SPORTSNEWS

with Chris Karas

Tigers still in mix for Club pennant

UTS-BALMAIN Cricket Club remain in the hunt for a coveted Club Championship pennant after registering important wins over University of NSW in the Sydney grade competition last weekend.

While the Tigers’ first grade outfit languishes in 16th place, the Balmain lower grade teams continued their march towards minor premiership titles.

Victories over University last Saturday has helped the Tigers’ second, third and fourth grade teams consolidate top spot in their respective competitions while Jon Orme’s fifth graders collected outright points to move into seventh position.

Balmain are currently third in the Club Championship race on 1,102 points behind leaders St George (1,133) and second placed Penrith (1,123).

Teenage titan Sam Robson carved out an impressive century to steer University to a first innings win over the Tigers at Drummoyne Oval.

17 year old Robson scored 102 off 128 balls including 18 boundaries while State rep Dan Christian hit 52 as University (6 dec 266) eclipsed the Tigers total of 185 to claim the points.

Balmain finished 5-231 in their second innings with boom colt Tim Sparke (106) notching his third ton of the summer off 108 balls.

Sparke’s century featured 17 boundaries and a six and he shared a third wicket stand of 100 with Karl Whatham (33).

Manjot Singh (33), Craig Hankinson (26) and Jarrod Gordon (16 not out) also contributed with the bat while swing merchant Nathan Ball picked up 5-85 off 17 overs.

SECONDS: UTS-Balmain 224 (Richard Colbran 63, Gregg Everest 44) d University of NSW 173 (Luke Donovan 4-51, R Colbran 2-29); THIRDS: UTS-Balmain 4 dec 158 (Andrew Watkins 66, S Pararajasingh 31no) d University of NSW 101 (V Doddala 3-3, Anthony Lown 3-17, Gus Moncrieff 2-28) & 5-245 (V Doddala 2-55); FOURTHS: UTS-Balmain 4-292 (Daniel Jacob 101no, J Quareshi 93, Tim Smith 45no) d University of NSW 273 (James Pryde 7-84); FIFTHS: UTS-Balmain 158 (A Downie 35, N Breen 35) & 7 dec 92 (A Downie 28) d University of NSW 59 (Phil Caruso 6-31, S King 3-16) & 98 (P Kariawatim 4-17, R Peiris 3-22) outright.

POIDEVIN-GRAY SHIELD: Sutherland 6-262 (M Singh 3-35, Joe Denly 2-60) d UTS-Balmain 250 (J Denly 85, N Bull 36).

Juniors a big hit at SCG Test

CONCORD RSL Junior Cricket Club’s Milo Have a Go Centre were chosen to perform the lunch time entertainment during the third day of the fifth Ashes Test between Australia and England at the Sydney Cricket Ground earlier this month.

Twenty two Concord junior cricketers participated in a game of Diamond Cricket (a modified Milo game that enables kids to be involved at the one time) in front of a crowd of 41,000 while their parents proudly watched from the sideline - courtesy of Cricket Australia.

Jeffrey Burt and Luke Gilder hit a few sixes into the crowd before the kids completed a lap of honour, even managing to ‘high five’ the Barmy Army!

Pictured with Concord RSL Junior Cricket secretary Anne Burt are players Aydin Bremner, Ben Young, Jessica McKee, Luke Gilder,Shenay Bremner, Brittney Beynon, Blaise McKee, Emma Wood, Jeremy Wedd, Matthew Friskie, Kaya Bremner and Cameron Sue.

Other Concord juniors who were involved on the day included Patrick Hewgill, William Hewgill, Jade Brooks, Mathew Maronese, Julian Ellul, Shae Beynon, Natasha Wood, Jeffrey Burt, Chanel Beynon and Sarah Burt.

Due to the amount of girls wanting to play cricket, the Concord RSL Junior Cricket Club have entered an All Girls team for the first time in the North Shore competition that commences this Saturday (February 3).

Hot shot Hogg hammers 157

GLADESVILLE RSL hot shot Tim Hogg let his bat do the talking when he clobbered a magnificent 157 against Five Dock RSL in a Gladesville Cricket Association B Grade one-day fixture at Gannan Park.

Hogg smashed four sixes and 24 boundaries in his whirlwind century and shared a third wicket partnership of 142 with Andrew Kennedy (94) and fourth wicket union of 118 with Warren Dunn (41 not out) as the Gladesville boys amassed a healthy score of 4-342.

Mark McRae rubbed salt in the Five Dock wounds when he captured 5-22 in a stunning eight over spell to set up a comprehensive win.

BREAKFAST Point Cricket Club continued their mid-season surge in the Gladesville Cricket Association A Grade competition last Saturday with an emphatic 197 run victory over premiers Wanderers at Morrison Park No 5.

Paceman Michael Josling mastered the blustery conditions to snare 6-16 and rout the depleted Wanderers lineup for 46 in their run chase of 244.

Earlier, the stylish Greg Campbell (90) and prodigious Jeremy Turvey (94) put on a team-record 180 run partnership for the fourth wicket off just 139 balls. Campbell’s elegant cover drives were punctuated by Turvey’s glorious pull shots and both players eventually fell in the final overs selflessly chasing quicker runs.

In-form Peter Curran smashed a brilliant century for Ryde-Hunters Hill No 2 and Ben Delgiorgio (80) in their big win over the Pirates No 1 side.

Curran scored 126 and shared an opening stand of 166 with Gladesville Junior Cricket supremo Roy Maggio (48).

Other players to impress were Silent Warriors opener Gary Thomson (91 not out & 66); Mark Louis (87 not out), Anthony Bocca (80), Pat Walker (63), Alex Martin (62), Ryan Yule (58), Luke McColl (56 not out), Ratish Jassra (56), Danny Fowler (55), Brendan Gill (53 & 3-26) and Con Maniakas (49 & 4-23).

A GRADE: (Round 11) Gladesville RSL White 4-194 (M Quinane 47, G Apostolides 46, D Intili 43, P Bradley 25, L McNiven 17no, D McKay 16no) d Wanderers 189 (L McNiven 3-30, D McKay 3-50, C Norton 2-21, M Corcoran 1-29); Round 12: Holy Cross 5-177 (L McColl 56no, S Disch 49, M Story 36, V Bhan 2-18, D Gemmola 1-15, M Ghani 1-22, S Damineni 1-44) d Sydney Windies 169 (R Jassra 56, K Pathinather 27, A Learmonth 22, D Gemmola 12, M Ghani 11, S Spackman 3-20, L McColl 2-34, M Cleary 2-45,T Story 1-18); Breakfast Point Palace 5-243 (J Turvey 94, G Campbell 90, T Reider 18, D Brekkan 12, D Howe 2-24, J Bateman 1-25, S Webb 1-43, T McWhirter 1-54) d Wanderers 46 (A Goodrick 19, B Slade 18, M Josling 6-16, T Bain 1-26).

B GRADE: (Round 12) Silent Warriors 233 (G Thomson 66, P Walker 63, D Rowe 35, C Ashenden 17, C Maniakas 4-23, H Ready 3-13, N Schubert 1-21, A Bocca 1-39, N Yule 1-56) d Bayview Tavern 159 (R Yule 58, J Playle 30, N Yule 17no, A Bocca 16, C Maniakas 15, J Bergin 3-40, A Colquhoun 2-21, C Ashenden 1-5, D Rowe 1-16, M Hayman 1-27); Indefatigables 2-184 (E O’Reilly 2-43) d Gladesville RSL Gold 176 (T Hogg 34, A Calavrias 34, A Kennedy 23, G Jones 18, W Dunn 16, M Chochula 11, M Calavrias 11, T Tamana 10); Round 13: Gladesville RSL Gold 4-342 (Tim Hogg 157, A Kennedy 94, W Dunn 41no, A Calavrias 19) d Five Dock RSL 82 (Mark McRae 5-22, E O’Reilly 2-6, M Calavrias 1-7, C Dreverman 1-12, T Hogg 1-29); Indefatigables 5-216 (M Louis 87no, D Fowler 55, S Bhat 29, M Hart 17no, A Bocca 2-46, H Ready 1-32, R Yule 1-38) d Bayview Tavern 215 (A Bocca 80, C Maniakas 49, R Yule 30, R Francis 20no, N Yule 19, A Justice 3-29, S Bhat 2-49, A Brown 1-10, S Lindsay 1-45, J Durnall 1-62); Silent Warriors 7-148 (G Thomson 91no, M Hayman 17, D Rowe 11, C Jones 2-30, M Green 2-36, C Sewell 2-39, T Austin 1-23) d Gladesville RSL Green 146 (C Jones 37, C Sewell 27, D Hunt 20, M Austin 14, M Mason 12, P Welch 3-44, M Hayman 2-23, D Rowe 1-2, A Colquhoun 1-22, S Pichowski 1-33).

C GRADE: (Round 13) Ryde-Hunters Hill (2) 7-325 (P Curran 126, B Delgeorgio 80, R Maggio 48, B Fuge 35, M Gupta 2-70, J Rae 1-27, G Lanbridge 1-60) d Ryde-Hunters Hill (1) 186 (A Martin 62, D John 41, S Auburn 31, Sandeep 3-9, G Patterson 1-1, B Delgeorgio 1-18, B Fuge 1-25, D Humphries 1-35); Palace Hotel 5-161 (B Gill 53, D Devine 39no, G Metcalfe 27no, R Caldwell 14, A Intili 3-17, M Vidmar 1-15, M Falzon 1-32) d Gladesville Indoor 149 (B Cottam 39no, M Dornan 35, A Do 21, M Falzon 11, D Jovanovich 10, R Bush 4-21, B Gill 3-26, P Stride 2-38); Balmain 5-133 (M Hanna 3-29, J Rose 2-40) d Lane Cove Dream Team 128 (D Richardson 38, C Hanna 23, M Hanna 19, D Parmer 13).

Dempsey cracks 1000 run barrier

NORTH Ryde RSL super bat Bryan Dempsey has reached yet another cricket milestone in what is shaping as a golden 2006-07 summer.

The prolific-scoring Dempsey has become the first North Ryde RSL player in the Club’s proud 34 year history to chalk up 1,000 runs in a season.

He achieved the feat last Saturday at Brush Farm Park when he clouted an unbeaten 85 in North Ryde RSL Blue’s resounding win over Vikings in the Northern District Cricket Association fifth grade competition.

Dempsey,43, combined with talented 17 year old junior product Andy Flawith (73 not out) in an unbroken opening stand of 163 to pilot the Blues to a decisive ten wicket victory.

It followed his epic stand of 152 with Flawith against Epping White last round - a match that saw Dempsey compile an unbeaten 201 and smash North Ryde’s club aggregate record of 843 runs previously held by James Lovell.

Dempsey - with five centuries already under his belt - has now amassed 1,003 runs and is determined to help the Blues claim a premiership flag.

FIRSTS: (Round 12) North Ryde RSL 135 (John Mathie 37, Luke Macnab 23, Waqar Malik 20) d The Ranch 129 (Matt Roberts 3-8, L Macnab 2-26, Matt Waygood 2-35); SECONDS: Epping YMCA 6-151 (Corey Donnell 3-35, Scott Martin 1-20) d North Ryde RSL 145 (Arthur Prentzas 33, Andrew Adams 31); FOURTHS: Rydalmere 5-193 (Lee McAlister-Smiley 2-28, James Shannon 1-38) d North Ryde RSL 8-148 (Jason Reay 40, Luke McGuinn 54); FIFTHS: North Ryde RSL Blue 0-163 (Bryan Dempsey 85no, Andy Flawith 73no) d Vikings 162 (B Dempsey 3-5, Brendan Sawyer 3-26, Keith Shannon 2-13);North Ryde RSL Gold 4-113 (Prashant Murthy 72no, Brendon Boucher 28no) d West Ryde White 110 (Mike Vasavada 2-17, Maria Harrison 2-23).

Tiger maidens savour Breakers trophy win

IT was a bittersweet experience for UTS-Balmain stars Julie Hayes and Michelle Goszko last Sunday after helping the NSW Breakers clinch a ninth National Womens Cricket League title in Melbourne.

The talented duo were joined by Tigers’ club mates Leonie Coleman, Nicole Goodwin and Rene Farrell in a powerful NSW line up that defeated Victoria Spirit 2-1 in a gripping finals series at Central Reserve in Glen Waverley.

But celebrations were tempered for both Hayes and Goszko when they missed selection in the Australian womens cricket team for the four-nation one-day tournament starting in India next month.

21 year old South Australian medium pace bowler Emma Sampson - who took 10 wickets at an average of 24.10 in the WNCL - replaces the experienced Hayes in the 14-player national squad while Goszko makes way for Breakers’ team-mate Alex Blackwell.

Superb half centuries by skipper Lisa Sthalekar (83) and Kate Blackwell (57 not out) steered NSW to a thrilling three wicket win in the trophy decider.

Chasing a target of 206, the Breakers were cruising a 2-167 in the 41st over before Cathryn Fitzpatrick and Clea Smith triggered a mini-collapse of 5-20 within 23 balls to give the Spirit a scent of victory.

But a gritty Blackwell kept the Victorian attack at bay to guide NSW to a ninth title in 11 seasons.

Sthalekar, the Australian vice captain, showed her class to score 83 from 98 deliveries and her 115-run partnership with Blackwell paved the way for a memorable triumph.

Wyvern toss Hunters

A DEPLETED Hunters Hill cricket team found the going tough on the Australia Day weekend - crashing to a five wicket loss to Wyvern in the Suburban Cricket competition.

The Hunters won the toss and elected to bat and after a shaky start when they were reeling at 2 for 3 it was opening bat Andy Hobden who steadied the ship with a stoic knock of 26.

Hobden shared a third wicket partnership of 43 with Paul “Jana” Wendt (36) who also partnered Sean Rewell for another 44 runs before succumbing.

Rewell top scored for the Hunters with an unbeaten 39.

Unfortunately, the previous day’s festivities were taking a toll on the Hunters who were only able to field a team of nine due to two late withdrawals. Wyvern were able to reach their target of 131 for the loss of five wickets. Hobden claimed 2-17 with controlled spin bowling while Stewart Kibber collected 1-22 off six overs.

Ryde Eastwood Touch Football

FIRST DIVISION:
Holy Cross Old Boys 6 West Ryde Trophies 2; Vikings 7 Attractive Blinds 0; Cactus Imaging 2 NRMA 0; Blues (bye); Holy Cross 4 Cactus Imaging 2; Blues 7 NRMA 2; Vikings 3 West Ryde Trophies 0; Attractive Blinds (bye).

SECOND DIVISION:
Ken Morrow 4 Annandale Transport 1; Polo Smash 10 Fading Force 6; Nothin Over 12 5 Ray White 2; Putney Pirates 6 Is this Golf 1; Raven Electrical 4 First National 2; Balmain Leagues 3 Tiger Cubs 2; Zibara Painting (bye); Ken Morrow 10 Zibara Painting 2; Nothin Over 12 2 Putney Pirates 0; Raven Electrical 11 Is this Golf 3; Fading Force 11 Tiger Cubs 4; Annandale Transport 4 Ray White 3; First National 6 Balmain Leagues 3; Polo Smash (bye).

THIRD DIVISION:
Bears 2 Polo Smash 1; Ross Patten 4 Rucola 2; Palmer’s Glass 5 Fosters 2; Moonies 7 Crimmo’s Crew 3; Boronia Park 3 Nads 2; Hombres (bye); Ross Patten 4 Bears 3; Boronia Park 5 Rucola 3; Moonies 1 Fosters 1; Crimmo’s Crew 5 Hombres 3; Palmer’s Glass 4 Nads 2; Polo Smash (bye).

MIXED:
Page 96 6 Any 1 Havaball 3; Customs Carpentry 6 Ken Morrow 4; Ray White 7 The Edge 4; Cowboys 6 Wildcats 5; Touchdowns 9 Risky Business 2; The Other Mob 7 Fighting Hens 0; Dupay (bye); The Other Mob 12 Cowboys 1; Ken Morrow 5 Dupay 3; Page 96 6 The Edge 2; Any 1 Havaball 8 Wildcats 4; Touchdowns 6 Custom Carpentry 5; Ray White 8 Risky Business 4; Fighting Hens (bye).

JUNIORS:
U/8: Gold 6 Emerald 0; Red 7 Royal 0; Azure v Orange (not played); Emerald 3 Royal 2; Gold 8 Azure 0; Orange 8 Red 3; U/10: Emerald 1 Turquoise 1; Royal 4 Red 2; Aqua 1 Yellow 0; Orange 4 Ice 0; Azure 7 Gold 0; Royal 5 Aqua 2; Red 4 Emerald 0; Turquoise 2 Azure 1; Yellow 2 Orange 0; Gold 6 Ice 2; U/12A: Ice 5 Emerald 0; Aqua A 7 Yellow 0; Red 7 Aqua B 0; Gold 7 Royal 0; Aqua A 7 Yellow 2; Aqua B 9 Red 1; Ice 9 Emerald 1; Gold 9 Royal 0; U/12B: Turquoise 7 Emerald 0; Orange 4 Yellow 1; Red 2 Azure 0; Gold 2 Pink 2; Red 3 Azure 0; Pink 5 Gold 2; Orange 2 Yellow 2; Emerald 4 Turquoise 0; U/14: Pink 7 Gold 0; Yellow 2 Azure 1; Emerald 5 Turquoise 2; Orange 7 Red 0; Azure 4 Yellow 3; Orange 4 Red 2; Emerald 3 Turquoise 1; Pink 6 Gold 2.

Hillies primed for success

SEASON 2007 is fast approaching and after a successful 2006, this season is sure to be an even bigger one for the Hunters Hill Rugby Union Football Club.

The off season saw the Club hard at work completing much needed upgrades to Boronia Park.

Work included re-turfing Ovals No 1 and No 2; installation of an irrigation system to water the ovals and most importantly a sunken bore creating a self-sufficient watering system within the park.

But the hard work will not end there. A master plan has been created that will see upgrades to the netball courts, improved cricket facilities, athletics tracks and No. 3 Oval extended to a full size oval for both junior soccer and rugby.

Officials envisage that the Club will eventually have some of the best facilities available to suburban rugby.

Prior to these upgrades, the Club has over the past four years been able to completely light both ovals to playing standard; resurface and extend the car park and renovate the canteen. All initiatives have been done as joint ventures with Hunters Hill Council and the Club’s tireless volunteers.

“There’s been a lot of sausage sizzles and raffle tickets sold over the years to raise the money as well as generous assistance from the community - particularly the Gladesville Hotel who donated 28 Stadium floodlights for the ovals and last year arranged footballs to be handed out to all 400 junior players” said treasurer Michael Wunsch.

Hunters Hill Rugby President Rod Salmon said: “Hunters Hill Council have been most helpful in allowing the Rugby Club to improve the community facilities for all to use - they have contributed to the project and without them the work would never have been possible.”

Boyle First National Real Estate will once again be the Club’s major sponsor for season 2007. Proprietors Sharon and Doug Vincent have been involved with the Junior Club since its rebirth eight years ago and continue to be loyal supporters of the Club.

“We love the sense of community spirit and involvement at Hunters Hill Rugby Union Club” said Sharon Boyle.

“Everybody is so friendly and supportive and we hope to be involved for many years to come.”

Season 2007 will see an exiting addition to the Junior Grade competition with an U/18 Division to be included. The Hillies will enter a team comprising of athletes ranging in age from 16 to 18 years.

Local coaching icon Mal Fraser has been named Head Coach and will be assisted by Bruce Lycett. This successful coaching duo have won three premierships in as many seasons and with their creative brand of coaching were the obvious choices for the roles this year.

Registration days for all junior grades - Under 6s to Under 18s - will be held at Boronia Park this Saturday February 3 and February 10 from 11am to 1pm.

All new and existing members are welcome to attend in the lead up to the season which kicks off in March. All new registrations will receive a free gift upon registering.

For further details check out the website: www.huntershillrugby.org.

Contact Leeann in the office 9684 6666; Rod 0418 444 443 or Kevin 0423 768 873.

Wanderers seek A Grade players

LEICHHARDT Wan-derers Junior Rugby League Club - the oldest club in the Balmain Junior League - hope to field an A Grade side in the 2007 competition.

Former Balmain and Ryde-Eastwood forward David Wright and ex-Eastern Suburbs utility Grant Wheelhouse are keen to hear from prospective players interested in turning out for the ‘red and blacks.’

They have organised a ‘Meet & Greet’ tomorrow (Thursday) February 1 at Blackmore Oval, Canal Road, Leichhardt at 6.30pm to discuss the possibility of forming a squad.

Local sporting personality and ex-Tigers five eighth Mick Campbell has been approached to coach the team.

Names bandied around as potential recruits include former Wanderers and South Sydney fullback Craig Carrington, dashing centres Tim White and Peter Clarke, bruising forwards David and Luke Wright, sharp utility back David Mara, wily hooker Rhys Provan, utility Lee Stapleton, the teak-tough Wheelhouse and former Balmain junior reps Matt Olsen and Troy Guyatt.

The Wanderers were formed in 1918 and have proved a thriving nursery for the Balmain Tigers Football Club ever since. For further details contact David Wright 0421 469 445 or Grant Wheelhouse 0414 618 642.

Robbie New Origin Star!

ROBBIE FARAH is keen to get his hands on the NRL Trophy again this year. TWT on-the-spot PHOTO.

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