with Chris Karas
Tigers’ workhorse ready for Origin
THEY don’t breed them tougher or stronger than Wests Tigers’ workhorse forward Chris Heighington (pictured) in the NRL premiership.
On the eve of this year’s State of Origin series, the industrious Heighington was a candidate for a NSW back row spot following strong performances for the Tigers and Country teams in recent weeks.
Heighington put himself in the Origin mix with a big game for Country in their 22-all draw with City recently at WIN Stadium and is sure to come into calculations during the 2008 series.
The rugged back rower - who has won the Tigers’ defensive award for the past two years - is one of the competition’s big improvers and the club’s most consistent forward this season.
Now in his sixth year with the Tigers, Heighington is firmly established in Tim Sheens’ first grade outfit and has already fielded offers from rival clubs.
Club officials are confident of re-signing the 26 year old forward who comes off contract at the end of this current season. Heighington played his junior football with the Umina Bunnies in the Central Coast Rugby League before trialling with the Balmain club and making an impression in the Premier League competition.
It has taken the powerfully built second rower a few years to consolidate a top grade spot but with 94 matches under his belt is now considered one of the Tigers’ senior forwards.
A mature Heighington - who helped the Tigers win a memorable premiership in 2005 - believes he can handle the step up in class to Origin if given the opportunity.
MEANWHILE Wests Tigers will rush star hooker Robbie Farah and five eighth Benji Marshall into the side for Sunday’s clash with Newcastle at EnergyAustralia Stadium - subject to passing fitness tests.
Coming off a bye, the Tigers are desperate to have their chief playmakers back in action for the vital match against the Knights.
Barefoot Bowls at Putney
WITH the fine autumn weather upon us why not get outdoors and enjoy a fun afternoon at Putney-Tennyson Bowling & Community Club in Frances Road Putney.
Barefoot Bowls commences this Sunday May 18 up at “The Fountain” and will be held on the third Sunday of each month.
Cost is $10 a game and includes bowls and roast roll with music as you bowl and prizes to be won. Register at the club at 1pm for 1.30pm start. Come along with a group of friends or family or turn up on your own. Learners are most welcome. After bowls you can relax in a friendly club atmosphere by enjoying a social drink or watching the football on the big screen.
Why not let the Club’s restaurant tempt you with a choice of Chinese, Thai and Australian meals including the delicious Sunday roast. Phone the club for inquiries on 9807-4964.
Ravens Soccer
U/6A Red: Ravens 8 (Luke Saleh 4, Zac Lenzo 2, Calvin Drury 2) Saints United 2; Koala: Ravens Yellow 10 (Tom Lockie 5, Anthony Pellegrini 3, Callum Harsas 2) Ryde 3; U/8 Orange: Ravens 5 (Sepehr Shafazand 2, Adrian Poropat, Will Maniatis, Peter Maniati) Gladesville Sharks 0; Blue: North Ryde 2 Ravens 0.
Sirro v Kenny Sports Luncheon
LEAGUE greats Brett Kenny and Paul Sironen will be guest speakers at a 100 Years of Rugby League Sportsmens luncheon on Friday June 13 at Drummoyne Sports Club, 2 Hythe Street, Drummoyne from 12 noon.
Come along and hear Tigers legend Sironen and former Parramatta ace Kenny discuss the footballing heroes and classic moments of yesteryear in the code’s Centenary season. Tickets $65 per head or $600 for table of ten includes two course lunch; four hour beverage; lucky door prizes and more. Inquiries 9181 1687.
Ryde Hockey
WOMEN: Firsts: Esquires 1 Ryde 0; Seconds: Wentworthville 4 Ryde 1 (Kelly Hart); Fifths: Northern District 4 Ryde 0; Sixth: Ryde 3 (Carol Raferty 2, Louise Jedovnick); MEN: Firsts: Ryde 6 (Brent Wilsmore 2, Alex Jones 2, Duncan Pearce, Sean Dobbins) Bankstown 4; Seconds: Ryde 4 (Cameron Brown 2, Duncan Brown, Jon Collinge) Bankstown 4; Thirds: Ryde 5 Uni NSW 1; Fourths: Uni NSW 8 Ryde 1; Fifths: Ryde 4 (Adam Bussell 2, Alister Oakes, Amauri Amat) Uni NSW 0; Sixth: Ryde 11 (Brad Parkes 4, Adam Shields 2, Mark Eggers 2, David Moore, Ken Campbell, James Abaniel) Uni NSW 0; 7th: Ryde 3 St George-Randwick 3; 8th: Ryde 2 St George-Randwick 1; 9th: Sydney Uni 1 Ryde 0; 17A: Ryde 2 Moorebank 0; 17B: Ryde 4 Norwest 0.
ERNA Netball
Holmans RetraVision ERNA Netball: 10/1: D.Utd d StG 10-4;NRYC d D.Utd 8-3;NRYC d WRR 11-9;10/2: MDS d OLQP 8-11;NRSp d C.Flm 5-2;D.Cen d WRR 10-5;10/3: Villa 4 d C.Flm 10-1;RRSLR d NRSp 12-2;WRR d D.Cen 8-2;10/4: D.Utd d G.Rav 4-3;Villa d St.K 7-3;M.BB d RRSLR 9-3;11/1: D.Cen dr WRR 12-12;NRS d StG 20-16;C.Flm d Alex 15-6;11/2: NRS d MBB 17-7;G.Rav d RRSLR 17-8;WRR d RRSLR 16-3;D.Utd d NRRSL 17-16;11/3: OLQP d NRS 16-7;NRRSL d G.Rav 21-8;G.Rav d C.Flm 16-10;RRSL d OLQP 26-3;11/4: NRS d S.Sab 11-6;YMCA d StKev 11-8;Vlla d NRRSL 16-3;12/1: NRS d StG 24-14;C.Flm dr NRRSL 13-13;C.Flm d S.Sab 23-17;12/2: D.Cen d MBB 22-9;NRRSL dr WRR 13-13;OLQP W NRRSL F;D.Utd d NRS 33-15;12/3: G.Rav d RLdy 13-9;Vlla d StG 13-9;Vlla d WRR 25-9;RRSL d CFlm 17-4 12/4: OLMC d MBB 21-11;R.Ldy d S.Sab 5-2;S.Sab d StKev 11-7;Alex d NRS 19-8;13/1: S.Sab d WRR 24-11;NRRSL9 d NRRSL8 25-23;NRRSL d D.Utd 31-21;RRSL d D.Cen 27-22;13/2: D.Utd d G.Rav 26-9;NRRSL d WRR 19-10;WRR d RRSL 10-8;YMCA d R.Ldy 20-16;13/3: C.Flm d S.Sab 22-9;S.Sab d WWich 21-0;OLMC d WWich 20-10;MBB d YMCA 14-13;14/1: WWR d C.Flm 25-17;NRRSL d Rldy 27-19;NRRSL d D.Cen 58-15;WRR d WWich 28-22;14/2: NRRSL d WRR 25-16;S.Sab d EEgls 26-15;S.Sab d C.Flm 35-2;D.Utd d G.Rav 33-9;14/3: S.Sab d WWich 21-7;WWich d OLMC 28-25;OLMC d C.Flm 13-11;MBB d S.Sab 15-9;15/1: C.Flm d D.Utd 32-31;D.Cen d St.G 39-16;WRR d S.Sab 41-22;15/2: D.Utd d OLMC 45-10;RRSLR d NRYC 49-18;OLMC d NRYC 32-19;Erm d S.Sab 27-19;15/3: S.Sab d YMCA 27-4;YMCA d Wool 44-10;OLMC d S.Sab 43-11;CDT 1: C.Flm d WRR 45-14;Alex W G.Rav F;D.Utd d S.Sab 45-30;WRR d OLMC 65-19;CDT 2: WRR d St.K 28-21;R.Lad d Wool 34-28;WRR d D.Utd 23-21;Wool d Alex 30-28;CDT 3: C.Flm d RRSLR 39-22;E.Egls d YMCA 40-27;WWich d G.Rav 33-20;NRRSL d S.Sab 44-22 CDT 4:YMCA d WRR 32-21;WRR d G.rav 46-24;MBB d S.Sab 45-10;D.Utd d S.Sab 32-25; A1: G.Rav d WRR 45-32; YMCA d D.Utd 36-27;WRR d C.Flm 40-39; NRS d WWich 35-25; A2: S.Sab d C.Flm 41-36;C.Flm d WRR 41-38;WRR d NRRSL 41-35;ER&N d Alex 34-19; B1: WRR d StG 54-48;OLMC d S.Sab 42-26;G.Rav d WWich 31-29;WRR d YMCA 39-37; B2: WRR d Alex 37-29;C.Flm d NRRSL 46-29;NRS d MDS 53-40;WWich d ER&N 63-47; B3: NRS dr D.Utd 28-28;WRR d ER7N 28-26;WWich d NRRSL 27-22; B4: D.Utd d S.Sab 41-22;WRR d D.Utd 39-24;NRRSL d Alex 67-20; C1: WRR d ER&N 24-22;WRR d Alex 40-24;NRRSL d E.Utd 38-26;AQ d NRS 51-29;C2: G.Rav d EEgls 37-27;D.Utd d BBrds 40-32;Alex d S.Sab 50-26;G.Rav d WRR 45-5;C3: ER&N W RLdy F;D.Utd d NRRSL 49-25;NRRSL d C.Flm 36-19;StK d WWich 38-24; C4: ER&N d WRR 36-21; D.Utd def C.Flm 61-37; RLdy d S.Sab 28-27; NRRSL d RLdy 36-30; C5: MBB d WWich 37-35;MDS d NRS 51-11;ER&N d WRR 39-25;EXLs d S.Sab 39-16; C6: Alex d YMCA 31-19; Alex d G.Rav 29-13; MBB d WWich 53-15; D.Utd d WWich 25-23; C7: NRS d RRSLR 43-8; Alex d NRRSL 32-23;G.Rav d YMCA 28-25;AQ d EEgls 58-4; D: StG d D.Utd 30-29;G.Rav d StG 28-17;Rldy dr G.Rav 22-22;D.Utd d MBB 44-29.
Rolfe has passion to coach
GOLFING pro Neil Rolfe achieved plenty as a junior golfer at North Ryde Golf Club before turning professional.
He represented the club at all levels and in competition has always shown a real passion on the golf course.
Now he enjoys teaching the game to prospective golfers of all ages at the local club where his promising career began.
Neil,27, and recently married to Alison has spent nine years working with club pro Marty Line in educating people on the finer points of golf.
A fully qualified professional with the Australian PGA, Rolfe shows great enthusiasm towards working with a player and setting goals to improve their skills.
“I also have a great time with the beginner golfers who are looking to try something new and I do believe that our Club offers a friendly and relaxed environment to come and learn to play” he said.
Neil has experience in coaching all levels of players from the brand new golfers to the elite level players.
“We coach ages from 9 years up and offer private tuition or group sessions. People don’t need any experience or equipment to come to learn how to play because I’m fully equipped. And the local talent is evident - North Ryde won the NSW Junior Pennant in 2007 and our Major Pennant team has been a finalist in their division for the past two years” he added.
North Ryde Golf Club is available for play seven days per week and the golf shop is open from dawn till dusk each day.
In addition to coaching, the Club provides professional clubfitting services and offer an exceptional range of golf equipment: clothing , bags , buggies and accesssories to cater for all golfing needs. Phone 9888 5518.
Holy Cross Soccer
U/6 Green: Holy Cross A 5 (H Clayton 2, M Alcuri, C Fayad, R Fimmano) Ararat 3; Red: Holy Cross 5 (E Nicol 2, M Lahoud, D Chaseling, M Riley) Macquarie Sports 4; White: Ravens 11 Holy Cross 0; U/7 Green: Saints United 12 Holy Cross 0; Yellow: Holy Cross 8 (T Gannon 3, C Elliott 3, B Riley 2) Ryde 1; Red: Holy Cross 2 (C Necovoski 2) Macquarie 1; U/8 Green: West Ryde Rovers 4 Holy Cross 2 (F Puric, H Nicol); 9/4: Holy Cross 17 (M Zdilar 6, L Kimber 3, M Silicato 2, J Tan 2, L Counsell, S Lucas, D Lavery, C Crimmins) Saints United 0; 9/6: Holy Cross 3 (N Lahoud, S Germanos, R Chitale) North Ryde 0; 10/3: Holy Cross 2 (B Sciancalepore, R Coary) Pennant Hills 0; 11/6: Holy Cross 4 (P Abi-Saab 3, A Karjalainen) Gladesville Sharks 0; 12/2: Holy Cross 3 (I DeKlerk, J Talevski, D Ussher) St Andrews 1; 15/2: Roselea 2 Holy Cross 0; 16/4: Holy Cross 4 (P Khzouz 2, J Mamora, F Bouserio) St Andrews 1; 21/2: Pennant Hills 7 Holy Cross 1; AA4: Holy Cross 3 (P Galante, D Fonte, M Sufferini) West Ryde Rovers 0; AA5: Holy Cross 2 (M Canone 2) North Ryde 1; AA8: Holy Cross 6 (R Kennefick 2, C Lane, B Cook, D Glenzendorf, D Armstrong) Pennant Hills 0; AA10: West Pennant Hills 5 Holy Cross 3 (A Harrison, R O’Donahue, M Payne); AA12: North Ryde 2 Holy Cross 0; AA13: Sharks 12 Holy Cross 1 (M Bottaro); AA17: Holy Cross 1 Redbacks 1; O35/5: Holy Cross 3 (D Hili 2, A Speziale) WPH 1.
Wayne a bowls whiz at 83
NORTH Ryde RSL Bowling Club recently held their annual Major Singles Championship which was won by Wayne Pleming, who defeated Michael Tims 31-13.
So what, you might say or well done Wayne! However it should be pointed out that Wayne is an active 83 years of age and this was his second consecutive major singles win and fourth triumph overall against rivals much younger than himself.
His tremendous skills and experience were never more tested than in this year’s competition, particularly in the semi final duel with David Baker. Wayne was trailing 27-15 and staring at defeat before the rain came down. The greens became heavier and Pleming was able to draw on all of his experience and rally to a 31-27 victory - a superb effort.
In the final, spectators were treated to a wonderful exhibition of quality bowls.
Even though Tims - one of North Ryde’s outstanding young bowlers - played an excellent game, he was no match for the dexterity of Pleming who produced an almost faultless game by displaying his well honed skills.
People are always amazed at Wayne’s physical capabilities on the bowling green, his willingness to encourage and coach other bowlers and admire his complete dedication to the sport.
This was a fine achievement by Pleming and pundits wonder if there were many other bowlers aged in their eighties that have captured major singles championships at club level. It proves that the physical disabilities brought on by ageing can be overcome by a positive attitude and a firm belief in your bowling prowess. Congratulations Wayne, you are a real champion.
Ryde Saints Soccer
U/6 White: Ryde Saints C 5 Ryde Saints B 4; Yellow: Saints 10 Saints B 0; Green: All Saints Hunters Hill 8 Saints B 2; U/7 Red: Saints B 8 Ravens 1; Green: Saints 12 Holy Cross 0; Saints B 12 Putney Rangers 0; U/8 Blue: Hills Hawks 4 Saints 2; Gold: Saints 5 Normanhurst 2; Purple: Saints 2 Putney 1; 9/1: Saints 0 North Ryde 0; 9/2: All Saints 1 Saints 0; 9/4: Holy Cross 17 Saints 0; 9/6: Saints 1 Redfield Lions 0; 10/1: Saints 3 North Ryde 1; 10/4: Carlingford United 6 Saints 0; 11/1: Saints 1 Normanhurst 1; 12/1: Glenhaven 2 Saints 0; 12/3: Thornleigh 1 Saints 0; 13/1: Saints 3 West Ryde Rovers 1; AA1: Saints 3 Hills Hawks 0; AA5: Redfield 3 Saints 1; AA7: Saints 12 Old Ignatians 3; WOMEN: 9/1: Saints (10) 2 Saints (9) 2; 11/1: Ravens (19) 1 Saints 0; 12/1: YMCA 0 Saints 0; 13/1: Saints 6 Thornleigh 0; 15/1: Saints (5) 5 Saints (4) 1; 16/2: Saints 2 North Epping 2; 17/1: Saints 2 Thornleigh 0; AA7: West Pennant Hills 9 Saints 0.
Capt Lee stars in State Cup
LEE BENNETT Balmain Ryde Eastwood Tigers captain shared the honours with Western Suburbs Magpies skipper Nathan Waters and a young Tigers fan when they unveiled a plaque to commemorate the first Rugby League game ever played in Australia at Birchgrove Oval exactly 100 years earlier as part of the centenary celebrations on Sunday April 20.
In 1908 Balmain defeated Wests 24-0 in the inaugural game and while Balmain Tigers again repeated their historical score of 24 points the Western Suburbs Magpies decided that history would not repeat itself on this occasion and notched up 36 points of their own in an entertaining display of open football for the large crowd in attendance.
A ball relay followed to the Sydney Cricket ground where the Tigers repeated their 1969 victory over traditional rivals South Sydney Bunnies. TWT on-the-spot PHOTO.
Soccer club’s Jubilee event
EASTWOOD St Andrews AFC is to celebrate their Jubilee season with a 50th anniversary dinner on Saturday May 31. at Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club from 7pm.
Tickets at $75 per head include meal and drinks. Come along and celebrate this great soccer club’s special milestone. Bookings and inquiries Greg Voss (president) 0438 712 041.
| TOP |