SPORTSNEWS

with Chris Karas

Talent on show in Junior Grand Finals

NORTH Ryde Junior Rugby League Club celebrated its Jubilee season in style last weekend by collecting five premierships at the Balmain Junior League Grand Finals at Leichhardt Oval.

The Hawks capped a memorable 2008 when they lifted the U/9 Div 2, U/13 Balmain, U/14 Div 2, U/16 Div 2 and U/19 Div 1 championship trophies to underline their depth of talent.

Promising lock Ben Harrison and crafty utility Dane Gernhoefer inspired North Ryde’s 24-12 victory over Kingsgrove Colts in an absorbing U/19 Div 1 decider.

Other Hawks to impress were forwards Todd Nosti, John Woods and Ali Musri while Kingsgrove got value from fullback Josh Mansour, half James Cotsonis, centre Ray Wiki and forward Luke Haberecht.

* * *

NORTH Ryde White posted a 40-6 win over North Ryde Red in U/9s with strong running back Tom Cross scoring two tries in a big game for the Whites.

He was supported by Shannon Condon, Nathan Davis, Jacob Sinclair, Jason Kerr, Jack Butcher, Anthony Russo and Daniel Markovtzev while Ryan Price, Max Picca-Campbell, Billy Ward, Alex Thambyah and Daniel Greenland tried hard for the Reds.

* * *

TALENTED five eighth Beau Allen starred in North Ryde’s 38-16 win over Five Dock RSL in the U/13 Balmain Division Grand Final.

Allen sparked the Hawks with his skill out wide to earn the Player of the Match award. Other Hawks to shine were fullback Jackson Unmack who notched three tries; half Ben Bury, centre Rod Zakarija and forwards Steven Segreto, Nick Bell, Jonathon Boyle, hooker Sam Gliddon and Josh Cosgrove.

Five Dock were best served by Kieran Chatfield, Glen Weldon, Jarrad Veneziano, Nick Kapeleris and lock James Madden.

* * *

PROMISING fullback Reid Tepuke led North Ryde to a thumping 58-14 victory over Arncliffe Scots in the U/14 Div 2 decider.

He was supported by hooker Jacob Graham, lock Ryan McLachlan, winger Brandon Rookes, centres Nick O’Connor and Paul Ramondino and David Fangaloka.

Back rowers Rikki Piggott, Dylan Baxter and half Asipeli Fatai tried hard for the Scots.

* * *

NORTH Ryde half back Hayden Gregory engineered a 42-6 triumph over Leichhardt Juniors in the U/16 Div 2 Grand Final.

Gregory combined with lock Jarryd Clarke to create havoc with support from centre Ryan Kain, hooker Shannon Savidis, fullback Greg Denlow, prop Eden Dally, speedster Andrew Son and forwards Brett Tyrrell and Mark Bonifacio.

Leichhardt players to impress were Callum Walker, Phil Wilson, Carl Robinson-Kennedy, Brad Fahlbush and Luke Wilson.

* * *

HOLY CROSS lifted three premiership titles in U/9 Div 1, U/12 Div 1 and U/14 Div 1 age groups.

The Rhinos’ U/9s recorded a thrilling 12-6 victory over Strathfield Raiders (see Page 32) while Paul Sironen’s all conquering U/12s came from behind to roll Concord-Burwood Blue 14-10.

Clever half back Jack Wheelhouse inspired the Rhinos with his organisational skills. Hooker Mason Doueihi sealed victory when he fooled the defence to score down the blindside in the 36th minute.

Joshua Nohra, Bayley Sironen, Junior Tatola, Matthew Vatuinaruku, Jye Jarvis, Shawn Vainga and Doueihi all shone for the Rhinos while Matthew Thomas, Joseph Carbo, Daniel Paul, Michael Di Lonardo, Brian Dowling and Austin Vilarrubi played strongly for the Wolves.

* * *

MASON Farrell produced an outstanding game to help Holy Cross sink Five Dock RSL 24-20 in a top quality U/14 Div 1 Grand Final.

The elusive Rhinos fullback caught the eye with his sharp running and scored a vital try after a dazzling solo run before the half time break.

Exciting cubs Luke Brooks, Max Dimarco, Shae Jarvis, Andrew Kazzi, Luke Georgas, Michael Kuhne and 13 year old Sio Tatola also shone for the Rhinos while forwards Michael Mouawad, Scott Bunch, Oscar Pryor-Lees, Dean Carozzi, Patrick Fowler and backs Alex Vlahos, James Blackwood and Jacob Goss turned in strong games for Five Dock.

* * *

DUNDAS SHAMROCKS registered a premiership ‘trifecta’ with trophy wins in the U/12 Div 2, U/15 Div 1 and U/19 Div 2 deciders.

Emerging fullback Michael Flynn turned in a Player of the Match display to steer the Shamrocks U/12s to an 18-10 win over Leichhardt Juniors.

He was supported by Matt Meafou, Jake Georgas, Brad Heath, Joseph Ghalloub and Tom Collins while John Hogan, Luke Johnston, Alex Robertson, Kayne Kirby and Jaden Pardey impressed for Leichhardt.

* * *

CURTIS Sironen produced a skilful performance on the ground that his legendary father Paul carved out an illustrious career with the Tigers - guiding the Shamrocks to an U/15 premiership win over Hurstville United.

Young Sironen stamped his mark in a hard-fought 26-22 triumph with support from forwards Ray Bechara, Sean Hawken, Jelal Edmonds, Matthew Janes and key backs Michael Nuchanatanon and Daniel Vasek.

It was back-to-back titles for the Shamrocks who dominated the competition with consistent displays under mentor Mani Edmonds and manager Glen Hawken.

Wests Tigers newly appointed CEO Scott Longmuir with star Dundas Shamrocks U/15 Div 1 five eighth Curtis Sironen who led his side to a 26-22 Grand Final win over Hurstville United at Leichhardt Oval.

* * *

DUNDAS produced a courageous performance to clinch the U/19 Div 2 decider - toppling Arncliffe Scots 28-24 in a thriller. Trailing 18-4, the Shamrocks were forced to play the second half with only 12 men after forward Matt Mizzi was sent off. Led by skilful half Daniel Jeffery and hooker Myles Foster, the Shamrocks rallied with tries to Danny Vidal, Jeffery, Andrew Daoud and Antonio Son to pull off a gutsy win.

Other Dundas players to shine were five eighth Sam Refaai, utility Brett Peacock, Mark Abraham and Vidal.

* * *

STRATHFIELD Raiders picked up four premierships in the U/10 Div 1, U/11 Div 1 & 2 and U/13 Div 1 Grand Finals.

Jackson Howard starred in the Raiders’ 28-18 win over Holy Cross with support from AJ Raheb, Lawrence Bingham, Adam Doueihi, Nick Kairouz and Louis Morrison. Holy Cross got value from Justin Story, Axel Cahlin, Zach Foreman, Jarod Sabat, Andrew Kabourakis and Jayden Scuglia.

* * *

POWER running forward Pifeliti jnr guided the Raiders to a 24-12 win over Concord-Burwood in the U/11 Div 1 decider.

The Strathfield ‘torpedo’ scored three tries in a top display with support from Alex Park, Faddoul, Bernard Kairouz and Xavier Rego. The Wolves were best served by Mathew Long, Nathan Taweel, Nick Vatovec and Stanley Ferro.

* * *

STRATHFIELD Raiders half McLean Rowley was the architect of a 24-18 win over Carlingford Cougars in U/11 Div 2.

Other Raiders to impress were Samuel Khalifeh, Patrick Mouwad, Brenton Holland and Brendan Koutantos while Tom Cleary, James Ramm, Brant Booby, Cameron Mauro and Forrest Johnson-Fischer shone for the Cougars.

* * *

STRAPPING centre Tim Park produced a classy display in the Raiders 20-4 triumph over Hurstville United in U/13 Div 1.

Park nabbed two tries and created havoc with his strong running out wide. He was supported by fullback Peter Semaan, halves Jean-Paul Boumelhem and Misieli Vaikeli, Elvis Pham, lock Taniela Siale, Tony Abraham and Fine Vaivaka.

Fullback Adrian Shortland, halves Julian Hamblyn and Rhys Kennedy-Holtz and prop Adam Aitoa shone for Hurstville.

* * *

LEICHHARDT Wanderers captured the U/10 Div 2 crown with a 22-16 win over Carlingford.

Trailing 16-0 at the break, the Wanderers staged a spirited comeback with livewire Yirribi Jaffer (2), Albert Ong and 8 year old whiz kid Ben Stevanovic grabbing second half tries to pull off a gutsy win.

The trio turned in top games with support from Zade Murphy, Matthew Wilkie and Hal Titmarsh while Jack Kelly, James Sullivan, Nathan Khalil, Brandon Fisher and Chris Worsley shone for the Cougars.

* * *

TOP junior Brodie Monroe produced an outstanding performance to steer Five Dock RSL to an emphatic 40-20 victory over Renown United in U/16 Div 1.

The talented Balmain Harold Matthews Cup utility turned the match with three tries after the break to help the Dockers capture their first title as a team since 2004.

Balmain Junior League life member Jack King with Five Dock RSL U/16 Div 1 winning skipper and Player of the Match Brodie Monroe. TWT on-the-spot PHOTOS.

Monroe was dynamic at five eighth with support from centre Joel Luani, fullback Lachlan Jenson, half Gerard McCallum and forwards Alex Carrozzi, Jesse Hewitt and Phil Senico.

Renown were best served by half Luke Pickerd, lock Josh Peden, Nathan Green and versatile forward Ben Musolino.

In other Grand Finals, Cromer defeated North Ryde on the bell 16-12 in North Sydney A Reserve Grade; Brighton Seagulls downed Arncliffe Scots 24-22 in U/13 Div 2; Kingsgrove Colts beat Concord-Burwood 18-14 in U/15 Div 2 and Kingsgrove edged out Arncliffe 24-22 in U/17s.

Cup double for Holy Cross cubs

HOLY Cross Gold U/9 Div 1 rugby league whiz kids capped a memorable 2008 season after toppling rivals Strathfield Raiders Black 12-6 at the Balmain Junior League Grand Finals last weekend at Leichhardt Oval.

Pictured are the premiership-winning Rhinos that captured the Arthur McIlveen Memorial Trophy - Billy Stapleton, Lachlan Camroux , Scott Brooks, Ethan Higgins, Mateo Tatola, Matthew Taylor, Will Bradley, Curtis Wilson, Bennett Wheelhouse, Luke Jones, Bailey Smith and Bailey Carrington with manager Mick Bradley, coach Brett Wheelhouse and trainer Craig Carrington. TWT on-the-spot PHOTO.

Bennett Wheelhouse was named Player of the Match after producing a super defensive effort and setting up the winning try for Wilson with a neat pass.

It was a second major trophy for this talented Rhinos side that earlier in the year won the Robbie Farah Challenge Shield.

The well drilled Raiders and Rhinos turned in a fine exhibition of copybook tackling and thrilled the crowd with enterprising play in attack. Other Rhinos to shine were skipper Camroux, Brooks, Tatola, Stapleton, Wilson and Smith.

Strathfield were best served by halves Roddy Villar and Dante Lusio, hooker Dorian Yarak, forward Samuel Hai and centre James Daher.

Pride on the line for Sheens’ Tigers

BALMAIN-Ryde Eastwood rugby league team kept their faint semi final hopes alive after eclipsing Auckland 30-26 in a VB NSW Cup at Mt Smart Stadium No 2 last weekend.

Paul Fletcher’s patched -up Tigers showed tons of character against an experienced Vulcans side in a bruising encounter - collecting two valuable competition points.

Talented fullback Rhys Hanbury secured a win for the Tigers with three minutes left on the clock when he backed up a rampaging Ben Te’o to score his second try of the match and convert.

Tigers’ forwards Alan Schirnack, Jarred Farlow, David Gower and Ryan Tandy, half Steve Moses and centre Gavin Cowan also turned in strong games.

Auckland led 18-12 at the interval but the Tigers soon levelled the scores with a second try to winger Billy Callaway off a well placed Hanbury kick.

Both sides traded tries in the second stanza before the Vulcans edged ahead 26-24 via a Jones penalty goal. But the Tigers rallied with Te’o and Hanbury combining for a crucial try in the dying moments.

Balmain-Ryde Eastwood face a crunch match this Saturday against co-leaders Wentworthville at Leichhardt Oval.

BALMAIN-RYDE EASTWOOD 30 (B Callaway 2, R Hanbury 2, G Cowan tries; R Hanbury 4, S Moses gls) d AUCKLAND 26 (R Shortland 2, E Uasi, J Pai, S Metcalf tries; J Jones 3 gls).

* * *

WESTS Tigers’ 2008 finals campaign was left in tatters after a crushing 48-16 loss to high flying Manly last Saturday at ANZ Stadium.

Heavy losses to Parramatta and the Sea Eagles in recent weeks have sent the Tigers tumbling out of finals reckoning with coach Tim Sheens set to wield the axe.

The Tigers are out to restore lost pride when they host the Sharks this Friday night at Leichhardt Oval.

Reds stay unbeaten

DRUMMOYNE Rugby Club completed the first clean sweep of all teams in more than four years by defeating Beecroft 25-22 at a muddy Headen Park last Saturday.

The perfect result secured the NSW Suburban Division One Club Championship, which the Dirty Reds last won in 2004.

Drummoyne’s top three grades have qualified for the semi-finals, with firsts taking out the minor premiership in an undefeated season.

The top of the table Kentwell Cup clash mirrored a tight first round encounter. Drummoyne centre Pule Mesa scored an early try in the corner, but were held scoreless for the rest of the half as Beecroft established an 8-5 lead at the break.

Drummoyne trailed 22-5 but rallied with two tries to prop Tuainafua Veiru and winger Josh Asuausa to level the scores with five minutes to go.

A penalty goal by scrum half Ben Leaupepe secured the win and an undefeated season. The two teams meet again in the major semi-final.

Drummoyne seconds crushed Beecroft 42-5 with lock Will Fitzpatrick’s strong running a feature.

The Reds’ top three grades will compete in the semi-finals this Saturday at David Phillips Field, Daceyville.

Reds number eight Trent Tapps takes a lineout in the tight battle with Beecroft. Photo by Dayne Mathews.

Pride of Ravens soccer

GLADESVILLE Ravens U/14 Div 3 soccer team have completed a bumper 2008 season by capturing both the Gladesville-Hornsby Association premiership and championship titles.

Under the guidance of astute coach Con Kokkaris and manager Christine Black, the Ravens downed Kenthurst 1-0 in a hard fought Grand Final at Meadowbank Park with Sasha Hunt scoring the match-winner. The team went through the competition undefeated - nabbing 54 goals while conceding only 7 and are the first Ravens outfit to achieve this feat since 1984.

Last Ravens team to go through the season undefeated and win both titles was over six years ago. Pictured celebrating their Grand Final triumph with coach Kokkaris and manager Christine are squad members Julian Christodoulou (captain), Christian Alessi, Brad Amery, Cameron Black, Dylan Carter, Corey Davidson, Jeremy Di Fazio, Sasha Hunt, Michael Kokkaris, Brendon Leon, Chrys Maoudis, Joshua Norris, Gianpaolo Santoro, Harry Tonkin and Anthony Volpicella.

Power AFL Anniversary

Drummoyne Power AFL Club is turning 10 and planned celebrations include an anniversary Dinner and Sponsors Night to be held this Friday at Canada Bay Club.

Guest speakers include super coach Kevin Sheedy AM and AFL Hall of Fame legend Harry Beitzel. Tickets $65 per head or tables of ten for $650 include dinner and drinks.

Memorabilia auction and raffle prizes feature a 2008 AFL Grand Final package including airfares and accommodation.

All welcome. Inquiries Drummoyne JAFC president Darren Lewtas 0414 847 959 or www.drummoynepower.com

Eastwood Ryde Netball Finals

Holmans RetraVision ERNA Semi Finals: 11/1: St.G d NRS 27-7; D/Cent d C/Flames 24-14; 11/2: NRRSL d Ravens 29-27;D/Utd d NRS 17-4; 11/3:RRSLR d Ravens 24-17;NRRSL d NRS 28-16; 11/4: Villa d Ravens 11-10;YMCA d St.K 18-10; 12/1: NRS d St.G 26-21; Flames d NRRSLYC 30-15; 12/2: D/Cent d D/Utd 19-8;OLQP d NRRSLYC 26-17; 12/3: R/Ladybirds d RRSLR 23-15;Villa d Ravens 26-19; 12/4: Santa d Alex 13-9;St.K d OLMC 14-11; 13/1: D/Utd d NRRSLYC 30-21;Santa d NRRSLYC 28-18; 13/2: RRSLR d YMCA 13-12;NRRSLYC d WRR 25-22; 13/3: OLMC d Santa 21-7;W/Wich d Flames 27-25; 14/1: NRRSLYC d WRR 38-26;Flames d WRR 30-28; 14/2: Santa d D/Utd 39-18;Santa d NRRSLYC 44-11; 14/3: Santa d W/Wich 20-14;OLMC d M/BB 27-12; 15/1: WRR d D/Central 44-33;Flames d D/Utd 49-39; 15/2: RRSLR d E/Utd 42-28;OLMC d D/Utd 33-22 15/3: OLMC d YMCA 51-21;Alexanders d Santa 26-10; CDT 1: Alexanders d WRR 47-32;Flames d D/Utd 38-13; CDT 2: WRR d D/Utd 35-30;WRR d W/Wich 53-17; CDT 3: NRRSLYC d E/Eagles 43-37;Flames d RRSLR 27-17; CDT 4: M/BB d WRR 38-37;D/Utd d YMCA 35-29; A/1: Spirits d YMCA 37-36; Woolwich d WRR 56-51 A/2: WRR d NRRSLS 44-36;WRR d Flames 57-36; B/1: WRR 5 d WRR 6 54-44;OLMC d YMCA 46-23; B/2: Woolwich d NRS 47-40;Flames d E/Rugby 44-39; B/3: NR RSL d Spirits 38-27; E Rugby d D United 32-31.

B/4: D United d NRRSL 48-44; WRR d Santa 48-42 C/1: E/Rugby d Aquarians 41-39;NRRSLS d E/Utd 40-30; C/2: Ravens 4 d Ravens 3 58-31; D United d E Eagles 55-35 C/3: E Rugby d St K 38-25; NRRSL d D United 48-27. C/4: D/Utd d Flames 45-41;NRRSLS d E/Rugby 38-31; C/5: WRR d MD Sts. 53-46;Eastwood XL d Woolwich 40-16; C/6: Ravens d 61-20; D united d M Bluebells 40-33. C/7: NRRSL d Aquarians 43-19; Alex d Ravens 40-27. D: D/Utd d Ravens 36-33;D/Utd d St. G 34-30.
FINALS: 11/1: D/Cent d NRS 15-5; 11/2: Ravens dD/Utd 20-17; 11/3: NRRSL d Ravens 21-18; 11/4: YMCA d Ravens 12-8; 12/1: St.G d Flames 19-16; 12/2: D/Utd d OLQP 26-22; 12/3: RRSLR d Villa 27-22; 12/4: Alex d St.K 15-7; 13/1: NRRSLYC d Santa 38-32; 13/2: NRRSLYC d YMCA 21-20; 13/3: Santa d W/wich 21-17; 14/1: WRR d Flames 30-12; 14/2: D/Utd d Santa 30-29; 14/3: W/Wich d OLMC 25-22; 15/1: Flames d D/Cent 42-32;15/2: E/Utd d OLMC 43-32; 15/3: YMCA d Alexanders 45-23;CDT 1: WRR d Flames 41-35; CDT 2: D/Utd d WRR 34-22;CDT 3: E/Eagles d Flames 41-31; CDT 4: D/Utd d WRRovers 44-37;A/1: YMCA d Woolwich 78-57.

A/2: WRR d Flames 38-20;B/1: OLMC d WRR 51-46; B/2: NRS d Flames 40-29;B/3: NR RSL d D United 43-42. B/4: WRR d NRRSL 47-46;C/1: E/Utd d E/Rugby 43-37; C/2: Ravens d D United 36-27;C/3: E Rugby d D United 38-32. C/4: Flames d;NRRSLS 46-33;C/5: Eastwood XL d MDS 31-27; C/6: M Bluebells d Ravens 35-29;C/7: Ravens d NRRSL 44-31; D: Ravens d D/Utd 44-22;

Tigers legends at Charity Sports lunch

BALMAIN rugby league legends Paul Sironen (pictured) and Gary Freeman are guest speakers at this Friday’s Sportsmen’s Charity luncheon at the Hunters Hill Club, 12 Madeline Street, Hunters Hill from 11.30am.

The former Tigers’ internationals will take a trip down memory lane as they recall the highs and lows and funnier moments of their distinguished football careers.

Sironen of North Ryde played a record 246 first grade games during an eventful 13 seasons with the Balmain club.

He played 21 Tests for Australia and is one of only four forwards in history to make three Kangaroo tours after making an impact in England and France with the 1986, 1990 and 1994 Ashes-winning teams.

Big “Sirro” - who played in Australia’s 1992 World Cup-winning side - played his junior football with the Gladesville Sports and North Ryde Hawks.

Today he is a director on the Balmain Football Club board and last Saturday coached the Holy Cross Rhinos to an U/12 Balmain Junior League premiership win over Concord-Burwood Wolves at Leichhardt Oval.

Sironen was named in the Balmain and Wests Tigers’ and Balmain Junior League Teams of the Century, North Ryde’s Jubilee Team of the Half Century and inducted into the Tigers’ Hall of Fame.

Gary ‘Whiz’ Freeman played in Balmain’s 1988 and ‘89 Grand Final teams and was regarded as one of the most competitive half backs in the game, captaining New Zealand in the Test arena before coaching the Kiwis’ national team in 2001-02.

The popular Fox Sports commentator played a total of 151 games during stints with Balmain, Easts, Penrith and Parramatta and took out the Dally M Player of the Year Award in 1992.

Joining Sironen and Freeman at the Sports-men’s Luncheon will be Wallaby and ACT Brumbies back Mark Gerrard and rugby identity Peter O’Meara.

Channel 9 sports commentator Andrew Voss will MC the event with veteran comedian Ray Seagar to entertain.

Tickets $90 include two course lunch and drinks. Auction proceeds on the day will benefit the Giant Steps charity. Bookings and inquiries 9817-3324.

History of Gladesville Bowling & Sports Club

GLADESVILLE Sporties will launch the book “The Story of the Beginnings and the First Fifty Years - a History of Gladesville Bowling & Sports Club” written by Les Chambers during a cocktail celebration in the Club auditorium tomorrow (Thursday) at 2.30pm.

Highlight will be a ten minute video of the Club’s history compiled by the Sporties’ senior vice president John Gibson. Special guests include former rugby league international fullback Frank Drake, a product of the Gladesville Junior Football Club who went on to represent Balmain, Easts, Queensland and two Tests for Australia in 1961-62.

* * *

| TOP |