with Chris Karas
National honors for cubs Aaron & Junior
EMERGING Wests Tigers cubs Aaron Woods and Junior Rogica (pictured) have gained selection in the Australian Schoolboys Open squad to play the touring England Academy and French national junior teams in Queensland next month.
The 17 year old Holy Cross College Ryde students earned their international spurs after turning in strong displays for NSW Catholic Colleges at the National Schoolboy titles in Darwin last week.
Woods, a ball playing prop and Rogica, a dynamic utility, helped NSWCC reach the championship final where they were pipped 18-12 by NSW Combined High Schools.
The talented Woods was named Player of the Match after NSWCC toppled CHS 14-12 in the opening round and also made an impact in victories over Queensland (46-12) and ACT (54-0).
Both cubs will line up for Australia in an upcoming international series against the England Academy and French Junior teams in Townsville and Brisbane.
The Australian Schoolboys meet England Academy in the first test on Saturday August 2 in a curtain-raiser to the Roosters v North Qld NRL clash at Dairy Farmers Stadium before the second test on August 9 at Kougari Oval in Wynnum.
Australia also hosts the French Juniors on Wednesday August 13 at Kougari Oval.
Woods and Rogica starred for Balmain in this year’s NSWRL U/18 S.G Ball Cup series and for Holy Cross in the Metropolitan Catholic Schools competition.
Both are products of the Balmain Tigers Development Program with Woods a gun forward for Leichhardt Juniors and Holy Cross Rhinos in the Balmain Junior League and Rogica a trump card for Concord-Burwood Wolves.
They are first Holy Cross pair to represent the Australian Schoolboys since Benny Elias and Brett Gale achieved the feat back in 1981 - the same year the College captured their one and only Commonwealth Bank Cup title.
Other Holy Cross players to don the green and gold in the Open schoolboy ranks were: Scott Gale (1982); Paul Sironen (1983); Jason Stewart (1989); Jamie Shepherd (1990); Craig Carrington (1993); Troy Perkins (1994) and Mark Riddell (1998).
Woods and Rogica have already been blooded in the Toyota Cup National Youth competition and will spearhead the Wests Tigers U/18 CUBS on their Pacific Islands tour in October.
The 2008 Australian Schoolboys squad is:
Ronnie Alovili (Palm Beach-Currumbin State High); Tim Auremi (St Pauls Greystanes); Ethan Cook (Hunter Sports High);
Daniel Galati (Westfields Sports High); William Hopoate (Brisbane Waters Secondary College); Jamal Idris (De La Salle Bankstown); Ryan James (Palm Beach-Currumbin);
Albert Kelly (Patrician Brothers Blacktown); Peter Mata’utia (Hunter Sports High); Jordan Rankin (Palm Beach-Currumbin);
Junior Rogica (Holy Cross Ryde); Neenan Simpson (De La Salle Bankstown); Martin Taupau (Endeavour Sports High);
Jarrod Thompson (St Gregory’s Campbelltown); Dominic Walsh (Matraville Sports High); Aaron Woods (Holy Cross Ryde) and Matthew Wright (Patrician Brothers Blacktown).
Benji back to best
ROBBIE Farah and Benji Marshall rediscovered their best form as Wests Tigers hammered traditional rivals South Sydney 36-12 last Sunday at ANZ Stadium to stay on track in the NRL finals race.
The crafty Farah turned in a brilliant display at half back and Marshall wove his magic at five eighth as the revved up Tigers produced a super defensive effort to snap a four match losing streak.
It was a morale-boosting triumph for the injury ravaged Wests team who remain in the finals hunt on 20 points.
Minus the services of several key players, the Tigers bounced back to their enterprising best with boom centre Chris Lawrence, bumping winger Taniela Tuiaki and rookie back Beau Ryan all bagging try doubles in a seven-try rout.
Others to impress were forwards Chris Heighington, Ben Te’o, Bryce Gibbs, Keith Galloway, Liam Fulton, John Morris and Daine Laurie.
The Tigers trek to CUA Stadium this Saturday night to face a rejuvenated Penrith side in what shapes as an intriguing contest.
WESTS TIGERS 36 (T Tuiaki 2, C Lawrence 2, B Ryan 2, R Farah tries; B Marshall 4 gls) d SOUTHS 12 (J Simpson, R Asotasi tries; I Luke 2 gls).
BENJI MARSHALL - classy display in Tigers’ 36-12 win.
Centenary Sports Lunch
LEGENDARY Test half back Tommy Raudonikis and top boxing trainer Johnny Lewis are guest speakers at the Balmain Junior League Centenary Sportsman’s Luncheon on Friday August 15 at Le Montage Leichhardt from 12 noon.
Raudonikis, the former Wests and Newtown playmaker, was named in the list of Australia’s 100 Greatest Players. He’ll be joined by MC - Tigers’ and North Ryde Hawks legend Ron Ryan and special guest presenter Darryl Brohman.
A highlight will be the announcement of the Balmain Junior League Team of the Century.
Tickets $125 per head or $1250 for table of ten. Entertainment from leading comedian Vince Sorrenti. Copies of BJL Centenary book “From Fraser to Farah - History of Balmain Junior League 1908-2008” written by TWT Sports Editor Chris Karas will be available on the day. Bookings Tracey Aria 9556-0464 or traceya@tigers.org.au
Balmain Junior League 2008
U/9 Div 1: Holy Cross Gold 26 Strathfield Raiders Black 0; Dundas Shamrocks 16 Concord-Burwood Blue 16; Leichhardt Wanderers (bye); Div 2: North Ryde Red 50 Concord-Burwood White 0; Leichhardt Juniors 32 Strathfield Raiders White 24; North Ryde White 12 Holy Cross Maroon 6; Concord-Burwood Maroon 18 Holy Cross White 14; Balmain PCYC (bye). U/ 10 Div 1: Holy Cross 18 Shamrocks 16; Strathfield Raiders 36 North Ryde Red 6; Wanderers Red 10 Concord-Burwood 6; Div 2: Wanderers Black 40 Five Dock RSL 10; North Ryde White 24 Carlingford Cougars Blue 20; Cougars Maroon (bye). U/11 Div 1: North Ryde 50 Five Dock RSL 0; Concord-Burwood Blue 18 Shamrocks Green 0; Strathfield Raiders White (bye); Div 2: Cougars 24 Concord-Burwood Maroon 12; Strathfield Raiders Black 28 Leichhardt Juniors 10; Shamrocks Yellow (bye). U/ 12 Div 1: Wanderers 30 Strathfield Raiders 6; North Ryde 10 Concord-Burwood Blue 10; Holy Cross Gold (bye); Div 2: Balmain PCYC 18 Concord-Burwood Maroon 12; Shamrocks 30 Leichhardt Juniors 16; Cougars 30 Holy Cross Maroon 8; U/13 Div 1: (St George) Strathfield Raiders 86 Earlwood Saints 10; Balmain: Five Dock RSL 42 Shamrocks 8; Holy Cross Maroon 48 Concord-Burwood Maroon 6; North Ryde 12 Wanderers 10; U/ 14 Div 1: Holy Cross 16 Five Dock RSL 14; Div 2: North Ryde 34 Renown 4; U/15 Div 1: Dundas Shamrocks 20 Five Dock RSL 12; Div 2: North Ryde 26 Wanderers 12; U/16 Div 1: Five Dock RSL d Kingsgrove Colts; Renown 22 Holy Cross 18; Div 2: Leichhardt Juniors 24 North Ryde 20; U/17: North Ryde 38 Renown 10; U/19 Div 1: Renown 16 North Ryde 8; Div 2: Shamrocks 30 Arncliffe Scots 10.
WIN! with TWT!
ROBBIE FARAH, right, was interviewed by Balmain Tigers great Mark O’Neill at the book launch of the Balmain Junior League history book “From Fraser to Farah” by The Weekly Times Sports Editor Chris Karas at the 2008 Balmain Tigers Hall of Fame Dinner. Five TWT readers can win a copy of the book. TO WIN simply write your name and address on the back of an envelope and send to: TWT Junior League Book, PO Box 123 Ryde 1680. Entries close July 28 and winners announced July 30. TWT on-the-spot PHOTO.
Jessica’s bid for World Cup glory
PUTNEY sporting sensation Jessica Palmer (pictured) has experienced a meteoric rise in the world of women’s rugby league. Twenty four year old Jessica - the daughter of current Roosters, NSW and Kangaroos head trainer Ron Palmer - has forced her way into the women’s NSW Origin team after only a handful of club matches in her debut season.
Now the talented hooker or half back is on the verge of national selection after a strong game for NSW in a recent 8-6 loss to Queensland at CUA Stadium at Penrith.
Jessica scored a try and kicked a goal on debut in the Origin showdown and was later named in the Australian train-on squad.
The super fit Palmer, who is employed by the ARL as a Development Officer, could join her dad on World Cup duty later this year if she can crack a spot in the women’s national team.
Ron Palmer - a former Balmain centre/lock - will again train the Kangaroos during their 2008 World Cup campaign in October-November and will be a proud dad if Jessica gets to represent Australia at the Women’s World Cup in Brisbane during September.
A talented soccer centre half during her teens and NSW Institute scholarship holder, Jessica played first grade soccer with Manly Dolphins and touch football in the Ryde-Eastwood Association before taking up rugby league this season.
And she proved an instant hit - gaining NSW honors after only four club appearances for the Forestville Ferrets. Jessica was rewarded for her impressive early season form with selection in the womens City Origin side that performed strongly in a round robin series at Narrabeen.
A punishing defender and elusive player in attack, Jessica has shown natural ability and is primed for another big effort when NSW tackle the Maroons in the second interstate clash at Wynnum next month.
She is one of the fittest and fiercest competitors in the Womens League and also a capable goalkicker which should keep her in good stead when selectors sit down to name the World Cup squad.
Meanwhile, Jessica can push her claims for an Australian jumper with solid performances for Forestville and NSW in the weeks to come.
“I have enjoyed the season to date and look forward to the big matches ahead,” she quipped.
“Making the City and NSW rep teams was a thrill and anything else I achieve would be a bonus.”
“Dad has passed on a few tips and has been a huge influence on my league career - my goal is to play in a World Cup either this year or down the track” she added.
Holy Cross Cricket Centenary Dinner
HOLY CROSS Cricket Club will celebrate its Centenary next summer with a Reunion Dinner on February 28, 2009 in the Holy Cross College Ryde Centenary Hall.
The Reunion Dinner is the highlight of the Club’s Centenary celebrations with the Crusaders keen to make contact with past players and officials from the junior and senior teams.
To register for information on the Centenary Dinner, contact Jen Bonnett on 0401 005 511 or email: crusaders_hcccc@ optusnet.com.au
Holy Cross Crusaders offer Have-a-Go (for 5 -7 year olds) to junior competition teams from U/8 to U/16s) with both boys and girls welcome.
Register on Saturday August 2 or Saturday August 9 at Holy Cross College dressing rooms at Frank Street Oval from 10am to 2pm. For more information visit their website at www.hcccc.websyte.com.au or contact Registrar Barry Sheehan on 9804-8330.
Hawks’ Jubilee Dinner
NORTH RYDE Junior Rugby League Club will honor its past champions at the Red & White Night Jubilee Dinner on Friday August 1 at North Ryde RSL Community Club.
This memorable event commences at 6.30pm and combines the Hawks’ 50 year celebrations with their major fund raiser for 2008 with the naming of the Hawks’ Team of the Half Century a highlight.
Nominations for North Ryde’s Team of the Half Century include: FULLBACK: Steven Bortolussi, Paul Duncan, Rod Pethybridge,Tony Sculley, Brett Wheelhouse; WINGERS: Darren Clark, Mark Lawson, Troy Pearce, Tony Raso, Ricky Trelor, Grant Wheelhouse;
CENTRES: Colin Bell, Peter Bell, Adam Braham, Peter Elliott, Barry Marler, Matt Ryan, Paul Wallace, Wayne Wigham, Rodney Wignell; FIVE EIGHTH: Jamie Bell, Grant Carmody, Colin Crockart, Dane Gernhoefer, Fred Higson, Barry Marler, Ron Ryan, Jason Tutt; HALF BACK: Robert Accord, Graham Booth, John Davey, Chris Mousmoutis, Craig Partridge, Mitchell Pearce, Ron Tutt, John Wythe; LOCK: Peter Booth, Paul Dalziel, Mark Evans, Brett Rodgers, Kevin Tyrrell; SECOND ROW: Dave Ferris, Peter Murphy, Paul Sironen, Ronnie Stone, Dean Webster; HOOKER: Max Beecher, Dene Halatau, Steve Hedger, Gordon Rytmeister, Graeme Tutt; PROP: Chris Burke, Martin Murphy, Rohan Privett, Matt Steele, Ian Thomson, Sam Waterhouse, Garry Webster.
COACH: Keith Aggett, Col Barbieri, Peter Poole; MANAGER: Phil Allen, Phil Dries, Alan Lawson, Robert Stephens.
Tickets $60 per head include meal and entertainment. There’ll be a memorabilia display and pictorial presentation of the Hawks’ past 50 years; raffles prizes and auction of sporting memorabilia; drinks at club prices and entertainment from Wayne Pearce and the Big Hitters.
For further details contact Darren Leslie 0409 310 300 or Brian Johnston 0401 709 829.
Saints Soccer
U/7 Green: Ryde Saints A 4 Ryde Saints B 1; U/8 Blue: West Ryde Rovers 6 Ryde Saints 2; Gold: Ryde Saints 4 West Pennant Hills 2; Purple: Ryde Saints 7 WPH 0; 9/1: Ryde Saints 0 Epping YMCA 0; 9/2: Nth Epping Rangers 6 Ryde Saints 1; 9/4: Ryde Saints 1 Nth Epping Rangers 1; 9/6: Holy Cross 3 Ryde Saints 0; 10/1: Glenhaven 4 Ryde Saints 0; 10/4: Carlingford Redbacks 3 Ryde Saints 0; 11/1: Ravens 5 Ryde Saints 2; 12/1: Ryde Saints 2 Hills Hawks 0; 12/3: Rovers 3 Ryde Saints 1; Nth Epping Rangers 4 Ryde Saints 0; 13/1: Epping YMCA 2 Ryde Saints 0; AA1: Ryde Saints 2 Old Ignatians 2; AA7: Kenthurst 3 Ryde Saints 1; WOMEN: 9/1: Ryde Saints (10) 1 All Saints Hunters Hill 0; 11/1: Epping YMCA 2 Ryde Saints 0; 12/1: Tennyson Tigers 2 Ryde Saints 0; 13/1: Ravens 1 Ryde Saints 0; 15/1: Ryde Saints (5) 5 Ravens 0; Ryde Saints (4) 3 Nth Epping 1; 16/2: Ryde Saints 2 MCC 0.
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GLADESVILLE Sporties Mens Bowling Club recently conducted a successful President’s Day luncheon and Bowls Day. Pictured are Bowling Club members during a break between ends. TWT on-the-spot PHOTO.
Unbeaten Reds pile on points
DRUMMOYNE first grade rugby team were at their attacking best last Saturday at Drummoyne Oval - turning on the style to whip University of NSW 55-32 in a high scoring encounter.
The unbeaten Reds produced a slick display and led 26-20 at the break after first half tries by half Jesse Milford, winger Josh Asusasu, flanker Nathan Landrey and NSW Suburban representative number eight Trent Tapps.
After the interval the Reds ran amok with Scott Monaghan making multiple line breaks, two of which led to tries to hooker Tim Cruikshank and Josh Asusasu.
Winger Wise Gavida nabbed two tries before setting up a try for lock Peter Goodall, whose jarring defence and high work rate set the platform for the team’s 14th consecutive victory.
Drummoyne seconds won 33-13 with top games from fly-half Mathew Pride, centre Martin Tevaga, half Ben Leaupepe and forwards Dusty Elsom, Alex Cruikshank and Will Fitzpatrick.
Thirds won 9-0 to remain in fourth spot on the ladder; fourths lost 17-3; fifths drew 0-0 and Colts lost 29-13.
Danish gymnasts visit Gladesville
GLADESVILLE RSL Gymnastics Club played host to a talented Danish team of 40 gymnasts during the last week of the school holidays.
The gymnasts visited the Gladesville club on their travels around Australia and volunteered to conduct a workshop, along with Tim and Michelle Bollard, to raise funds for the Giant Steps School for Autistic Children in Gladesville.
Sixty children attended the workshop and were treated to a fun time, learned new skills and made many new friends with the visitors. A total of $2,000 was raised for Giant Steps.
Other workshops held by Tim and Michelle during the holidays, will also raise funds for Giant Steps.
Wily Margaret scoops pool with eight wins
NORTH Ryde RSL Community Club director Margaret Hodgekiss (pictured) has become the first tipster to scoop the pool with eight wins in this year’s TWT Footy Tipping competition.
Margaret, a good judge of league talent, tipped wins for Manly, Brisbane, Warriors, Penrith, Sharks, Tigers, Canberra and Melbourne last round to give North Ryde RSL a share of the lead on 80 1/2 with TWT Sports Editor Chris Karas, Gladesville Sporties Club, Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club and Concord RSL Community Club. Well done Margaret!
Holy Cross Soccer
U/6 Green: Holy Cross A 7 (C Fayad 5, M Alcuri, L Bortolusi) Putney Rangers 7; Red: Holy Cross 5 (E Nicol 3, M Lahoud, J Taylor) Saints United 4; White: Putney Rangers 11 Holy Cross 2 (E Tat 2); U/7 Yellow: Holy Cross 4 (C Elliott 2, A Clark, B Riley) Ryde District 4; Red: Holy Cross 8 (D Coary 3, C Necovski 2, R Nelson, M Tonkli, J Zammit) Putney Rangers 1; U/8 Green: Holy Cross 3 (F Puric, H Nicol, L Barbeler) Thornleigh Sports 0; 9/4: Holy Cross 2 (M Zdilar, R Suter) Kenthurst 1; 9/6: Holy Cross 3 (S Germanos 2, L Amodeo) Saints United 0; 10/3: Holy Cross 3 (H Guff, R Morfuni, N Gannon) Eastwood St Andrews 2; 11/6: Holy Cross 5 (M Hynson 2, P Abi-Saab, J Tassone, A Karjalainen) West Pennant Hills 1; 12/2: Holy Cross 1 (L Welsh) Normanhurst 1; 15/2: Holy Cross 1 Pacific Hills-Dural 0; 16/4: Holy Cross 2 (V Kalpakian 2) Carlingford Redbacks 1; U21/2: Holy Cross (bye); AA4: Holy Cross 6 (P Galante 3, F Arriola, S Karras, M Sufferini) St Andrews 1; AA5: Holy Cross (bye); AA8: Roselea 5 Holy Cross 2 (R Kennefich, D Armstrong); AA10: Epping YMCA 4 Holy Cross 2 (A Harrison, own gl); AA12: Thornleigh Sports 4 Holy Cross 1 (D Nassif); AA13: Holy Cross 3 (A Intili, G Williams, M Bottaro) North Ryde 3; AA17: Holy Cross 2 Nth Epping Rangers 0; O35/5: Holy Cross 2 (D Hili, A Speziale) Kenthurst 2.
Jubilee celebrations for proud Bowls Club
Denistone East Bowling & Recreation Club - located on corner Kings Road and Salter Crescent - is celebrating its Jubilee Year in 2008.
To mark the occasion, the Club will host a special 50th Anniversary luncheon and bowls afternoon with five visiting clubs this Saturday from 11.30am.
This is a proud milestone that not even the founding fathers could envisage reaching at their initial meeting to form the club 50 years ago.
People passing the club now would be unaware that the carefully manicured greens and surrounds that beautify this area, was once a deep blackberry and vermin infested gully. Known as Kings Park the gully ran through the then Eastwood Golf Course that covered all the land east of Kings and south of Lovell Road.
Ryde Council resumed the golf course in 1946 for an extensive housing project containing a “Public Garden and Recreation Area.
Development of the site was slow and it was not until May 27, 1958 that a group of 39 local citizens keen to bowl met and instigated a plan to build a two green bowling club.
From day one, history has shown that the club’s battle to exist on lease-hold land, securing finance and interested members to get it “up and running “ was just as difficult then as it continues to be today.
However in these days of clubs merging or closing, DEBC soldiers on - supported by the dedication and voluntary work of its members and proud record of its many bowls triumphs.
In these days of an increasing ageing population the Club provides a place of friendship and comradeship to the community and to those who love their game of bowls, the serenity of cool greens and the click of bowl on bowl.
The Club looks forward with confidence to the years ahead and with the continued support of members, to many more successes in their beloved game.
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