-up plan, a plan B, you're only one injury away I suppose. So I'm wanting to go to uni to study primary school teaching." It is unlikely Finn will be teaching any time soon because earning an Australian Schoolboy jersey is practically a passport to an NRL career. Internationals such as Danny Buderus, Matt Gidley, Greg Alexander, Steve Menzies and Greg Inglis have worn the schoolboy green and gold, and the 2008 squad included Bulldogs first-grade centre Jamal Idris. The Australian Schoolboys squad was announced after the final between NSW Combined Catholic Colleges and Queensland yesterday at EnergyAustralia Stadium. The young Maroons were at their best, winning 40-12. |
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Congratulation to Cameron KIng, Joseph Leilua and Daniel Ahsin on their selection in the 2009 Australian Secondary schoolboys rugby league team to play the Great Britian Community Lions. The First test will be held on Saturday 15 August at Canberra Stadium commencing at 5.15 pm. This game will be a curtain raiser to the Canberra Raiders St George Dragons game. The Second Test will be held at the St Marys Leagues Stadium on Friday 21 August commencing at 7.00 pm. |
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| Friday 17 th July 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
TORN ankle ligaments are not going to stop Justin Smith from fulfilling his dream of leading the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges to an Australian Schoolboys rugby league championship today. The year 12 St Francis Xavier College, Hamilton, student will captain the NSW CCC side in the final at 1.45pm against Queensland at EnergyAustralia Stadium. But Smith will need to play through the pain. Smith tore ligaments in his ankle in Monday's 26-22 pool-match loss to Queensland, but a pain-killing injection enabled the 18-year-old to play a full game in NSW CCC's 18-12 semi-final victory over NSW Combined High Schools on Wednesday. What was even more impressive was that Smith was asked to shift from fullback to halfback in the second half after regular No.7 Josh Murray was struck down with a groin injury. Smith is likely to play halfback again in the final but had no second thoughts about playing on his injured ankle. "It's been a great experience to lead them out, a real privilege," Smith said. "They [needles] make it so you still feel it and so you do favour it. You try not to do any further damage, but I'm in a fair bit of pain. "But you play through it because it's an Australian championship final, you only get one opportunity." Smith, from Aberdeen, moved in with his grandparents at Redhead in 2007 to take up a S G Ball contract with the Knights, after playing Harold Matthews in 2006. He played S G Ball again this season and hopes to be offered a contract with Newcastle's under-20 squad for 2010. "I'm off contract again this year and I'm talking again with the Knights and just weighing up options for next year," he said. "It definitely helps being the [NSW CCC] captain, so hopefully we can win it this year." Smith is joined in the NSW CCC squad by fellow Aberdeen boy and St George Illawarra under-20 second-rower Alex McKinnon. Dale Clacherty, 17, from All Saints College, St Mary's Campus, Maitland, is under an injury cloud for the final after suffering a corked knee in the loss to Queensland. |
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SARINA State High School have a chance to advance to the NQ quarter-finals of the Arrive Alive Cup when they take on Gordonvale at Townsville today. If they win today’s final of the NQ second tier competition, Sarina will join St Patrick’s College and Mackay State High School in next Wednesday’s Arrive Alive Cup finals series, and coach Toby Poole is confident they have every chance of advancing. “We have not lost a game since round 1 of the local schoolboys competition,” Poole said. “We’ve beaten both Mackay High and St Patrick’s, quite comfortably.” He said the school had a good group of players with plenty of talent. “Most of the team are year 11 and there are four year 10s,” he said. “We’ve got plenty of development to come.” Hooker Matt Sweeney, lock Ben Buchholz, centre Michael Atherton and second rower Ezander Mallie have been among standouts this season. “The amount of representative players we have here is incredible,” Poole said. “Ben is an open Capricornia rep and we have another four who were in the Cutters’ under 18 and under 16 squads this year.” Poole said the Sarina Crocodiles club had helped the school financially to subsidise travel costs and the provision of laptops to analyse matches. Today’s match kicks off at 2pm. If Sarina gets through, they will face the No. 1 team from the Cowboys Super 8s series, St Brendan’s College, Yeppoon. In other NQ quarter-finals next Wednesday, Mackay High play Abergowrie College and St Patrick’s College are up against Ignatius Park at venues to be announced. The North Queensland semi-finals will follow on July 29, followed by the NQ final on August 5. The Queensland final will be played in Townsville on August 28 or 29. |
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| ASSRL DAY 5 FULL RESULTS
GAME 1: GAME 2: PLAYERS OF THE MATCH WA 13 – Tiri Tuatai ( Wanneroo Senior High School)SA 19 – Ray Mtasa (Glenunga International High School) NSWCIS 15 – Ernie Ciaschetti (Newington College) CAS 1 – Robbie Kurth (South Oakleigh College)
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| Thursday 16 th July 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SHARKS V RABBITOHS DEV GAMES What a fantastic day for footy at Shark Park today. Thanks to the Cronulla Sharks & the South Sydney Juniors for arranging these four great games today & thanks to the Cronulla Sharks for inviting ourfootyteam to cover these great development games Lets not forget the players in the eight teams who put on an entertaining day for us all. Well done boys.
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| Wednesday 15 th July 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wednesday 15 July – Semi Final Day (The Gardens) Semi Final 1: QUEENSLAND 60 def ACT 10 Semi Final 2: NSWCCC 18 def NSWCHS 12 NORTHERN TERRITORY 44 def VICTORIA 16 WEST AUSTRALIA 44 def SOUTH AUSTRALIA 6PLAYERS OF THE MATCH NT 13 – Dylan Cartwright (Darwin High School) |
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| Tuesday 14 th July 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
QUEENSLAND 14 def NSWCHS 12 ACT 28 DREW CAS 28 FULL RESULTS GAME 1: GAME 2: PLAYERS OF THE MATCH QLD 9 – Jay Lobwein (Ignatius Park College, Townsville) What can we say about this Queensland u18's schoolboys side, it's becoming a bit of a routine winning in the last few seconds for these boys, because they 'did it again' yesterday. NSWCHS had fought back from a 2 try deficiet to lead the Queenslanders with 7 seconds to go on the clock. Then batta bing, on the very last play of the day, the boys in Maroon kept the ball alive as if it real was a hot potato, the footy went thru almost every set of hand of the team, then all of a sudden, they smashed over in the corner. The Queendslanders were in a again, fantastic junior footy at its best. It's not only the cream of our Nations footy players showing off their skills in this tourniment, all the referee's are the best ref's from all the state. This has been evedient by the refereeing, which has mostly been outstanding, congratulations to all the ref's.
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| ST JOHN'S PLAYERS WALK OFF FIELD The Dubbo and District Junior Rugby League (DDJRL) competition hit a low point on Saturday when an under-16s match at Apex Oval was terminated after one side walked from the field. Immediately after the kick off in the game between St John’s and PCYC the St John’s players left the ground. It is believed this was a pre-meditated decision by the club in protest to a decision made by Country Rugby League (CRL) in relation to the release of two players from St John’s to PCYC. After unsuccessfully gaining approval for the transfers from the DDJRL, the PCYC club took the matter to the CRL which overruled and reversed the decision. PCYC Rugby League Club president Laurie Caton has questioned the motives behind the walk-off and expressed his disappointment over the matter, describing it as an “embarrassing scene for junior rugby league” in a letter to the Daily Liberal. The letter can be read here. St John’s president John Walkom defended the players’ walk off, which he said was a decision ultimately made by the players. Walkom said he could not disclose details of the matter because it remained unresolved but hoped a solution could soon be met. “It was the players’ decision to walk off the field in protest to a decision that was made by Country Rugby League overriding the executives of the Dubbo and District Junior Rugby League (DDJRL),” Walkom said. “I cannot go into details of the matter but on Saturday we only had eight under-16 registered players available to play.” Caton sent a letter to the Daily Liberal and said he went public about the matter despite the risk of being threatened with expulsion from his position. In the letter, Caton said St John’s kicked off and then the players reluctantly walked off in “the most embarrassing scene ever witnessed in junior rugby league”. “I and all others watched in dismay as the St John’s team put their heads down and walked from the field of play,” the letter said. “To ask a team of young men to kick off then walk off the field immediately, despite these young men wanting to play the game, is a bitter pill to swallow. “I saw the captain of St John’s shattered to consider this, and at one point heard him say through tears ‘for Christ’s sake it’s only a game’. DDJRL president Neil Millgate said yesterday that he was aware of the incident and was investigating the matter but had not received any reports from either club involved. |
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| DAY 2 Man of the Match Awards | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Monday 13 th July 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Today's feature was again plenty of great footy from the cream of our Nations best young rugby league players. Today's was action packed with speed, strength and some fantastic sportsmanship shown by most players. NORTHERN TERRITORY 36 def SOUTH AUSTRALIA 10 FULL RESULTS GAME 1: NORTHERN TERRITORY 36 (Tries: Gavin Brown 2, Wayne Raymond, Jake Watts, Ned Marcroft, Ben Tonkin Goals: Brad Hansen 6) defeated SOUTH AUSTRALIA 10 (Tries: Ashley Tapara, Junior Fono Goals: Ray Mtasa) GAME 2: QUEENSLAND 26 (Tries: Maipele Morseu 2, Jason Taumalolo, Sam Saville, Aaron Whitchurch Goals: Jordan Rankine 3) defeated NSWCCC 22 (Tries: Reece Jaeger 2, Alex McKinnon, Blake Austin Goals: Blake Austin 3 GAME 3: NSWCIS 18 (Tries: Bevan De Vries 2, Tim Davis Goals: Sam Prendergast 3) defeated COMBINED AFFILIATED STATES (CAS)16 (Tries: Mitchell Russell, Young Tonumaipea, RobbieKurth Goals: John Aldridge 2) GAME 4: VICTORIA 26 (Tries: Luke Waiti, Duane Butler, Adam Millgate, Taunoa Mataora, Tyme Dow-Nikau Goals: Adam Millgate 3) defeated WESTERN AUSTRALIA 14 (Tries: Jake Busby, Lachlan Campbell, Eddie Proudler Goals: Brandon Parker) PLAYERS OF THE MATCH NT 3 – Brett Boucher (Charles Darwin University) |
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 Maitland High had one eye on a Hunter Region grand final at 1 7-16 with five minutes to go before two late tries to Callaghan College denied them victory. A Kye Percival field goal broke the deadlock and seemingly gave Maitland High victory before an intercept try and a try after the bell shattered their chances of progressing. Maitland was in control at half-time leading 16-6 before two Callaghan tries brought the teams level. Maitland High coach John Lawson said he was pleased with his side’s effort despite running out of steam in the later stages. “The boys should be proud of how far they’ve come,” Lawson said. “We’ve never had the same team twice. We were a bit unlucky at the time a couple of things here and there and the score line could have been completely different.” Lawson also praised his boys for competing with a school that has over 600 students to pick from. “Their college pulls Jesmond, Waratah and Wallsend together and they’ve got three times as many students to choose from,” Lawson said. The match was a physical encounter with prop Will Frost, who plays with the Maitland Pickers under-19s, putting an earth shattering hit on an opposing front rower to start the second half. Five-eighth Jeremy Mann was impressive calling the shots for Maitland High and centre Luke Lawrence used his speed to bag a double. |
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| Sunday 12 th July 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ACT 40 def NSWCIS 0 VICTORIA 56 def SOUTH AUSTRALIA 24 NORTHERN TERRITORY 22 def WEST AUSTRALIA 4 NSWCHS 28 def NSWCCC 8 Full results - Game 1: ACT 40 (Tries: Mahe Fonua 2, Nathan Smith, Haydon Hodge, Justin Toomey-White, Cameron Breust, Mitchell Day Goals: Cameron Breust 6) defeated NSWCIS 0 Game 2: Victoria 56 (Tries: Eddie Faamausili, Adam Millgate, Duane Butler, Jordan Schmidt, Tum Silapa 3, James Palmer , Herschel Gideon, Jarrah Maksymow Goals: Adam Millgate 8) defeated South Australia 24 (Tries: Junior Fono 2, Mason Hotstone, Ashley Tupara Goals: Ben Smith 3, Steve Brown ) Northern Territory (Tries: Brett Boucher 2, Gavin Brown, Jason Gebert Goals: Brad Hansen 3) defeated Western Australia 4 (Tries: Josh Pedersen) Game 4: NSWCHS 28 (Tries: Faleula Finau, Olomanu Usini, Cheyse Blair, Gerard McCallum, Rodney Moefaauo Goals: Cameron King 3, Jacob Miller) defeated NSWCCC 8 (Tries: Justin Smith, PJ Asiata ) Players of the Match- NSWCIS 8 – Zac Pitt ( Shellharbour Anglican College) Victoria 7 – Adam Millgate ( Parkdale Secondary College) South Australia 15 – Devon Woodbourne (Aberfoyle Park High School) Western Australia 10 – Pete Karalis (Central TAFE) NSWCHS 4 - Cheyse Blair (Tweed River High School) NSWCCC 1 – Justin Smith (St Frances Xavier College Hamilton) |
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| Saturday 11 th July 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
With Queensland winning the 15’s secondary schoolboys title in Adelaide recently and their State Of Origin team looking for a clean sweep in next Wednesday’s SOO3 can a NSW team stop the slaughter at the 18 years Australian Secondary Schoolboy titles to commence this weekend at Newcastle? NSWCIS start proceedings on Sunday morning against ACT and later that afternoon it’s NSWCHS versus NSWCCC. I rate the NSWCHS team highly. They have four current Toyota Cup players in their team, Cheyse Blair and Jacob Miller for the Roosters, Jake Finn Newcastle and Cameron King for St George Illawarra. The team is also chock-a-block with 2009 SG Ball players such as Kane Gillies and David Uhi St George, Sharks flyer Joseph Roqoko, Newtown’s Nick Eshman, Faleula Finau Balmain Tigers, Bulldog Nathan Massey and the Parramatta boys Olomanu Usini, Peni Teripo, Jorge Taufua and Rodney Moefaauo (er...or should I say Sharks!). Who can beat these blokes? NSWCCC think they have a good show after good trial form against West Tigers and Parramatta SG Ball teams. Looking through their squad they look very strong. Alex McKinnon and Jack Stockwell play in the St George Illawarra Toyota Cup team. SG Ball players include Parramatta’s Josh Murray and PJ Asiata, Penrith’s Malakai Watene-Zalezniak and Blake Austin, Balmain’s David Hatzimarkos and Matthew Groat from Wests. NSWCIS warmed up for the nationals with a game against rugby league powerhouse Patrician Brothers Blacktown and losing 38 - 22. Before that they played and beat a combined Hunter Academy/Knights Development team 32 - 28. Officials are happy with their squad which include a number of SG Ball players including Bevan De Vries from the Bears, Zac Pitt from Illawarra and Ben Ryan from Manly. The squad also includes four players backing up from last year which will boost their experience. I don’t think CIS will be there when the whips are cracking but they may be inspired by the upset result in the Australian Schools Rugby Union titles being held this week in Sydney. Yesterday a combined states team (Western Australia, Victoria and South Australia) defeated NSW1 comprising the best players from CHS, GPS and CAS. NSW are the tournament favourites! The Queensland team looks very formidable with Gold Coast Toyota Cup players Jordan Rankin and Ryan James leading the charge. They have players from the Gold Coast SG Ball and Norths Devils that made the semi finals of the National under 18 competition. Those players include Korbin Simms, Aaron Whitchurch and Sam Saville. But we know what happened to Norths Devils and Townsville Stingers in the play-offs don’t we? The Stingers couldn’t match it with our 12th placed team Manly and bowed out in a round of 16 match. Norths Devils beat Parramatta Eels in the upset of the year up at Langlands Park Brisbane in a quarter final match. Many people suggest that win was a fluke because the next week they played against eventual premiers the Bulldogs and got smacked 62 - 10 in the semi final. That evidence leads me to believe that the two NSW teams CHS and CCC will battle out the final. My money will be on CHS to win the final and dominate selection in the Australian Schoolboys side. Good luck to all teams. The ASSRL Open's Championships start this Sunday at 9:30 AM, with the opening ceremony, the action kicks off at 10:30 with NSW CIS v ACT followed by 5 days of the best junior rugby league on the planet. STAY TURNED !! CHECK OUT THE ASSRL OPENS (U 18) DRAW HERE |
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 Thirroul will be hoping their NSW Country players Scott Borg, Blake Dunn and Jay Van Meegan come through the representative match against the Queensland Rangers at Forster today relatively unscathed. The reigning Illawarra Carlton League premiers are one point behind equal fifth teams Helensburgh and Dapto. They would like to have all their troops on deck to play third-placed Shellharbour at Ron Costello Oval at 1pm tomorrow. Butchers centre Brett Grose had also been picked in the NSW Country team. However, he received permission from the Country Rugby League to withdraw from the representative side because his wife, Kylie, has just given birth to their baby boy. Grose will be allowed to play against the Sharks, who have winger Jarek Goebel in the NSW Country team. "Hopefully our rep players do come through the Country game but it won't be the end of the world if they don't," Thirroul captain-coach Ryan Powell said. "If they can play then we will be at full strength this week. 'Corro' (Mark Corrigan) is back and we'll be going in with no injuries. "Our reserve grade has only one or two injuries so this leaves us in a good state for this time of the year. "Every game is important for us. We can't afford to have a bad day anymore. "We have to face each game as if it is our season on the line," he admitted. "Shellharbour are a classy team. "We didn't know much about them when we played them early in the season and they came out to Thirroul and really gave it to us. "It's up to us. We'll take our game out there (to Shellharbour) on Sunday and see how we go," he said. "We can't control the points table. We can control our games. "So we've got to look after what we can control." In today's games, Wests play Dapto at Parrish Park at 4.30pm and Berkeley host Helensburgh at 6.30pm. |
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| MICHAEL ENNIS LATEST BLUE OFF VALENTINE-ELEEBANA PRODUCTION LINE Valentine-Eleebana juniors Michael Ennis, Josh Perry and Brett Kimmorley at a children's promotion yesterday on the Central Coast.- Picture by Simone De Peak NSW hooker Michael Ennis often studied the canteen walls of Valentine-Eleebana Junior Rugby League Club and dreamed of following in the footsteps of his heroes. Pictures of Kangaroos and NSW stars Paul Harragon, Adam Muir and Brett Kimmorley graced the Valentine canteen, and Ennis will be the next to join that illustrious list when he makes his Origin debut for NSW next week. The Canterbury hooker will be joined by fellow Valentine juniors Kimmorley and reborn Manly prop Josh Perry in the Origin dead rubber. Ennis, 25, made his debut with Valentine in the under 13s in 1997 and went on to play Australian Schoolboys before being signed by the Knights. "All I remember was going to the canteen and seeing Noddy's picture up on the wall and guys like Chief and Adam Muir, and I always wondered one day whether I'll get up there," Ennis said. "It's certainly nice to know that we've all come from a little club like that." Although eight years Ennis's senior, Kimmorley held similar dreams at Valentine. "They had some great players playing at the club before me like the Chief and Adam Muir. You used to see pictures of them on the wall," Kimmorley said. Kimmorley joined the Devils in 1984 aged seven and played until the under 15s before joining feeder club Lakes United. Valentine's honour role of NRL stars is good enough to fill a team. Daniel Abraham, Anthony Quinn, Brett Finch, Craig Kimmorley, Adam Brown, Clint Newton, Luke Burt and Willie Mason also spent part of their junior days in the red V. Perry joined Valentine in the under 13s in 1995 and was part of a stellar line-up which included Burt, Finch and Abraham. "It was a good club, and you had blokes like Paul Harragon who played there," Perry said. "It had a good community feel and was a great club to be involved with." Valentine Juniors began in 1970 as a three-team club with Reg Squires and Bruce Gill the president and secretary. Valentine's most famous junior, Knights premiership-winning captain Harragon, said the Devils' growth had been amazing. "It's gone well beyond Lakes United to the Knights, and to many other NRL clubs," Harragon said. "Their teams are growing exponentially and have plenty of tradition and now have more numbers than any other club in Newcastle." Valentine now have 214 players from under 13s to under 17s, 19 more than Western Suburbs. When asked why the Devils had such an impressive record in producing NRL players, Valentine publicity officer Bob Browne said: "It's the comradeship we have here at the club. It's a very family-orientated club and it's because of the coaching staff we've had over the years." Knights assistant coach Rick Stone is the Devils' coaching co-ordinator and has created a program for other coaches. Former junior Jake Finn last week won the Carlson Club's Andrew Johns Medal for the Knights' best 17-year-old. |
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As of 1.55pm yesterday, when Hazem El Masri held the undivided attention of 750 screaming teenagers at Hoxton Park High School, all of them carrying on as if he was a mini Barack Obama, chanting his name then falling dead quiet to hang on his every word about the powers of self-motivation, the worth of deep-seated aspirations and the very real possibility that any old maniacal dream can come true, the retiring Bulldogs great realised what he wanted to do with the rest of his life. Help teenagers with theirs. "This is a bit overwhelming," he told the Herald after spending nearly two hours at the Hinchinbrook school. El Masri had completely underestimated the interest in him and his message. He arrived thinking he might be answering a few questions from a small group of pupils, but the masses swarmed on the assembly area and he looked genuinely stunned when he walked out and realised such a large sea of magnificently high-spirited teenagers were gawking up at him. He grabbed a microphone and said: "Good afternoon, my name is Hazem El Masri from the Bulldogs. Everybody here today has an opportunity to succeed in life. If you believe in yourself and back yourself and put your mind to it, you can do it. My message to you guys here today is to enjoy every minute you can of your school life because it'll give you the best opportunities you have in life. Get the most out of school, don't waste it. Never forget who you are, be your own self-keeper. "Don't go out of line, always keep yourself in check. Your teachers care about you guys, you can talk to them. Never give up, continue what you're doing at school and you might be able to make yourself a champion." The place erupted like it was Nashua, New Hampshire, last year when Obama had just finished banging on about "Yes We Can". The school's league players were taken for a goal-kicking lesson, and a sledge-filled competition, on the main oval. El Masri was genuinely terrific with them, high-fiving them, talking them up, back-slapping them with a very real enthusiasm and sense of warmth. The background noise was a roar. Afterwards, shell-shocked by it all, one of the game's most respected figures admitted he was mad keen on community work through the NRL becoming his full-time gig when he retired at the end of this season. "If I can lift their spirits and get them active - that's my main message, get active and stay out of trouble, just believe in themselves," he said. "It's great when they acknowledge the message and it obviously means something to them. |
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 Yass High School’s rugby league team finished a win short of a place in the University Shield round of 16 following a 40 - 20 loss to Bega High School last month. A pile of unforced errors after half-time cost the visitors dearly. Yass scored the game’s opening try and trailed 16 - 14 at the main break. Bega thrived on their opposition’s errors, posting two tries shortly after half-time to jump to a 26-14 lead. Boyd Roche helped claw back the deficit with a converted try, but a dropped ball from the ensuing kick-off invited Bega to score points. They did just that. The home side ran in three tries to finish the match with a handsome 40 - 20 win and progress to the final 16. Bega awaits the winner of the Riverina division in the next round. |
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 COUNTRY Under 18s coach Garry Gardner has called on Group 4 players to lead the side into battle against those pesky Queenslanders at Forster-Tuncurry tomorrow. Farrer’s Andy Mack will captain the Country side with West Lions dynamo Matt Nean named as his deputy at training on Wednesday night. Unlike the NSW Origin team, the Country 18s have a good recent record against the canetoads and Gardner’s boys will try to keep its winning streak against them going. “We haven’t been beaten in four years so we want to keep that record,” Gardner said yesterday. “They’re training really well. Everything is going to plan at the moment. “Andy Mack is captain and Matty Nean will be vice-captain.” Nean was a member of the side that beat Queensland in Queensland last year. He, Mack and Group 4’s other representative, Kurt Resch, were all members of the Oxley Pioneers team which made it to the Country Championships final. “Andy Mack is playing up front and he’ll lead from up front, which he does well,” Gardner said. “Matty was there last year. He’s at fullback. “Reschy has been named at 13 but he’ll start from the bench because he was a late replacement. “One of the backrowers on the bench will push up to start and I also want to go big. “I want the starting side to be big going up against these guys.” Apart from taking a big side into the game, there is not much to Gardner’s tactical plans. He just wants the side to gel together as much as possible. “It will be a very basic game plan,” he said. “You don’t want to make it too hard for them because they don’t have too long to get together. “They come from Bega to Kyogle and everywhere in between so it’s a big spread.” Players are coming from all over the CRL but the majority are from the north of the state, especially from the Oxley and Central Hunter regions. The other local in the side is hooker Corey Holman from Murrurundi, who was also a late replacement. He plays in Group 21 for Muswellbrook and helped the Central Hunter Power win the Country Championship final. “He’s a great kid,” Gardner said. “He plays well for the Muswellbrook Rams and was very unlucky not to make it in the first place. “I coached him in the Group (21) side this year and he went very well. “He plays his heart out.” |
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| Friday 10 th July 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NEW FACES IN QUEENSLAND TEAMS Story By : QRL THE Queensland Maroons Under 16 team has made three changes ahead of Saturday's clash against NSW Country in Forster. Billy Solah, Elisha Palupe and Matt Berwick are the new additions. The Queensland Under 18 Maroons also play NSW Country in Forster. There is just one change to that side, with Byron Creighton the new face. QUEENSLAND MAROONS UNDER 16 1. Michael KAI - SEQ Kookaburras QUEENSLAND MAROONS UNDER 18 1. Gary FUIMOANO - Townsville Stingers2. Joe COLLINS-SOO - Central Comets 3. Sione AKAUOLA - Gold Coast Vikings 4. Sam BERNSTROM - Wide Bay Bulls 5. Dylan SADD - Mackay Cutters 6. Jordan MEADS (c) - Sunshine Coast Falcons 7. Nathan KEPA - Northern Pride 8. Chris BUCHHOLZ - Mackay Cutters 9. Byron CREIGHTON - Norths Devils 10. Mitchell McMAHON - Norths Devils 11. Kurtis RITCHIE - Townsville Stingers 12. Regan ROPATI Gold Coast Vikings 13. Chris BINGE (vc) - Norths Devils 14. Arthur BROWN - Sunshine Coast Falcons 15. Dermot PRIOR - Mackay Cutters 16. Ben MURDOCH - Gold Coast Vikings 17. Jarrod SHELFORD - Gold Coast Vikings |
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| COUNTRY UNDER 16'S ANNCOUNCED Congratulations to the following players who have been selected to play the Queensland Maroons in Forster on Saturday 11th July. 1. Charly Runcimen Group 11 14. Sam Lennon Group 1 |
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| Thursday 9 th July 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| REFEREES COURSE
The NSW Rugby League would like to extend an open invitation to anyone interested in completing a Level One (Preliminary) Referees Course. The course will be held at Sports House, Homebush on Tuesday the 14th of July and will run from 9am-4pm. The course costs $20 and includes refreshments on the day. Sports House Homebush is located at 6 Figtree Dr, Homebush Bay. For further information regarding this course or future courses please call NSWRL Referee Development Officer Doug Keen on 0409 031 711. |
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AN Orange pairing will be out to make a mark at the 2009 Australian Secondary Schools Open League Championships in Newcastle. Kinross Wolaroi’s Lachlan Sturgeon and St Stanislaus’ Angus Brotherton will line up as part of the NSW Combined Independent Schools (CIS) side which will contest the national competition ,which starts on Sunday. The Orange Hawks under 18s players were part of the NSW CIS side for the under 15s national championships two years ago and will make their open championships debut this year. “It’s pretty full-on. They’re pretty hard teams,” Brotherton said. The CIS side has had a good preparation, coming out of their trial matches with a win and a loss. “Training has been about basics and setting our structures,” Sturgeon said. “It’s a pretty strong side. They’ve said it’s one of the best opens teams they’ve had in a long time.” The CIS side includes 11 members who have played SG Ball or Toyota Cup for various Sydney clubs this year. CIS will be in Pool B with ACT and Combined Affiliated Schools (CAS). Pool A includes schoolboy league powerhouses NSW Combined High Schools, NSW Combined Catholic Colleges and Queensland. CIS will play ACT on Sunday and CAS on Monday. If they finish on top of their pool they will play the leading side from Pool A, and the winner will go straight into the final. The two Orange boys know who they would like to meet in the semi-finals. “We’d like to beat Queensland,” Sturgeon smiled. “Beating NSW sides is good, but it’s not as good as beating Queensland.” Brotherton will play in the second row but Sturgeon said he was still to find out whether he would play in the second row or lock. An Australian Schoolboys side will be selected from the championships to play a touring Great Britain side, but the Orange pair said that’s not their aim. “We just want to focus on playing well for CIS,” Brotherton said. The championships will be held in Newcastle and run from July 12-17. |
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ASTLEY CUP The Astley Cup will live in the trophy cabinet of Dubbo College Senior Campus for the third year in a row after the school wrapped up the title late yesterday afternoon. Dubbo headed into final event against Bathurst High School with a lead of just six points. But the rugby league team thrived under the pressure in front of its home crowd at No.1 Oval to blow Bathurst away with a 60 to 6 win. Dubbo jumped out to a 22-0 lead at half-time to virtually have the cup in the bag, but continued to rub salt deep into the wounds with five-eighth Steve Riley tormenting the defence and Brad Spencer scoring three tries. When the damage was done Dubbo had won the tie against Bathurst 444 points to 356. Together with the 451.5 to 348.5 points win over Orange High School last week Dubbo finished with a total of 895.5 Astley Cup points. Bathurst High School finished second on 801 and Orange third on 703.5. “It’s been a fantastic effort considering people have been dropping sick all week after the terrible weather conditions we were confronted with in Orange last week,” Dubbo College sports co-ordinator Kieran Smith said after the win yesterday. “It’s been all heart, which was typified by the girls soccer. All 14 players were sick and were behind 3-0 after 15 minutes. But they went into defensive mode and didn’t let another goal in. “The Astley Cup is a hard thing to win and takes a lot of time and commitment. “It especially means everything to the Year 12s who will leave at the end of the year knowing they won the Astley Cup in their final year. “They really drive that school spirit while having the Year 7 to 9s from Delroy and South campuses watching ensures it will remain strong in years to come.” Earlier in the day Dubbo’s tennis team was pushed to the very end before coming away with a nine sets to seven victory (56 to 44 Astley Cup points) and Dubbo won the boys soccer 1-0 (67-33) in a high quality match. Dubbo headed into the final day leading 210 to 190 after wins on Tuesday in the netball and hockey, a loss in the basketball and a tie in the athletics. DUBBO COLLEGE SENIOR CAMPUS 60 (Brad Spencer 3, Matt Toole 2, Steve Riley 2, EJ Fernando, Perry Meredith, Alex Ronayne, Dylan Hill, Leroy Toomey tries; Corey Cox 5, Spencer goals) def BATHURST HIGH SCHOOL 6. |
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Red Bend Catholic College, Forbes had both the fifteens and Opens in the Andrew Ryan Cup finals hosted by the CRL in Dubbo last Thursday. Red Bend College fifteens had 3 very hard and close games. Winning their first against Bathurst High School 12-10, followed by a draw against James Sheahan and in the final game to determine who progressed through to the Southern Semi-Finals in Cootamundra, they were defeated by a strong South Dubbo team 20 - 12. Best for Red Bend College fifteens on the day were Jake O’Brien, Dave Cowhan, Wade Harris and Jake Goodwin. Red Bend’s Opens played outstanding rugby league to convincingly win both their games. In the first game they accounted for James Sheahan (Orange) 36-0, followed by another dominating display against Kelso High (Bathurst) also 36-0. The Red Bend Opens now progress through to the CRL Cup Semi Finals to be held in Cootamundra on July 30th, where they play Kiama High and either Hennessy College (Young) or Bega High in the second game. The Open’s best performers were forwards Lou Goodwin, Jake Grace, Andrew Cowhan, Mitch Davis and in the backs Toby Evans and Ethan Williams. A highlight for the players was meeting Andrew Ryan and him making the presentation to the winners with the Open’s receiving bags containing ‘Bulldogs’ gear. Both teams would like to thank the CRL and Andrew Ryan (Bulldogs) for hosting the day and the many spectators for travelling to Dubbo. |
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The College Fourteens travelled to Wagga on Tuesday 7th July to participate in the Regional playoffs for the Cochrane Cup against Kildare Catholic College. The Cochrane Cup is a State wide competition for Catholic Schools and Colleges and administered by the NSW RL Academy. The College started well scoring the first try with Ben Thomson from Parkes crossing out wide. Kildare attacked the College line and were next to score from kick to level the scores at 4 all. After some great work by the College forwards including Druss Afele the ball was shifted out wide with Dave Cowhan offloading to Jarred Tyack for winger Ben Maguire to score in the corner, this had the College in front 8-4 at halftime. Kildare attacked after the break scoring next for 8 all. The Red Bend team then controlled with great tries to Daniel Willis and Chris Judd and a conversion to Caleb Hewitt. In a hard decision as all players played well points were given to front rower Dave Cowhan 3 points, 2 points to second rower Ben Thomson and 1 point each to 13 year old Chris Judd and forward Archie McMasters. Thanks to the parents that travelled down to support the team, Robyne Cowhan for the photos and Kildare College for the BBQ after the game. The Fourteens now move into the final 8 in the State and are due to play La Salle College, Bankstown (Jamal Idris’ school) early next term. |
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Story & Photo : QRL Queensland school boys selected in Australian Merit team after dominating 15 Years Secondary Schools championships The Queensland Maroons dominated the titles that were held at Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide. The team was undefeated throughout the week long Championships, posting an imposing 136 points in their four victories and conceding just 40. The New South Wales teams had come into the Championships with much fanfare and were highly fancied, but the talented Queensland side swept all before them. Queensland was put though a week long preparation before travelling to the Championships. An opposed session against the Gold Coast Titans’ NYC team showed that the youngsters were capable of stepping up against more physical opposition. The win completed back-to-back titles for the Maroons and provided further evidence that the junior development system in Queensland was working well. "A number of the boys have come through elite programs within their clubs, the QAS and most recently the Cyril Connell Cup competition,” said team manager Jim Look. “The players also compete in School competitions run by the Broncos and the Cowboys, so they are being asked to perform regularly at a very high standard. “Add to that the expertise of coach Don Saunders and it is a recipe for success.” Championship Final: QLD Maroon 34 (Scott Doyle 2, Jarrod Watson, Jack Rycen, Tony Milford, Mitchell Grimes tries; Mitchell Grimes 3, Tony Milford 2 goals) def ACT 10 (Carl Johnson, Luke Heyman tries; Luke Heyman goal). AUSTRALIAN SECONDARY SCHOOLS RUGBY LEAGUE 15 YEARS POOL A MERIT TEAM 2009 2 Jarrod Watson (St Patricks College, Shorncliffe) (Redcliffe Dolphins) PLAYERS who honed their skills in the Greater Brisbane Junior Rugby League have returned from this year’s 15 Years Secondary Schools Titles as Australian Merit team members. Jarrod Watson (St Patricks College, Shorncliffe) (Redcliffe Dolphins), Mitchell Grimes (Bentley Park College) (Browns Plains), Tony Milford (Clairvaux MacKillop College) (Southern Suburbs), Quaid Rippingale-Vesetolu (Keebra Park State High School) (Logan Brothers) and Scott Doyle (Clairvaux MacKillop College) (Wests Centenary) all played well and earned their place in the team. |
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| ARRIVE ALIVE CUP UPDATE - 8TH JULY 2009 CHIFLEY COLLEGE V KIAMA HIGH SCHOOL Arrive alive Cup action continued last Friday with WIN Jubilee Oval playing host to a hard fought encounter between two aspiring schools from the Tier B side of the draw - Chifley College and Kiama High School. The match was a closely contested physical encounter between two evenly matched schools. In a match where momentum swung a number of times, Kiama High School ran out 16-10 winners and advanced to the round of 16. The match was a brilliant display of schoolboy Rugby League and both schools can be proud of their efforts. The match last Friday was a physical contest played in cold & windy conditions. Chifley appeared the stronger and more physical side in the opening half. Strong defence from both sides was prevalent in the first period, with both schools coming up with some strong tackles. It was a lone try to Chifley front rower Chris Tavai that separated the two schools in the opening 20 minutes. With only minutes remaining in the first stanza, the Kiama High halves combined brilliantly with a sharp attacking play that saw halfback Mark Asquith break the line and throw a great inside to ball five eighth Rixon Russell (pictured) who showed enough pace to score under the posts. Kiama converted and took a 6-4 into the half time break. Kiama started on the attack in the second half, and after a well-placed kick in the in goal from fullback Simon Maslanka, the Kiama School had the chance to mount some good pressure on the Chifley defence. It did not take long for Kiama to turn this pressure into points when centre, and man of the match Kal Collins (pictured) dived over in the corner to extend the Kiama lead. After a penalty on the next set, Kiama were again peppering the Chifley line. This time it was half back Mark Asquith, who split the defence and showed some quick feet to dive over and score close to the posts. Maslanka converted to extend the Kiama lead to 16-4. Chifley College had to be next to score to keep their competition chances alive. It was a beautiful kick from halfback Dean McWhirter to his flying centre Alan Morrison that saw Chifley reduce the margin to a converted try. Chifley began to move the ball well down field as the Kiama defence began to tire. Their big physical side was able to offload the ball at will and the team were finding gaps in the Kiama line. Chifley fullback Michael Compton looked dangerous and likely to break the Kiama line on a number of occasions. Five eighth Dylan Ariu exemplified impressive footwork, and the size and strength of centre Tekina Vaiella (pictured) proved a handful for the Kiama High defence. After waves of Chifley attack, it was a mistake in the left hand corner that saw Chifley fall metres short of scoring the comeback try. Kiama were spirited in the final minutes and were good enough to hold on for a thrilling 16-10 victory. Kiama will now play southern Sydney powerhouse Endeavour Sports High School on Friday July 31st at WIN Stadium, Wollongong. In other Arrive alive Cup matches, Patrician Brothers' Blacktown have recorded a huge 62-0 win over Tier A school La Salle Catholic College. Patrician Brothers' Blacktown look ready to impress in the 2009 Arrive alive Cup, they now await the winner of Matraville Sports High and St John's Woodlawn. The next Arrive alive Cup match is scheduled for Friday 24th, July at Blue Tongue Stadium between Holy Cross & Erindale College. |
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| Wednesday 8 th July 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Just when you thought things were settling down at Parramatta after losing three of their top juniors to Cronulla last week comes news that their 2009 SG Ball captain Kyle Fraser is negotiating with both the Roosters and Sharks. Fraser starred for the Eels Ball team this season that made the semi finals of the national under 18 competition. The big strong lock forward from the famous Cabramatta club, the same nursery that produced NRL superstars Jarryd Hayne and Krisnan Inu, is devasted that he will not be part of the club any longer. Many Eels are on the outer at Parramatta after the club withdrew offers to players who failed to measure up to stringent strength and conditioning tests in their recently introduced high performance unit. The Eels are already preparing for next years junior reps assualt with players training twice a week under the guidance of NRL and Toyota cup staff. Fraser was featured in a ourfootyteam.com story about his progress to SG Ball captain in one of the strongest teams ever assembled in junior reps history. The "quarter million dollar team" as Parramatta became known with the inclusion of eight imports from Queensland, New Zealand and NSW Country. He was a product of the Parramatta junior system. He didn’t make Parramatta’s Harold Matthews team in 2007 and they sent him to the Western Academy. Last year he missed the SG Ball initial squad and they sent him to the under 17 development team but later elevated him to the SG Ball team after injuries had diminished their stock. He then found himself captain of one of the strongest teams in the SG Ball competition in 2009. He is a great example to kids who don’t get picked the first time. We wish Kyle all the best in his future football endeavours. He will be missed at Parramatta. |
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Toyota Cup star centre Daniel Vidot will make his NRL debut this weekend against Newcastle, when the Raiders take on the Knights at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Saturday night. Vidot comes into the side on the wing for Justin Carney, who was ruled out for the remainder of the season after breaking his leg against the Gold Coast Titans on Sunday. Carney has undergone a successful surgery on his right leg to repair the breaks to his fibula and tibia and will return to rehabilitation training in a few weeks time once he can apply pressure back on his right foot. The Raiders have been forced to make two other changes to their side for this weekends match with David Shillington (Qld) and Tom Learoyd-Lahrs (NSW) both being selected for State of Origin III. This means Raiders forwards Scott Logan and Joe Picker will come back into the NRL side for the game against the Knights, after both showing strong form for Souths Logan in the Queensland Cup. Joel Thompson also comes into the Raiders side for the first time in 2009 after being named on the bench for Trevor Thurling, while Glen Turner has been named as 18th man. Raiders Coach David Furner said the inclusion of Daniel Vidot would give them a strong option out wide and said he believed he was ready for the step up to NRL level. “Dan gets his chance this weekend with the injury to Justin Carney and he’s been one of the standout performers at Toyota Cup level this season,” Furner said. “He also gives us some good size and strength against a very physical Newcastle side.” Furner congratulated both Learoyd-Lahrs and Shillington on their selection for Origin III and said they would come back better from the experience. “It’s good to see those guys get some recognition for their good form over the last few weeks and I know they will do the job for their states,” he said. “They will learn a lot in camp and be able to bring that back to their team mates when they return.” |
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Strong performances firstly for Group 11 Under-16s and then the Southern Country Under-16s has resulted in Charly Runciman, Kieran Shipp and Thomas Alchin being rewarded with selection in the NSW Country Under-16s. The trio are currently in Forster preparing for their biggest representative challenge to date - a match against the Queensland Rangers this Saturday. The opens will also feature with Parkes Spacemen captain Dennis Moran in action and in the under-18s Cain Henry from Parkes and Cameron Miller from Forbes will fly the flag for Group 11 players. Alchin, Runciman and Shipp all attend Dubbo College Senior Campus while on the weekends Alchin and Runciman play for St John’s while Shipp plies his trade with PCYC. Last year Runciman played in the NSW CHS Schoolboys Under-15s while the highest previous honours for Shipp and Alchin came earlier this year for the NSW Indigenous Under-16s. Alchin is originally from Lightning Ridge but for the past two years has been based at the Warrina Hostel which in the past has housed several stars of the future including dual Kangaroo/Wallaby international Timana Tahu and more locally Macquarie Raiders stalwart Peter Boon. “Coming to Dubbo has opened up some good opportunities and I can’t wait for this game,” Alchin said. “It should be a good experience to mix it up with some of the best players of our age.” Group 11 lost to eventual NSW Country champions Group 10 in the NSW Country Championships while Southern defeated Northern and as a result earned nine of the 17 spots in the Country side. “We know mostly just the other Southern guys but they’re all pretty good blokes and easy to get along with, so it should be fun,” Runciman said. None of the boys seemed phased that NRL scouts may be in attendance. “We’re told not to worry too much about NRL scouts, we just concentrate on playing footy,” Shipp said. |
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| SCHOOL'S SUCCESS IN LEAGUE CONTINUES Dubbo South Primary School has teams qualified in both the David Peachey Shield and Russell Richardson Cup competitions to be played at Apex Oval today. The school has a rich history in the two tournaments and have the chance to continue that legacy again with 16 teams from throughout the region in each division. The Peachey Shield caters for Years 5 and 6 and Narromine will join South as the other local qualifier while the Richardson Cup is for Years 3 and 4 and St Mary’s Dubbo are the other qualifier from the Dubbo preliminary round played last month. Both Peachey and Richardson grew up in Dubbo before enjoying successful NRL careers including representing Australia. Both are hoping to be present today with Peachey likely to make an appearance in the morning before having to fly to Sydney for thumb surgery after sustaining an injury while playing for the Macquarie Raiders in their local derby Group 11 win against Dubbo CYMS on the weekend. The day will kick off with the first round of Peachey Shield matches at 9.30am which will see Dubbo South play Lithgow-based side Cooerwull and Narromine against St Lawrence’s Coonabarabran. Dubbo South will play Cooerwull in the first round of the Richardson Cup as well at 9.55am while St Mary’s Dubbo do battle with Holy Family Parkes. The final of both tournaments will be played at 1.15pm with official presentations at 1.40pm. |
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 ST JOHNS College Woodlawn have set themselves up for a showdown against one of Sydney's elite rugby league schools after downing the strong St Francis Xavier College 26 - 6 yesterday. Some mighty defence, particularly in the second half, and a strong attacking game from centre Nathaniel Regueira paved the way for the win. Nathaniel scored two tries and kicked two conversions to put the game well beyond the reach of the visiting team, which travelled up from Hamilton in Newcastle for the game. Woodlawn has now progressed through Tier B to become one of the final four non-seeded schools in the Arrive Alive Cup. Assistant coach Simon Andrews said Woodlawn would now meet powerhouse Sydney team Matraville Sports High. “A lot of their players will be from the Sydney Roosters' under-20s, so we will have to sort out where we will play them,” he said. “It is the premier competition for schoolboy rugby league and to be in the final four of the non-seeded sides is a really big achievement. “We do see ourselves as a rugby league powerhouse in this area and it is good to see us get the runs on the board in terms of results.” Woodlawn, which fielded a depleted side due to injury, led 16-0 at half-time and looked almost certain to hold St Francis Xavier scoreless in the second half. But after Woodlawn held out set after set of attacking play close to the try-line, St Francis managed to break through for a consolation four-pointer late in the game. Woodlawn responded in kind soon after as Nathaniel stepped off his left from about 20 metres out and timed his angled run beautifully to score beneath the cross-bar. He left the conversion for hooker Caleb Binge and the big lad didn't disappoint, calmly potting the conversion from right in front which left the finals score at 26 - 6. Aside from Nathaniel's 12-point personal tally, other try scorers included Mitchell Krause, Michael Thomas and Damian Sironen. |
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| Tuesday 7 th July 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BRENDAN'S PRIMED FOR FINALS AND CUP  YEPPOON rugby league powerhouse St Brendan's College have set their sights on victory in the Arrive Alive Cup after winning their fifth Confraternity Shield in eight years. St Brendan's were crowned 2009 Confraternity Shield champions in Bundaberg on Friday, exacting revenge on Townsville arch-rivals Ignatius Park 36-26 in the final. Ignatius Park thrashed St Brendan's in last year's decider in Rockhampton, but it was a complete reversal this time around. Leading 10-6 at half-time, St Brendan's raced to a match-winning 36-10 lead before Ignatius Park scored three late tries. “Revenge is always sweet. They were all great,” St Brendan's coach Terry Hansen declared. Hansen praised fullback Maipele Morseau, hooker Dean Blackman and his back row of Tom Murphy, Ben Jarvis and Luke Crumblin for their performances at the carnival. Morseau, Blackman, halves Sam Madden and Iona Nona, winger Kearny Binawell and centre Tom Quill were rewarded with selection in the Queensland Confraternity team. St Brendan's booked their place in the final with a hard-fought 26-18 semi-final win over Brisbane's Padua College. Ignatius Park ended Rockhampton Grammar School's unbeaten run in the semi-finals with a 18-6 victory. Grammar prop Stephen Coombe and lock Ty Hetherington were also picked in the Queensland Confraternity side. |
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Yesterday was the Cronulla Sharks Schoolboys Knockouts for under 16's and opens rugby league teams. In the Under 16's Grand Final, Engadine High School played Heathcote Hgh School. 10 - 6 In the opens grand final, De La Salle, Cronulla were too good for Aquinas College Menai. After two halves of fantastic schoolboys rugby league, the scores were nil all at full time, so we went into sudden death extra time, both teams scrambled to complete a couple sets before De La Salle Cronulla whipped the ball wide to their wingers and then one of the wingers crashed over the line in the corner of Endeavour Oval to give De La Salle Cronulla the 4 - 0 victory. |
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Souths Juniors – Acacia Ridge DAY 5 UNDER 13 WIDE BAY 24 (Tom Wheeler, Marcus Jensen, Harry Elliot-Howell, Alex Albert, Lachlan Price tries; Harrison Langer 2 goals) def SOUTH WEST 4 (Ben McGrath try) CENTRAL 22 (Julyess Jarvis 2, Jackson Morgan, Cailan Kupke tries; Sheldon Bobbert 3 goals) def SEQ KOOKABURRAS 8 (Isaac Nathan, Sam Swift tries) SEQ POINSETTIAS 38 (Junior Ueligitone Taefu 3, Simione Fatafehi 2, Tyson Gamble, Sean Ashcroft tries; Sean Ashcroft 5 goals) def NORTHERN 10 (Nicholas Filosi, Linton Enoch tries; David Nogar goal) UNDER 14 SEQ KOOKABURRAS 24 (Marion Seve 2, Corey Withers, Tim Wolens tries; Nathan Wilson 4 goals) def CENTRAL 16 (Harry Pondekas 2, Corey Bruton tries; Corey Bruton 2 goals) SOUTH WEST 28 (Dylan McGrath 3, Ryan Mitchell, Nicholas Sargent tries; Ashley Taylor 4 goals) def WIDE BAY 10 (Kaleb Pitcher, Tim Balshaw tries; Kaleb Pitcher goal) NORTHERN 44 (Paul Byrnes 2, Cody Williams, Wilson Leger, Kienan Kerr, Jacob Spiteri, Tulsa Anderson tries; Paul Byrnes 4, Wilson Leger 3, Jack Brock goals) def SEQ POINSETTIAS 14 (Joshua Beehag, Rinsma Saueha, Kadison Thomas-Croft tries; Delayne Ashby goal) UNDER 16 WIDE BAY 38 (Taylor Ryan 4, Brett Doherty, Sam Wright, Patrick Templeman, Chris Ahon tries; Brett Doherty 2, Sam Wright goals) def SOUTH WEST 6 (Matthew Langton try; Matthew Langton goal) SEQ KOOKABURRAS 44 (Michael Kai 2, Taylor Feeney 2, Michael Manuel-Dunlop, Tau Tau Moga, Keanu Te Kiri, Eddie Brimelow tries; Tau Tau Moga 2, Keanu Te Kiri 2, Sam Johnson 2 goals) def CENTRAL 12 (Ricky Moxham, Anthony Reabel tries; Clinton Mooney, Samuel Clayton goals) SEQ POINSETTIAS 36 (Keiran Battelly 3, Josh Civoniceava, Josh Tunnicliffe, Zach Lokeni, Tom Ingersole tries; Anthony Gadd 4 goals) def NORTHERN 4 (Willie-John Leger try) UNDER 13 Points Table UNDER 14 Points Table UNDER 16 SEQ Poinsettias 14.5 SEQ Kookaburras 9.5 Wide Bay 8.5 Northern 5 South West 4.5 Central 3 |
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| Monday 6 th July 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dubbo College Senior Campus has turned the Astley Cup on its head with a devastating display of dominance on day two of the tie against Orange High School last week. Dubbo headed into yesterday’s sporting contests in Orange trailing 242.5 points to 157.5 and after the athletics were cancelled due to bad weather and the points shared the margin between the two schools appeared even more insurmountable. But then, as the deluge from the cold and windy skies above continued to fall, the carnage on the ground began, first in the girls soccer with Dubbo winning 3-1 (75 Astley Cup points to 25), then 4-0 (83-17) in a clinical display by the boys soccer team and the rout was finished off in the rugby league, finishing up 62-10 (86-14) in Dubbo’s favour. “It’s been a cold, wet, windy, freezing day and not very pleasant at all, but the league has just finished and we’ve done very well,” Dubbo College sports co-ordinator Kieran Smith told the Daily Liberal yesterday afternoon. “The athletics were called off because the weather made some events too dangerous, but we still managed to overcome a big deficit so it was a pretty good day. “In the girls soccer Nyoka Boney scored two goals while Staci and Monique Cummings definitely stood out. “The performance from Dubbo in the boys soccer was the best I’ve ever seen, they controlled the game and never looked threatened. “Nathan Kenyon at centre back, Deney Fletcher and James Leonard all did a good job. “Max Ray and Dylan Hill simply ran over the top of Orange and were unstoppable in the rugby league and Charlie Runciman also played well.” The overall result - Dubbo took the day 294 points to 106 to take the tie by more than 100 points, 451.5 to 348.5. This means the Astley Cup will be decided in Dubbo next week between Bathurst High School and Dubbo College, after Bathurst downed Orange 445 to 355 in their home tie last week. Statistically, the two schools will head into the decider on virtually even terms, however historically Dubbo holds the advantage. Dubbo has won the Astley Cup two years in a row and Bathurst is searching for its first taste of glory in 20 years. |
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| Saturday 4 th July 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chifley College, Mt Druitt have narrowly lost to a reformed Kiami high in the Arrive Alive Cup. The close 16 - 10 scoreline showed the toughness of the game as both team struggled for the edge at Win Jubilee Stadium last night. Kiama have claimed a few big scalps on their run to Arrive alive Cup glory and now march on. Chifley will now have to turn their concentration to the Uni-Shield, where they are due to face heavy weights Sarah Redfern High in a due or die match up for both schools with both eliminated in the Arrive Alive. Sarah will look to the likes of Dragon Prop Limoni Latu and Classy Manly centre Ronny Palumbo. While Chifley will look to young gun Dylan Ariu ,lock Elkan Tanuvasa and Impact off the bench Lawrence Sovala. Also Penrith centre Tekina Vaiella battle with Palumbo will be a highlight,with both players noted hitters and attackers. PREDICTION Chifley winning a close game and advancing. But we shall c in the coming weeks. |
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| Friday 3 rd July 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| INVERELL 13S PREVENT CLEAN SWEEP BY FARRER FARRER and Inverell High advanced to the Northern Country Rugby League Cup finals with regional success at Scully Park yesterday. Inverell prevented an all-Farrer representation by winning the U13s, but Farrer was too strong in the U15s, and will now join the opens in the July 30 Northern finals in Armidale. Yesterday, Inverell won through to the finals for the first time after scoring with a minute to go in their last round match against Farrer. While they missed the conversion to win, but the 18-all draw was enough to pip Farrer on for and against after both sides had collected two previous wins. In the 15s, Farrer defeated Glen Innes in the final 24-14. “They’re obviously pleased to have progressed to the Northern finals,” Farrer 15s co-coach John Lesslie said. “We started off in the first two games playing pretty well. “It was a tough game against Glen Innes.” Glen Innes scored the final points of the match but it wasn’t enough to run down Farrer’s lead. “They’re a big and fairly mobile side and they put it to us,” Lesslie said. He said Olly Thomson at fullback and centre Dan Boland were two of their stronger performers. They were missing Matt Brady, due to NSW CHS U15 commitments in Adelaide, which also took Ethan Stevens out of the Gunnedah High side. Farrer, Gunnedah, Glen Innes and Duval were vying for the 15s honours after winning their respective gala days, while Farrer, Inverell, O’Connor and Coonabarabran lined up in the 13s. |
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Congratulations to all the schools who played in this years MCC rugby league competition. It all came down to the Grand Finals where the top teams in MCC rugby league played for supremacy. There were 2 venues for this years MCC grand finals, Liechhardt Oval saw 3 games full of entertaining fast footy were only a few points decided championship games. The other venue was Erskinville Oval were the battle just just as exciting and intence for both the players and their screaming school friends and families, most mums were in fine voice gently encouraging their son's from afar.
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Nothing could knock down Dubbo College South Campus yesterday, not even the flu, as the school’s under-15s ran riot to win the Andrew Ryan Country Cup at Apex Oval. The team had just one reserve for the day due to some late withdrawals but still managed to record three wins from their three matches. South Campus defeated James Sheahan College 24-0, Bathurst High School 20-16 and Red Bend College, Forbes 22-12 to win the tournament. They now progress to the NSW Country Cup semi-finals to be played at Cootamundra on July 30. “Marty Fernando and Swade Dunn were two of our standouts, but everyone did really well considering I had about six or seven players pull out with the flu,” coach Craig May said. In the under-13s St John’s College Dubbo overcame an early scare to win the Andrew Ryan Country Cup in their age division. They held off Canowindra 8-6 in their first game before beating Kelso 24-16 and Cowra 24-10 in the later rounds. “We had a close one against Canowindra but once the boys were warmed up they started to click into gear,” coach Andy Haycock said. “Centre Nick Harvey scored seven tries for us today, running forwards BJ O’Connor and Dan Kilpatrick consistently made yards all day and Harry Kempston led the team around park well at half.” The most dominant display on the day belonged to the Red Bend College Opens team who won their division without conceding a point - 36-0 over both James Sheahan College and Kelso High School. Andrew Ryan attended the day and assisted with presentations before taking time out to have photographs with the players and sign autographs. Country Rugby League development officer Steve McLellan introduced the Canterbury Bulldogs captain as a great supporter of country rugby league who had never failed to support this tournament since its inception in 2002. Ryan thanked everybody who made the tournament possible each year. “There has been some great football played in great spirit and there are some fantastic footballers out there,” Ryan said at the presentation. “Keep working and some of you could go a long way. These days most Sydney clubs are looking for the whole package - not just performance on the field, but doing the right thing off the field and at school as well.” |
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| Thursday 2 nd July 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
JAKE FINN WINS ANDREW JOHNS MEDAL
Newcastle Knights Junior, Jake Finn has taken out the Brian Carlson Award and Andrew Johns Medal at tonight's Junior Presentation Awards. Finn joins a list of Rugby League Legends as past winners of the region's most prestigious junior award including Andrew Johns, Anthony Quinn, Owen Craigie and Jarrod Mullen. The full list of winners from tonight's awards is....
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NSWCHS UNIVERSITY SHIELD - ENDEAVOUR SHS v MATRAVILLE SHS @ ESHS - " FIELD of DREAMS " After a fantastic comeback by the Endeavour SHS University Shield team, Matraville scored to steal an exciting game of CHS rugby league. THe first have was hard, both team couldn't get close to the line and the scoreless struggle continued until Mat ra got the ball moving and it ended with Chris Thomas who blasted his way to four points. Massey doesn't miss, and bang, it's 0 - 6 to Matraville. The Nathan Massey gets the footy not far from the center of the paddock, he runs around a couple blokes, step this way, goes the other way, no one gets to smash him and he scores a good try to put the Matraville boys up 0 - 10 at half time. THe second half was a great half of footy, both teams were putting it in, Endeavour got close late in the set and the ball was passed to Joel 'Tubsy' Tubbs who pushed and stepped and used brute strength to get through the legs of 4 means Matra defenders. John Nicholas had a rare miss. Score 4 - 10 It wasn't much later when John Nicolas went himself from 30 or so out, skill & speed was the home team grab the much deserved lead in this tough Uni Shield encounter. Back in form, the conversion goes over the black dot despite the strong wind. Endeavour hit the lead late in the second half SCORE 12 - 10 It was hard work out there for both teams as a fair bit of mud was an effort to run through. Then with only a few sets left to play, and from their own half, Matraville scoot and pass to Liam Ayoub who uses lightning hands gets the ball to a flying winger Ratu Tagive who runs 40 meters to put the ball down in the corner, Ratu likes scoring tries and is dangerous with the footy and a tiny bit of space, this time he had lots. It was only a few minutes late when the bell went, that was it, Matraville win a classic struggle by two very good schoolboys rugby league teams. Well done to the ref in the end and to all the coaches, staff of both schools, and the ENDEAVOUR SUPPORTERS So it's looking good for both Endeavour & Matra this year, when all players are available and the teams gel, now that's what we want to see |
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Congratulations to all the players, coaches and fans on a great day of junior rugby league on a sunny winters day. At times it looked like organised chaos, there were kids, families and friends everywhere over the three venues for this years Sharks Schools Knockout. There were 100's of winners today, everyone who played did their best, had fun, some people scored tries and some set up a few, but every one got the day off school. Today was amazing, at Endeavour Sports High School, Endeavour played Matraville Sports in the u 18 NSWCHS University shield where half a dozen NSW under 18 representatives battled for their schools. As you can imagine this was a game of the highest quality with lots of real good footy players, and 100 meters away on the top field, the mighty under 13's were battling for supremacy of there own. Meanwhile down the road at Captain Cook & Endeavour ovals the action continued with more games of footy that you can point a camera at. |
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| Wednesday 1 st July 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Erindale College from Canberra came from behind trailing Red Bend College 6 - 16 in the Arrive alive Cup Erindale College staged a good come back in the 2nd half to run away with a close fought victory. Erindale College now progress to the next round in the AaC. Erindale play Holy Cross Ryde at Win Jubilee Stadium on Friday afternoon, the winner of this game goes on to play the mighty St. Dominic's College, Blacktown |
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Story & Photo BY : SAM FITZGERALD CANOBOLAS High coach Trent Colley was left to lament poor completion rates and a host of handling errors after his side’s University Shield campaign was curtailed by Blayney High in controversial circumstances at Wade Park yesterday. Deadlocked at 24-all after 60 minutes of ordinary time and then again at 30-all after 20 minutes of extra-time, referee Brandon Vidler awarded the match to Blayney High on a countback, due to the fact they were the first side to score. Blayney coach Tony Tilburg said his side’s gritty win was testament to their determination in the absence of three of their most crucial pivots. “I think we just wanted it more, it was a really gritty game and a good exhibition of schoolboy rugby league,” Tilburg said. Canobolas completed only four of their 11 sets of six in the first half and allowed Blayney valuable field position on several occasions through untimely handling errors. Junior NSW representative Jack Wighton showed glimpses of individual brilliance, but was for the most part outshone by his opposite number, Sam Mooney, for the majority of the encounter. Tilburg said Mooney’s presence was instrumental in his side’s success and believed the talented five-eighth to be among the best for Blayney. “Sam Mooney was outstanding, he’s been outstanding all year,” Tilburg said. “I think the experience of playing NSW schoolboys has really helped his development and the experience is evident.” Mooney scored once and had a hand in four of Blayney’s other five tries, as well slotting three conversions and kicking a timely 40-20 in the sixth minute of the match. Colley was visibly disappointed as he consoled his players after the game, but was left to regret several missed scoring opportunities and ill-discipline around the ruck. “Pretty disappointed with the result, we created plenty of opportunities, but yeah I’m extremely proud of all the boys and they represented the school really well,” Colley said. BLAYNEY HIGH 30 (TJ Smith 2, David Brookes, Lewis Bird, Sam Mooney, John McKenzie tries; Mooney 3 goals) drew with CANOBOLAS HIGH 30 (Trent Leahey 2, Josh Annis-Brown, Matt Georgiou, Adam Jones, Sandon Gibbs-O’Neil tries; Annis-Brown 3 goals) after extra-time. Full time: 24-all. Blayney win on countback. |
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| JUNIOR CARNIVAL TEAMS AND DRAW Story By : QRL QUEENSLAND’S leading junior players will showcase their skills at Acacia Ridge from Thursday when the Struddys Sports QRL State Championships get underway. The prestigious carnival, hosted by the Souths JRLC, runs over five days and features 39 games across the Under 13, Under 14 and Under 16 Age Groups. Six Divisional teams – the South West Mustangs, SEQ Kookaburras, Northern Marlins, Central Capras, SEQ Poinsettias and Wide Bay Bulls – will be represented in each age group. The carnival kicks off on Thursday at noon with the Under 13 clash between the Mustangs and Kookaburras on field one. A further five games will be played that day, including the Under 13 clash between the Wide Bay Bulls and SEQ Poinsettias. The Bulls team includes Harrison Langer, the son of champion former Queensland and Australian halfback Allan Langer. Not surprisingly, Langer will don the number seven jersey and play halfback for the talented Bulls outfit. Fourteen match officials have been selected to control proceedings in the middle and from the sideline. The group includes Ipswich referee Belinda Sleeman, who will become the first female to officiate at the Under 13, 14 and 16 Championships. Along with the great footy, there is plenty happening off the field. The Struddys Sports Carnival Dinner will be held on the Saturday from 7pm at the Souths Sports Club. To view all the teams and the draw – click on the below link 2009 Struddys Championships - Teams & Draws |
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With 56 teams, 855 players, 180 coaches and officials and over 2,000 parents and family spectators, the 2009 Stockland Laurie Spina Carnival is set to make a huge impact on Townsville over 3-4 July. Managed by the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys and sponsored by Stockland and North Shore, the carnival is celebrating its thirteenth year with a record number of team nominations. Teams from as far away as Palm Island, Springsure and Blackall will travel across North and Central Queensland to attend, with several new teams competing for the first time, including the Redlynch Razorbacks and the Walkerston Wanderers. 2008 carnival winners Townsville Brothers will return to defend their title for the showcase event on the Cowboys Junior Development program in 2009. Games will be played from 10am on Friday at the Brothers Rugby League Club grounds, culminating in the final on Saturday 4 July on the main field at Dairy Farmers Stadium prior to the Cowboys v Sharks Toyota Cup match. Teams will also contest the Fastest Feet Relay in front of the Cowboys home crowd, where 56 teams will compete in a sideline-to-sideline relay for the title of ‘fastest feet in North Queensland’, with prizes generously donated by Stockland. Open to players under 11 years of age, the Stockland Laurie Spina Shield is a two-day rugby league carnival that focuses on participation, sportsmanship and enjoying the ‘greatest game of all’. The shield began in 1997 and is named after Laurie Spina, the North Queensland Cowboys’ first captain, who continues to be a tireless contributor to the development of junior rugby league in North Queensland. Cowboys Player Development Manager Jason Gray says that excitement is building as the teams prepare to descend on Townsville for a weekend of rugby league. “The Laurie Spina Shield continues to grow each year and will contribute around $1M to the local economy this year,” Gray says. “With the support of Stockland and North Shore, and the commitment and competitive spirit from the players, officials, coaches and supporters, this event is now the biggest underage rugby league carnival in the country, and we’re extremely proud of that.” Stockland Townsville Centre Manager Patrina Bowtell is delighted to be involved and encourages rugby league supporters to enjoy the carnival atmosphere. “It’s a great time to enjoy the glorious Townsville winter weather by going along to watch the games at Brothers, then finishing off the weekend with the big match at Dairy Farmers Stadium,” Patrina Bowtell says. “Stockland and North Shore are proud North Queenslanders and we welcome all the teams and wish them luck.” “It’s great that we can support and encourage participation from kids all over North Queensland in Rugby League,” Ben Simpson says. “Though it is all about getting involved, it is also a great opportunity to maybe discover a local who will one day represent the Cowboys. “These kinds of experiences have a lasting impact on our future champions and help create great ambassadors for the game.” Stockland and North Shore are major sponsors of the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys and sponsors of the Cowboys Junior Development program, and their support enables the development team to travel thousands of kilometres to visit schools and junior and senior rugby league clubs each year. For more information on the 2009 Stockland Laurie Spina Shield, visit www.cowboys.com.au/laurie-spina. |
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| Tuesday 30 th June 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The College opens defeated Yanco Agriculture High School in the Arrive Alive Riverina final on Monday.. In one of it's most convincing wins over arch rivals Yanco the College ran out winners to the tune of 46-10. The College after a shaky start scored first with a good try to young centre Joe Gunn. With forwards, Mitch Davis, Lou Goodwin and captain Jake Grace dominating, the game slipped away from Yanco, but to their credit the Red Bend stuck to their game plan and produced a dominate display. Try scorers on the day were Joe Gunn (2), Jake Grace (2), Cameron Miller, Mitch Davis, Lou Goodwin, Jake Stenhouse and Cameron Clarke with goals to Nicholas Wilson (3) and Ethan Williams (2) The College now takes on Erindale College from Canberra. This game will take place this Thursday (25th June), in Canberra. Kickoff 2pm. The winner will then progress through to tackle Holy Cross College, Ryde. In a difficult task the points for the Yanco game went to 3 points Jake Grace, 2 points Blake Baxter and 1 each to Toby Evans and Lou Goodwin. Thanks to the parents that came along to support and Michelle Grace for the photo's |
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Red Bend Catholic College has taken out the Riverina final of the Arrive Alive Cup and continue their campaign when they travel to Canberra today. The Arrive Alive Cup is Australia’s premier schools rugby league competition and is played in a knockout format. More than 450 schools from across New South Wales and Queensland take part in the competition and for many of the young rugby league players the cup is the biggest stage they have yet appeared on. Red Bend Catholic College claimed the Riverina final with a win over Yanco Agricultural College last Monday. The College and Yanco have a long history and the rivalry between the two schools is intense. The College scored one of their best wins over Yanco for sometime with a 46-10 result. This year’s crop of Red Bend Catholic College footballers is one of the most talented for years and features players of the calibre of NSW Combined Catholic College representatives Jake Grace and Lou Goodwin, NSW Indigenous representative Joe Gunn and Country representative Cameron Miller. The college start against Yanco was a little uncertain but the talented young side soon found their feet. Gunn was the first to cross the line and put Red Bend out to an early lead. The College forward pack began to get on top with Mitch Davis, Jake Grace and Lou Goodwin asserting their dominance. Gunn collected a second try and was joined on the point scorers list by captain Jake Grace with two, Cameron Miller, Mitch Davis, Lou Goodwin, Jake Stenhouse and Cameron Clarke. Nicholas Wilson’s three goals and Ethan William’s two rounded out the 46-10 result. In a difficult assignment, Grace received three best and fairest points, Blake Baxter two and one each went to Toby Evans and Lou Goodwin. The Red Bend will take to the road today to take on Erindale College in Canberra at 2pm. The winner will tackle Holy Cross College from Ryde. |
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| Monday 29 th June 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CRONULLA SHARKS SIGN MORE EELS JUNIORS Sharks sign Rodney Moefaauo & Nathan Gardner as well as Albert Kelly Cronulla Sharks have also signed Para's NSW under 18 prop Rodney Moefaauo for two years, 2010/11. Moefaauo played NSW under 16 in 2008 and NSW under 18 last week as an under 17 player. This must leave Para supporters are left pondering why we are losing our best juniors and the luring of Kelly, Gardner and Moefaauo has left Paramatta officials with red faces and a please explain from supporters. |
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A 16-year-old winger could be one of Jim Kelly’s main strike weapons as the defending premiers press forward after arresting a two-game losing streak when beating Nyngan Tigers 48-16 at Apex Oval yesterday. Eric Fernando - better known as EJ - scored two second half tries alongside his double in under - 18s, and despite his youth, Kelly has given him the stamp of approval for more time in first grade . “He’s only a kid but he plays well above his weight and I’m really excited about having him in first grade,” Kelly said. “He’s a very good listener, has all the skills and can score tries. There’s a lot I like about him and with the injuries that we’ve had with wingers this year, he deserves his chance.” The win could not have come at a better time for the Raiders who after losing in successive weeks to Wellington and Forbes, righted the ship in emphatic fashion yesterday. They scored two tries in the first 15 minutes to lead 10-0 and were never headed. But we’re only at the halfway mark of the season and now Kelly will look ahead to his side’s battle with archrivals Dubbo CYMS next Sunday. After six wins and draw, the Fishies remain unbeaten and yesterday easily accounted for Cobar 38-8 at Tom Knight Memorial Oval. Other winners in round 7 were Wellington over Forbes and Parkes at the expense of Narromine. |
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Story By : BY MIKE GANDON Photo BY : A tremendous defensive effort and the spark of 17-year-old halfback Sam Clune on debut helped Shellharbour to a 24-10 win over Collegians in the Illawarra Carlton League game at WIN Stadium yesterday. With Jamie Dunning, Wes Suckley and Nick Nikitaras leading the way up front, the Sharks were never headed in a game dominated by hard tackling and heavy defence from both sides, which often led to poor ball security and stop-start football. The Sharks, who led 8-4 at half-time, took their opportunities and protected their line with enthusiastic commitment. "We built it around defence today - we started defending and we kept defending the whole game," Shellharbour co-coach Peter Yatras said. "I thought our goal line defence when we were in trouble - the desperation you needed to save a try when it looked certain - was there today, and I think that was the difference. "You know your team's on song when they're saving tries. I was very happy with the defence. "Once again we had a few guys step up. Before the game started I didn't have to say much in the sheds. The boys were all saying it themselves before I even had a chance to talk and they were saying the right things. "I was quietly confident that we would put a good performance on the board today." Collies coach Gavin Clinch said the Dogs' were out-enthused by the Sharks. "They just wanted it more than us," Clinch said. Collies lost centre James Dirou in the sixth minute with a hamstring injury and captain Robbie Payne left the field in the 62nd minute with damage to his left shoulder, putting them in doubt for the match against competition leaders Wests at WIN Stadium next Sunday. A goal to Shellharbour winger Pat Moulton after Collies second-rower Jarrod Dykes was penalised for a high tackle on Clune put the Sharks ahead 2-0 after eight minutes and they stretched that to 8-0 on the half hour with a converted try to second-rower Adam Docker. Collies responded when right winger Ron Kissell leaped and scored in the corner off a Grant Smith kick. Both sides had a player sin-binned - Collies prop Mick Blackwell (23 min) and Sharks forward Matt Cody (36 min). A smart, sharp, converted try to Clune in the 43rd minute stretched the Sharks' lead to 10 points and they made it 20-4 when Dunning forced his way over between the posts in the 52nd minute, then 24-4 with a try to fullback Jamie Manukonga in the 66th minute. A brilliant 70m solo try from the scrum base to Collies five-eighth Ryan Smith, converted by Grant Smith, in the 70th minute added respectability to the score, but it was the Sharks' day. Thirroul winger Warwick Carter scored two tries as the premiers rekindled their finals hopes with a 22-4 win over Corrimal yesterday after leading 6-4 at half-time. Winger Mitchell Bate and lock Aaron Beath also scored tries for the Butchers, fullback Ty McCarthy kicked three goals and winger Adam Jones was the Cougars' lone tryscorer. |
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 A LATE Luke Burt field goal inspired Parramatta to a 21 - 14 NRL victory over Brisbane today, handing the Broncos their fourth straight defeat. With scores locked 14 - 14 at Parramatta Stadium, Burt stepped up to nail a 35m field goal under intense pressure after Broncos skipper Darren Lockyer had earlier slipped during his 35m effort. Eels five-eighth Daniel Mortimer then sealed the result in the 79th minute when he sliced through to score next to the posts to the delight of the 10,030 fans. It was a brilliant win by the Eels, after they led 8 - 4 at half time by producing some razzle dazzle football with tries to Eric Grothe and Joel Reddy. Grothe scored off a sweeping backline play in the 23rd minute, then set up Reddy four minutes later as he brushed off four defenders before giving his centre a 40m run to the tryline. Broncos centre Steve Michaels scored for the visitors in the 33rd minute against the run of play after an error by the Eels early in their tackle count. Eels centre Krisnan Inu scored a 90m intercept try seven minutes after the break when he snatched a Darren Lockyer pass from the air. The Broncos responded with a try to hooker Andrew McCullough before Michaels added his second in the 63rd minute to level scores at 14 - 14. The Eels had three genuine tryscoring opportunities in the final 15 minutes, fullback Jarryd Hayne pulled down by Antonio Winterstein after a 70m break and then by Lockyer four minutes later with the tryline beckoning. Prop Fuifui Moimoi made a bust inside his own half but then refused to pass to an unmarked Mortimer and tried to trample over Karmichael Hunt but was brought to the ground. In the end Moimoi's mistake didn't matter as the Eels claimed their fifth win of the season. They remain in 12th position but are now only three points outside the top eight. It is the fourth straight defeat for the Broncos and has seen Brisbane drop outside the top eight for the first time in 2009. Adding further misery to Brisbane's mid-season slump is a medial ligament knee injury to prop Nick Kenny and ankle complaint for star fullback Karmichael Hunt. Kenny limped from the field early in just the 11th minute after a heavy three-man tackle from Nathan Hindmarsh, Nathan Cayless and Tim Mannah. Hunt sustained an ankle injury after a collision with Mannah in just the third minute, but played out the entire game following a pain-killing injection at half time. |
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| Sunday 28 th June 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DAY ONE ASSRL UNDER 15'S Day one of the ASSRL Under 15's Championships has kicked off with a bang in the first two matches. THe Northern Territory have been steadily improving over the past couple years and it paid off in thier opening match in this years ASSRL Championships. The NT smashed South Australia 70 - nil. It almost looks like the whole team scored in this one sided match. 2006 ASSRL hosts, Western Australia came up against a firey Victorian outfit and could do little but watch the Victorian run away with the game. VIC 40 - 10 WA More soon FULL RESULTS HERE |
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 FIVE weeks ago, the Sharks were a club in crisis and without a hope of luring a player to the Sutherland Shire. But yesterday, Cronulla boasted the signature of the hottest young talent in the game - NSW under-18s halfback Albert Kelly. Underlining just how far the Cronulla club has come in just over a month, Kelly - the cousin of superstar Greg Inglis - ignored interest from Melbourne, Wests Tigers, the Bulldogs, Gold Coast and Parramatta to sign a two-year deal with the Sharks. The massive coup emerged on the back of news that Cronulla had also signed Wests Tigers hooker John Morris for two seasons while also extending in-form halfback Scott Porter's contract until 2011. Despite the persuasive powers of Inglis and NSW coach Craig Bellamy, who met and spoke to Kelly on several occasions, the exciting talent opted instead to link with former Test coach Ricky Stuart. Kelly also played Australian Schoolboys with Sharks centre Matt Wright, which was another major lure for the Eels youngster. "He's a very bright young talent who will add to the youth and the culturewe are building at the club, which Ibelieve has taken massive steps this year,'' Stuart said. "Albert's attacking flair is what's needed in today's game and I'm sure it will be a great bonus for us.'' Kelly, 18, will add depth to the Sharks halves while he's also considered the future replacement for when five-eighth Trent Barrett retires at the end of next season. Interestingly, Kelly grew up in Bowraville, where he mimicked his idol Barrett in the backyard alongside Inglis. It's also believed Kelly was taken by Stuart's youth policy, which has proven the catalyst to the club's form reversal. Kelly was instrumental in NSW's 24 - 6 win over the under-18 Maroons last Wednesday night, while he also famously entered the history books last month by scoring a try in the NSW Cup after just eight seconds. |
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| Saturday 27 th June 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WHILE the NSW State of Origin team slumped to a disappointing 24-14 loss to Queensland on Wednesday night the victory of the NSW under-18s showed that the Maroons’ dominance of interstate rugby league only goes so far. Ocean Shores’ Sam Martin played strongly in the young Blues’ 24-6 victory over the Maroons, the curtain-raiser to the Origin encounter. The big Melbourne Storm under-20s and under-18s representative had a strong game including having a hand in two of NSWs’ tries despite starting from the bench. Sam’s proud father Todd was on hand to watch him run out onto ANZ Stadium along with Sam’s brothers, Ben and Joel. “It was pretty emotional to see him run out in the sky blue of NSW,” Todd said. “He got a lot of game time, something like 55 minutes out of 70. I’m his toughest judge and I thought he had a good game. “He got away an offload to Hopoate who made a break which NSW scored off the next play and then he made a 20 to 25 metre break and was pulled down but NSW scored off the next play. “He played in the middle four at prop and I thought he tackled very well, as well.” Todd said by the time the match finished there would have been 50,000 spectators watching the age group Origin. “After the win the boys got to do a victory lap,” he said. “We spoke to him after the game and Sam said he was pretty nervous and when he came on he missed his first tackle because he said his legs were like jelly. “It was fantastic to be down there and watch him go around.” Martin has flown under the radar for a number of years never making any big representative teams aside from Group 18 and Northern Rivers junior sides. However, he was picked up by the Melbourne Storm after starring in a school carnival and starting for Mullumbimby in first grade last year despite being eligible for the under-18s. This season Martin, a 1.8m 95kg backrower, and his SG Ball (under-18s) side finished runners-up to Canterbury in their inaugural season in the Sydney competition. “Sam has worked hard for everything he’s got. He always used to be up at 5am to do his extras,” Todd said. Sam gets his love of league from his father who played lower grades with South Sydney before moving north and playing with Mullumbimby for five years. Todd then turned his hand to coaching and he is part of the coaching team running the Tweed Seagulls under-20s side that boast a number of local players linked with the Gold Coast Titans under-20s. |
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 RUGBY league Immortal Arthur Beetson says Sydney Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce will become one of the greats of the game in a few years' time. The part-time Roosters assistant coach says Pearce has the potential to really flourish in the next couple of years and believes playing the rest of the season without injured skipper Braith Anasta by his side will help fast-track the 20-year-old's development. "Mitchell Pearce, three years down the track will be right up there with those great names in the game," Beetson told the Sydney Roosters website. "I hate putting things on people like that but he will be able to lead the team around and again it will be a great learning experience for him and others (to play without Anasta)." The Roosters sit a distant last place on the NRL table ahead of today's must-win clash with Cronulla at the SFS. The Tricolours have lost six successive games since beating the Sharks 19-12 on May 2, while the Sharks have ridden a four-game winning streak up to 14th place on the table. Beetson says today's clash is the club's most important since he arrived at Bondi Junction to help coach Brad Fittler three weeks ago. "I'm not going to predict the result but they are just as desperate as we are, the only difference is they have won a few in a row and we have lost a few," he said. "It's the most important game since I've been here because we have made great improvement and we need that win." Meanwhile, Pearce says the club is determined to fight its way back off the foot of the table, and the young brigade are prepared to dig their heels in and fight. |
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MACKAY'S Pat O'Hanlon played through the pain in Queensland under 18's loss to the Blues on State of Origin night at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday. O'Hanlon, who is playing Toyota Cup with the Parramatta Eels, will undergo a shoulder reconstruction next Wednesday which will force him to miss the rest of the season. But he ignored the pain to link with another former Mackay player, Dane Gagai, as Queensland went down 24-6 to the young NSW outfit. “It was a tough game,” O'Hanlon said, after NSW took a 10-6 lead to halftime and then ground out the win. “We just never got the ball in the second half.” O'Hanlon, pictured, said he was happy with his game, and said Gagai, who plays Toyota Cup with the Broncos, also had a strong match. NSW centre Josh Portlock crossed for two tries and five-eighth Albert Kelly played a starring role for the Blues. O'Hanlon said the Eels had decided to send him for the reconstruction now rather than wait out the season. “I've had it for a while,” he said. “I'll miss the rest of the season but I'll be back in time before the season comes around next year. “Hopefully I'll have a good off-season and come back refreshed. “I'll be looking for more of a leadership role in the Toyota Cup.” O'Hanlon recently re-signed with Parramatta until 2011 and is undertaking a Bachelor of Arts degree at university. |
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 Magnus Stromquist of Hornsby has just completed the biggest week of his sporting life. The 18-year-old, nicknamed “The Viking”, represented NSW as it defeated Queensland in the under-18 State of Origin match - the curtain-raiser to the main event - at Homebush Bay last night. Last week he was called up by Manly for their Toyota Cup under-20 squad. And a few days before that, he was named Manly’s S.G. Ball (under-18) player of the year - and the Manly club’s junior player of the year. When the Advocate caught up with the budding prop forward this week, he had taken it all in his exceptionally large stride. “It’s a very exciting time for me right now, definitely,” Stromquist said. “I’m just enjoying be surrounded by the best of the best here in the NSW camp. We’ve got all the NSW staff, the coaches, the medical staff - it’s awesome.” Stromquist was a late addition to the NSW squad after he was cleared to join the Toyota Cup squad last weekend by Manly medicos. A knee injury he sustained in the quarter-final of the S.G. Ball competition against North Queensland this month had threatened to keep him out of the state squad. “I got called up to Toyota Cup which was a huge step up from S.G. Ball, and from there I got a call to head into camp with the Blues,” he said. Stromquist, who was also picked in the honourary S.G. Ball Team of 2009, said it was his rugby league die-hard parents who had convinced him to give the sport a try. “I was a soccer player growing up and then, bit by bit, I just sort of came across to league. We’re a big rugby league family,” said the Asquith Magpies product. Stromquist said his plan for the remainder of 2009 was to finish his year 12 studies at Narrabeen Sports High and try and nail down an apprenticeship. “And of course footy, there’s a lot of training to still be done,” he said. |
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 NRL destiny awaits talented Coffs Coast junior league player Jedd Mitchell. Jedd, who attends Repton Primary School, was appointed captian of the North Coast PSSA Under 11 Junior Rugby LeagueTeam which particpated in the NSW PSSA Rugby League carnival held recently at Parkes. Jedd led the team with distinction, making plenty of hard hitting tackles, one in particular brought the crowd to its feet, causing dad to loose his voice when cheering too loudly, and made plenty of metres when running the footy. The North Coast side finished a creditable sixth out of twelve teams, holding their own against the city teams. As captain, Jedd was required to represent the team at a civic function held in Parkes in recognition of the rugby league carnival. Jedd plays league locally with the all conquering Sawtell Junior Rugby League U11 team, supports the West Tigers in the NRL and lists Benji Marshall and Greg Inglis as his favourite NRL players. Following your sporting dreams doesn't come cheap and Jedd would like to thank "Go Bello Go" for there on going support over the years. |
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 30 YEARS of NSW CCC SCHOOLBOYS RUGBY LEAGUE BOOK LAUNCH The NSW CCC have launched a brand new book. 30 years of NSW CCC Rugby League. Its a fantastic book filled with great stories & photos of the history of the NSW CCC rugby league system. This book is available for sale at the bargain price of only $20.00, if you would like a copy, contact us and we can point you in the right direction. | LeaRN MoRe | ORDER NOW |
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