with Chris Karas
Super Sio inspires State U/13 triumph
MEET the Balmain junior forward sensation that continues to wreak havoc in schoolboy and Junior League competitions.
He is Sio Tatola (pictured), a powerfully built attacking weapon who last week spearheaded Holy Cross College Ryde to a NSW All Schools U/13 Championship title.
The strong running Tatola proved unstoppable as Holy Cross defeated Lewisham Christian Bros (18-0), Woolaware (12-0) and Kiama High (22-0) in a semi final before toppling Lewisham 18-6 in the Cup final.
It was the first State Championship triumph for Holy Cross since 1994 and comes on the back of Year 12 students Aaron Woods and Junior Rogica earning selection in the Australian Schoolboys Open rugby league team.
Skilful prop Woods, 17, and utility ace Rogica, 17, starred for the Australian Joeys that won both ‘tests’ against the touring British Academy side to retain the World Youth Champion-ship trophy.
Tatola - a trump card for the crack Holy Cross Rhinos U/13 side that is chasing a hat-trick of Balmain Junior League premierships - was ably supported by top prospects Olla Moala, Jayden Wheelhouse, Matt Woods, Josh Camroux, Chris Moana and Taniela Siale.
But the Rhinos face a nervous week after suffering a 26-22 loss in extra time to arch rivals Strathfield Raiders in a thrilling major semi final in the combined Balmain/St George Under 13 competition last Sunday at Birchgrove Oval.
Tatola was one of several Rhinos players in the Holy Cross State Championship -winning side that endured a tough schedule of matches leading up to the Junior League finals.
Strathfield drew first blood in their big end-of-season duels with the Rhinos - carving out wins over Holy Cross in the U/9, U/10 and U/13 Div 1 major semi finals.
Wounded Tigers in finals scrap
WESTS TIGERS first grade and U/20 rugby league teams recorded important wins over St George-Illawarra last Friday night at WIN Stadium to keep their 2008 finals hopes flickering.
Tim Sheens’ resurgent Tigers produced one of their best defensive efforts of the season in the club’s vital 18-10 victory over the Dragons with top games from rookie fullback Shannon Gallant, industrious forwards Chris Heighing-ton, Keith Galloway and Corey Payne, five eighth Benji Marshall and utility Beau Ryan.
Marshall, who was solid in general play, sealed victory with a late try and booted five goals to cap a fine all round game. The elusive Ryan instigated the try after swooping on a Jamie Soward chip kick and racing 40 metres downfield before popping an inside pass to Marshall who loomed up in support.
But in a savage blow, Tigers’ prop Todd Payten is facing at least three weeks on the sideline after being charged for a lifting tackle on Dragons centre Matt Cooper.
The Tigers are steeling themselves for a tough match with nemesis Parramatta next Monday night at Parramatta Stadium.
WESTS TIGERS 18 (B Ryan, B Marshall tries; B Marshall 5 gls) d ST GEORGE-ILLAWARRA 10 (J Morris try; J Soward 3 gls).
IMPACT forward Chad Grant turned in a powerful display to help the Wests Tigers roll St George-Illawarra 28-18 in the Toyota Cup.
Grant caught the eye with his bullocking runs and robust defence as the Tiger cubs finished strongly to secure their 12th win of the season.
Other cubs to shine were centre and skipper Blake Ayshford, fullback Tim Moltzen, utility back Matt Ryan, centre Brett Lane, lock Matt Hyland and forward Damon Harth.
•Meanwhile Balmain juniors Aaron Woods and Junior Rogica starred for the Australian Schoolboys who defeated the England Academy 17-10 at Wynnum last Saturday to clinch the World Youth Championship trophy.
WESTS TIGERS 28 (M Ryan 2, B Lane, B Ayshford, C Grant tries; T Moltzen 4 gls) d ST GEORGE-ILLAWARRA 18 (M Mundine, K Linnett, R O’Brien tries; M Mundine 3 gls).
Talent to burn at Benny Elias Shield
LEICHHARDT Wanderers, Strathfield Raiders and Concord-Burwood Wolves shared the spoils at the 6th annual Benny Elias Shield Mini League Carnival last Saturday at Frank Street Oval Ryde.
The proud Wanderers qualified for three finals and captured the U/8 title with an emphatic 32-0 victory over the Wolves.
Skipper and playmaker Ben Stevanovic turned in outstanding displays to earn the Player of the Series award with Concord-Burwood’s hard working forward McArthur Tupoulah named Player of the Final.
Stevanovic used his pace and tricky sidestep to nab four tries with talented team-mate Mark Nawaqamitawase also collecting four to cap a fine game.
It was a third major trophy for this exciting Wanderers team that won the Benny Elias U/7 trophy last season and the Junior Foundation Cup at the Sydney Football Stadium back in February.
Strathfield Raiders took out the U/7 trophy with a convincing 20-0 win over Wanderers.
Exciting Raiders prospect Billy Pappas was named Player of the Series - scoring four of his team’s five tries in the final with Chris Georges notching the other.
Wanderers cub Bailey Caldwell was named Player of the Final.
Concord-Burwood captured the U/6 trophy with a thrilling 20-16 win over Wanderers.
Wolves’ star Sam Chalouhe used his power and speed to score two tries and earn the Player of the Series award with support from Sion Mapapalangi.
Wanderers’ whiz Reilly Large was named Player of the Final and combined well with pocket dynamo Cougar Wheeler - both youngsters demonstrating their flair and raw speed to grab a try double each.
Holy Cross Rhinos officials and the great Benny Elias can take a bow for organising yet another successful event along with TIGERS Leagues Club for its generous sponsorship on the day.
Scorpion Mark a true club champ
ONE of the proudest clubs to compete in the Balmain Junior League were the Birchgrove Scorpions, who dominated during the 1970s and early ‘80s with a swag of premierships.
The Scorpions were a potent force in the junior schoolboy and senior ranks and produced outstanding footballers of the calibre of John Davidson, Wayne Miranda, Steve Kerr, Garry Mara, John Bilbija, Mark Ko’cass, Bruce Parnell, Mick Campbell and Peter Camroux just to name a few.
One of Birchgrove’s favourite sons was talented centre Mark Champley (pictured), a loyal clubman who gave yeoman service to the Scorpions from 1972 to ‘85.
They were his first and only club and typified the junior stalwarts that participated in the Junior League.
In 1974, aged 14, Mark was awarded the Club Champion Trophy - an award he cherishes to this day and in 1981 was presented with his 10 year blazer.
“During my years with Birchgrove I only played in two Grand Finals” recalled Mark.
“The first was in 1974 when we lost 21-12 to North Ryde who played Steve Jeffries and Michael Raymond in the centres and the second in 1980 when we defeated the previously unbeaten Holy Cross 11-8 at Leichhardt Oval.”
Champley took out the Players’ Player award in 1980 and also shone on the junior rep scene. He represented Balmain in the Harold Matthews Cup (1974); S.G.Ball Cup (1975); Jersey Flegg Cup (1976 & 1977) and the U/21 Presidents Cup in 1981. At rep level he played along side Wayne Pearce, John Muggleton and Steve Roach - all future Kangaroos.
“I feel fortunate to have been part of the Birchgrove family which included the Thompson and Arthur twins as well as the Large, McFadden, Vitnell and Champley brothers who all helped to form the heart of the famous Birchgrove club” said Mark.
Balmain Junior League will celebrate its Centenary season with a Sportsmen’s Luncheon this Friday at Le Montage, 38 Frazer Street, Lilyfield from 12 noon.
Highlight will be the announcement of the Balmain Junior League Team of the Century.
Former Test half back Tommy Raudonikis and top boxing trainer Johnny Lewis are guest speakers with Tigers personality Ron Ryan MC and 2GB Continuous Call celebrity Darryl Brohman a guest presenter. Tickets $125 per head or $180 corporate. 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
MAJOR SEMI FINALS: U/9 Div 1: Strathfield Raiders Black 18 Holy Cross Gold 12; Div 2: North Ryde White 46 North Ryde Red 0; U/10 Div 1: Strathfield Raiders 22 Holy Cross 0; Div 2: Carlingford Cougars Blue 14 North Ryde White 12; U/11 Div 1: Strathfield Raiders White 28 Concord-Burwood Blue 6; Div 2: Strathfield Raiders Black 16 Leichhardt Juniors 0; U/12 Div 1: Holy Cross Gold 24 Concord-Burwood Blue 6; Div 2: Dundas Shamrocks 30 Leichhardt Juniors 4; U/13 Div 1: (St George) Strathfield Raiders 26 Holy Cross 22 (extra time); Div 2: Brighton Seagulls 26 Arncliffe Scots 20; Balmain competition: North Ryde 28 Five Dock RSL 22; U/14 Div 1: Five Dock RSL 28 Holy Cross 6; Div 2: North Ryde 28 Penshurst RSL 18; U/15 Div 1: Dundas Shamrocks 24 Hurstville United 10; Div 2: Kingsgrove Colts 30 Concord-Burwood 4; U/16 Div 1: Five Dock RSL 40 Arncliffe Scots 6; Div 2: North Ryde 30 Leichhardt Juniors 14; U/17: Arncliffe Scots 28 Kingsgrove Colts 20; U/19 Div 1: North Ryde 22 Kingsgrove Colts 14; Div 2: Dundas Shamrocks 26 Arncliffe Scots 4.
ELIMINATION SEMI FINALS: U/9 Div 1: Concord-Burwood Blue 16 Dundas Shamrocks 12; Div 2: Holy Cross White 16 Holy Cross Maroon 6; U/10 Div 1: Dundas Shamrocks 20 Wanderers Red 4; Div 2: Wanderers Black 34 Five Dock RSL 14; U/11 Div 1: North Ryde 16 Shamrocks Green 0; Div 2: Carlingford Cougars 26 Concord-Burwood Maroon 12; U/12 Div 1: Wanderers 24 North Ryde 6; Div 2: Balmain PCYC 16 Cougars 4; U/13 Div 1: Hurstville 24 Penshurst RSL 12; Div 2: Concord-Burwood 14 Kingsgrove Colts 6; Balmain: Wanderers 30 Dundas Shamrocks 8; U/14 Div 1: Kingsgrove Colts 34 Concord-Burwood 8; Div 2: Arncliffe Scots 38 Renown United 18; U/15 Div 1: Five Dock RSL 36 Earlwood Saints 14; Div 2: Brighton Seagulls 26 Penshurst RSL 4; U/16 Div 1: Renown 22 Kingsgrove Colts 16; Div 2: Brighton Seagulls 16 Concord-Burwood 6; U/17: Earlwood Saints 34 North Ryde 8; U/19 Div 1: Hurstville 22 Holy Cross 10; Div 2: Concord-Burwood 28 Penshurst RSL 18.
Benny Elias Shield Carnival Champions
Leichhardt Wanderers - the longest established club in Balmain Junior League - capped a successful day at the 6th annual Benny Elias Shield Carnival last Saturday at Frank Street Oval Ryde by capturing the U/8s trophy. The Wanderers featured in all three finals with the mighty U/8s snaring a second successive title with a 32-0 win over Concord-Burwood.
Pictured with Tigers legend Ben Elias are skipper and Player of Series Ben Stevanovic, Mark Nawaqamitawase, Flynn-Ladbrooke-Bower, Connor Fisher, Ryan Musillo, Kale Ozluk, Lewis Parfitt, Aayam Shrestha, Griffin Taylor, Louis Tanner, coach Nick Stevanovic, trainer David Taylor and Wanderers president Frank Dunne. Concord-Burwood downed Wanderers 20-16 in the U/6 final with Strathfield Raiders toppling Wanderers 20-0 in the U/7s decider. See story inside. TWT-on-the-spot PHOTO.
Schoolboy Rugby Sevens
MARIST College Eastwood Rugby Sevens tournament - celebrating ten years of commitment to community rugby in 2008 - recently proved a rousing success at T.G Millner Field.
This prestigious competition, the only one of its type catering for junior rugby in Sydney, allows teams to end their season playing an unstructured free flowing form of the game.
Each team played four games on the day followed by a final in each age group. Winning teams were: U/9: Oatley 25 Epping 15; U/10: Dural 25 Ryde 10; U/11: Dural 30 Hillview 5; U/12: Beecroft Green 45 Beecroft Gold 0; U/13: Burraneer 30 Oatley 5. Pictured above is the winning Dural U/11 team with NSW Waratahs squad members Ben Batger and Ben Coridas.
Clean sweep for Hillies
HUNTERS Hill Rugby Club recorded a clean sweep of wins over Brothers last weekend in the NSW Suburban competitions at Boronia Park Oval.
The Hillies fourth and third grade sides posted resounding wins to cement semi final berths on Saturday August 23 at Norford Park, Sefton.
Fourths trounced Brothers 47-12 to extend their winning streak to 12 with top games from Simeli Latilevu, Peter Quinn and Ben Williams while Julian Hill, Jesse Croucher and Zane Thomas spearheaded the Hillies’ 39-10 victory in thirds.
Hunters Hill seconds crushed Brothers 43-0 and were best served by Robert Carter, Shane Marchant and Cyrus Church.
In first grade action, the Hillies edged out Brothers 22-19 with powerful performances from Colman Taylor, Alex Vertoudakis and Nick Giacomini.
Also on the day, Hunters Hill Rugby Club’s major raffle was drawn. Winners were: 1st prize Jenny Grice-Smith ($500 Fantastic Furniture voucher); 2nd prize Justin Morrow (signed & framed Melbourne Storm jersey) and 3rd prize: Adam West won case of Premium Australian Wines.
Dirty Reds lead Championship
DRUMMOYNE first grade rugby team salvaged a 16-all draw with Forest in a tough Kentwell Cup encounter last Saturday at Melwood Park, Forestville.
The Dirty Reds trailed 10-0 at the break and an eventful second half produced three yellow cards for Drummoyne players due to repeated infringements, reducing them to 13 players at one stage.
A disallowed try to hooker Tim Cruikshank may have caused other teams to crumble but it only made the champion Drummoyne team more focused.
Cruikshank and prop Tuainafua Veiru scored tries before the Reds levelled the scores with a late try after eight pick and drive phases. Fly-half Nathan Hayes missed the conversion attempt.
Forest posted a 29-26 victory over Drummoyne in second grade - booting a penalty goal on full time to secure the points.
Trailing 26-0, the Reds staged a spirited comeback with tries to winger Ezekiel Fuimaono (2), centre Chris Sione and half Ben Leaupepe.
Drummoyne thirds kept their finals hopes alive with a 26-0 win while fourths lost 8-0, fifths won 24-7 and Colts lost 19-17.
The Dirty Reds still hold the lead in the Division One Club Championship and host St Ignatius Old Boys this Saturday at Drummoyne Oval.
Dawn Fraser at TIGERS Club
SPORTING icon Dawn Fraser (pictured) will be at TIGERS Leagues Club this Sunday August 17 to host a FREE Beijing Olympic swimming finals promotion from 11am.
The well known Balmain identity, who won eight Olympic medals and eight Commonwealth Games medals, will take you through one of the biggest days on the Olympic calendar including the 50m women’s freestyle final; 1500m mens freestyle final and the 4 x 100m Medley relay women’s and men’s finals.
Not only can you meet an Australian sporting legend but Dawn will give club patrons an insight into what these athletes go through mentally and physically prior and during these races.
For further information visit www.tigers.org.au or phone 9556 0400.
Holy Cross Soccer
U/6 Green: Ryde District 8 Holy Cross B 2 (E Fraser 2); Holy Cross A (bye); Yellow: Holy Cross 6 (E Fraser 3, L Nadile 2, J Cavaleri) Gladesville Sharks 4; Red: Saints United 7 Holy Cross 1 (M Lahoud); White: All Saints Hunters Hill 5 Holy Cross 2 (E Tat, M Sayegh); U/7 Green: Saints United 6 Holy Cross 1 (A Tassone); Yellow: Holy Cross 6 (C Elliott 5, A Clark) Ravens 5; Red: Holy Cross 5 (C Necovski 2, D Coary, D Dwyer, J Zammit) Ravens 2; U/8 Green: Holy Cross 7 (F Puric 5, L Barbeler, S Begg) Glenhaven Sports 1; 9/4: Holy Cross 6 (Z Zdilar 2, M Silicato, C Crimmins, S Lucas, L Kimber) West Pennant Hills 0; 9/6: Hills Hawks 1 Holy Cross 0; 10/3: Holy Cross 2 (H Guff 2) St Andrews 0; 11/6: Nth Epping Rangers 1 Holy Cross 0; 12/2: Holy Cross 1 (J Talevski) Normanhurst 1; 15/2: Holy Cross 5 (S Matheos 2, D O’Brien 2, F Cho) Glenhaven 1; 16/4: Carlingford Redbacks 4 Holy Cross 3 (P Khzouz 2, J Mamora); 21/2: Holy Cross 2 (E Khzouz 2) Pennant Hills 1; AA4: Normanhurst 3 Holy Cross 2 (S Karras, R Cavallo); AA5: Redbacks 2 Holy Cross 0; AA8: Ravens 10 Holy Cross 3 (R Kennefick 2, B Cook); AA10: Holy Cross 4 (A Harrison, J Kuzomilovic, M Payne, N Casamento) St Andrews 1; AA12: Holy Cross 4 (D Saghabi, J Zaouk, T Sone, J Nadile) West Ryde Rovers 4; AA13: Holy Cross (bye); AA17: Glenhaven 8 Holy Cross 0; O35/5: Holy Cross 1 (D Hili) St Andrews 1.
Ryde Saints Soccer
U/6 White: Ryde Saints C 7 Ryde Saints A 3; All Saints Hunters Hill 8 Ryde Saints B 0; U/7 Red: Ryde Saints B All Saints 0; Green: Ryde Saints A 4 Gladesville Sharks 0; U/8 Blue: Ryde Saints 2 Sharks 0; Purple: Carlingford Redbacks 4 Ryde Saints 2; 9/1: Ryde Saints 2 Ravens 1; 9/2: Ryde Saints 0 Normanhurst 0; 9/4: Ravens 5 Ryde Saints 0; 9/6: North Ryde 3 Ryde Saints 0; 10/4: Redbacks 2 Ryde Saints 0; 11/1: Ravens 4 Ryde Saints 1; 12/1: Ravens 3 Ryde Saints 2; 12/3: Ryde Saints 0 St Andrews 0; 13/1: Ryde Saints 2 Epping YMCA 1; AA1: Hills Hawks 5 Ryde Saints 1; AA7: Ryde Saints 3 Kenthurst 1; WOMEN: 9/1: Ryde Saints (9) 1 Ravens 1; 11/1: Ryde Saints 2 Ravens 1; 12/1: Ryde Saints 0 Epping YMCA 0; 13/1: Tennyson Tigers 1 Ryde Saints 0; 15/1: Ryde Saints (4) 2 Ravens 1; 16/2: Ryde Saints 1 MCC 0; 17/1: Ryde Saints 6 Thornleigh 0.
Ryde Hockey
MENS: First Grade: Ryde-Hunters Hill 3 (Duncan Pearce 2, Brent Wilsmore) drew UTS 3; Seconds: UTS 4 Ryde-Hunters Hill 2 (Matt Wright, Cameron Brown); Thirds & Fourths (bye); Fifth: UTS 4 Ryde-Hunters Hill 1 (Adam Shields); Sixth: Ryde-Hunters Hill 3 (Brad Parkes, Jeff McEwen, Mark Richards) UTS 1; 7th: Ryde-Hunters Hill 1 Norwest 0; 8th: Ryde-Hunters Hill 4 (Greg Merchant 2, Phil Wellsman, Lloyd Parker) Norwest 2; 9th: (bye); WOMEN: Firsts: Ryde-Hunters Hill 7 (Keira Batten 2, Kirsten Pearce 2, Emma Scriven 2, Rebecca Atkinson) Glebe 0; Seconds: Wentworthville 1 Ryde-Hunters Hill 0; Thirds: Ryde-Hunters Hill 1 (Renee Dawson) Glebe 1; 6th: Ryde-Hunters Hill 2 (Laura Turnbull, Georgia Dwyer) Macquarie University 1; JUNIORS: U/17: Ryde Panthers 5 (M Wright 3, A Shields, Nick McEwen) SWS 1; Ryde Tigers 3 (Steven Besanvalle, Matt Rahme, Nick Penny) Sutherland (2) 1; U/15: Ryde Lions 1 Baulkham Hills 0; Ryde Tigers 2 Gordon-North Sydney 1; Ryde Panthers 3 Northern District 2; U/13: Ryde Tigers 3 Gordon-North Sydney White 0; Ryde Panthers 12 Baulkham Hills 0; Gordon-North Sydney 1 Ryde Panthers 0; U/11: Ryde Tigers 0 Northern District White 0; Gordon-North Sydney 2 Ryde Panthers 0.
Nipping off for a sail
Popular ‘Nippers’ junior sailing program is ready to run again in October at Hunters Hill Sailing Club.
Aimed at 8-12 year old girls and boys, the program is held over eight Sunday mornings through the spring and summer months.
The children have an exhilarating time overcoming their fears of being on the water and learning the basics of knots, wind direction and skippering a dinghy.
The program is managed by former 18 Footer world champion Phil Barnett. With an emphasis on fun and safety, the Nippers begin their sailing under the immediate supervision of adult sailors in a larger Mirror dinghy.
Aim is to have every child participant ready to sail a Sabot dinghy, ‘two-up’, with another child by the end of the eight week program in February 2009. The Hunters Hill Sailing Club follows up the Nippers program with a ‘Learn to Sabot’ program.
The course is so popular that many of the Nippers’ parents go on to start sailing themselves.
An information session will be held this Sunday August 3 at Hunters Hill Sailing Club. Phone Sally Stobo on 9817 3009 to register your interest.
| TOP |