SPORTSNEWS

with Chris Karas

Balmain’s Young Gun Tourists

BALMAIN’S Under 14 rugby league ‘Young Guns’ and U/17 rep squads embarked on end-of-season tours of northern NSW, Gold Goast and Northern Territory this week. Pictured at last Thursday’s Gear Night at Balmain Leagues Club with Balmain Development Manager David Kelly, U/14 and Harold Matthews Cup coach Ken Stapleton, U/17s mentor Robert Whyte and S.G Ball coach David Brooks are Tigers’ U/14 vice captain Andrew Kazzi and skipper Alex Vlahos; U/17s deputy Joel Brooks and touring captain David O’Neill. The U/14 Young Guns will play Ballina for the Clae Webb Shield before competing in the Southport Cup this weekend. The U/17s tackle Northern Territory Academy and Katherine Tigers U/18s. TWT on-the-spot PHOTO.

Moss inspires first-up win

MAJESTIC half centuries from skipper Jon Moss and rising colt James Crosthwaite piloted Sydney first grade cricket team to a resounding victory over Parramatta in the opening round of the 2008-09 Sydney grade competition last Saturday at Old Kings Oval.

It was business as usual for the talented Moss, a former Victorian first-class Player of the Year, who top scored with 88 and shared a fourth wicket stand of 145 with the emerging Crosthwaite (69 not out).

Chasing Parramatta’s tally of 6-216 in the limited overs clash, the Tigers (4-217) lost the early wickets of Anthony Brooks (19), pinch-hitter Nathan Ball (8) and Tim Sparke (12) with 55 runs on the board before cruising to an impressive first-up triumph.

Moss faced 106 balls and smashed 13 boundaries and a six during his stint at the crease with ACT rep Crosthwaite - one of the best young wicket-keper/batsmen in the State - hitting five boundaries and a six during his unbeaten 77-ball knock.

Sri Lankan international Russel Arnold finished 11 not out and will now head to India for the next five weeks to compete in the rebel ICL Twenty20 series before returning to the Tigers in mid-November.

Earlier in the day, all rounders Darren Ettridge and Albury Steyn turned in sharp performances with the ball to restrict Parramatta to 216 off their allotted 50 overs.

Ettridge, a major recruit from Bankstown, snared 3-49 off ten overs to cap a solid debut for Sydney while swing merchant Ball (1-18 off five) and South African seamer Steyn (1-14 off six) bowled tidy spells to lend fine support.

It was a big day for the Tigers who recorded wins in first, third, fourth and fifth grade over Parramatta to launch their Club Championship bid on a positive note.

Sydney fifth grade X1 opened their campaign with a bonus point victory over Parramatta.

Easts recruit and captain Andrew Rollins (4-20) and Phil Caruso (4-40) starred with the ball as the Tigers made a spectacular start to the new season.

The Tigers meet Eastern Suburbs in a two day clash this holiday weekend on Saturday and next Monday at Waverley Oval.

ECONDS: Parramatta 9-220 (L Forbes 51, R Hearn 29, Nidhu Gotadke 2-35) d Sydney 159 (Andrew Watkins 52, Gregg Everest 34, R Rizwan 3-35, N Chant 2-21, B Monaghan 2-21).

THIRDS: Sydney 5-131 (D Jacob 40, A Mosca 30, J Bancroft 25no) d Parramatta 129 (L Trudgett 35, N Bertus 29no, Pat Little 3-25).

FOURTHS: Sydney 6-171 (Matt Grice 77no, A Joseph 26, A Prior 2-26, A Rizwan 2-32) d Parramatta 170 (J Astill 43no, A Dudderidge 27, L Muthamudalige 25, M Grice 3-30, James Pryde 3-37).

FIFTHS: Sydney 150 (Ben Matthews 35, Norm Abdal 26, J Cook 2-21, A Child 2-22, C Ashby 2-23) d Parramatta 85 (K Milne 28, C Ashby 26no, Andrew Rollins 4-20, Phil Caruso 4-40).

Record stand for Phil and Dan

CONCORD RSL Seniors Cricket Club have opened the 2008-09 Gladesville Cricket Association competition in record-breaking fashion.

Playing in a B Grade fixture against Silent Warriors at Westminster Park, Concord batsmen Phil McLeod (183 not out) and Daniel Brown (146 not out) created history by scoring whirlwind centuries in a comprehensive victory.

McLeod, 45, capped a memorable debut by figuring in a record second wicket partnership of 325 with promising teenager Brown as Concord RSL posted a massive total of 1 dec 400 from 40 overs on the opening day of the season.

It was a magnificent display from McLeod - a former Sydney University and North Sydney second grade keeper-batsman - who smashed 35 boundaries in a stunning debut. 18 year old Brown, who played his junior cricket with Concord and Holy Cross, was just as impressive with the bat - cracking 19 boundaries in a chanceless knock to register his maiden century for the club.

The pair unveiled an array of shots to all parts of the ground as they combined to eclipse the previous District B Grade record of 266 - set by Hunters Hill batsmen Eric Pendleton and David Dean during the 1952-53 season.

Meanwhile gun all rounder Ian Janda produced a magical performance to steer Gladesville RSL Gold to an outright win over RSL Green at Monash Park.

Janda clouted an unbeaten 152 and snared eight wickets - including 5-1 in a stunning two over spell - to earn Player of the Match honors.

Other centurions were Mick Harrison (138) for Ryde-Hunters Hill; Justin McHugh who cracked 121 for Gladesville Indoor against NSW Tamils Green and young Balmain batsman Craig Doughan (100 not out) against Callan Park with top knocks from Mugunthan Siva (95), Paul Wiggins (71), Luke Smith (68) and Andrew Kennedy (62).

Bowling honors were shared by Holy Cross pace ace Tim Story, who grabbed 8-27 against South West United in A Grade; Charles Hamieh (7-78), Robert Burke (6-50 & 3-44) and Tony Campey (5-11).

A GRADE: (Round 1) Holy Cross Crusaders 6 dec 179 (David Naylor 40, Tim Story 39, Richard Lucas 38, Damian Kennedy 28, Stefan Psarros 2-29, B Moffett 1-28, N Makaritis 1-36, C Makaritis 1-36, T Panteli 1-38) d South West United 83 (S Psarros 39, P Zuvela 12, Steve Spackman 4-23, Mitch Harrison 3-8, Ben Slade 1-22, T Story 1-28) & 57 (S Psarros 36, T Story 8-27, Ben Slade 1-30) outright; Breakfast Point/Indefatigables 142 (Tony Seale 27, Mike Naranayan 22, Kieren Purnell 15, Andrew Browne 13) d Balmain A 44 (Danny Fowler 3-7, Lachlan Edwards 2-6) & 50 (Jithin Kesavan 3-19, Jono Wright 2-14) outright; Ryde-Hunters Hill (3) 300 (Luke Smith 68, Pranav Chopra 46, Sunny Bhandari 40, Anil Nair 34, Mike Vasavada 30, Sunny Bangia 12, Kanu Partha 11, Rob Hayes 10, Charles Hamieh 7-78, J Fernandez 1-38) d NSW Tamils Brown 271 (Mugunthan Siva 95, S Patel 43, J Fernandez 35, P Siva 34, A Maheswaram 24, K Partha 3-54, M Vasavada 3-57, Ali Rupesh 1-22); Gladesville RSL Gold 5 dec 326 (Ian Janda 152no, Andrew Kennedy 62, Mark Chocula 45, George Apostolidis 41) d Gladesville RSL Green 159 (I Janda 3-32) & 54 (I Janda 5-1) outright.

B GRADE: (Round 1) Concord RSL 1 dec 400 (P McLeod 183no, D Brown 146no, S Kennan 44) d Silent Warriors 200 (Kevin Smith 43, Craig Martin 34, Tony Clews 26, Patrick Walker 23, Alex Colquhoun 16no, Andrew Pelasio 12); Gladesville Indoor 6 dec 288 (Justin McHugh 121, Paul Wiggins 71, Matt Dornan 21, Ram Krishnan 21, Ian Economos 20no) & 1-25 d NSW Tamils Green 188 (Matt Falzon 4-49, R Krishnan 3-43, Rob Burke 3-44) & 139 (R Burke 6-50, M Falzon 2-36, Dan Jovanovich 1-0); Ryde-Hunters Hill (2) 6 dec 215 (Mick Harrison 138, Peter Curran 18) drew with Ryde-Hunters Hill (1) 7-134 (Joe Zaouk 45, M Harrison 2-17); Callan Park 159 (Joe Cavallaro 27, Adam Litchfield 25, Amah Imam 23) d Balmain B 66 (Tony Campey 5-11, Dave Smith 2-5) & 2-183 (Craig Doughan 100no).

RECORD-breaking tons - Daniel Brown and Phil McLeod of Concord RSL B Grade cricket team.

Rugby tips from Mark Ella

WALLABY great Mark Ella and World Cup-winning rugby coach Bob Dwyer visited Boronia Park recently to conduct a clinic with the Hunters Hill Junior Rugby Club. They are pictured at Boronia Park Oval with promising juniors from the club’s U/13 age group who embark on a tour of Japan this week. The U/13s, who finished runners up in both the Metropolitan North Zone A & B Divisions this season, will play games on tour against school and club teams with a hope of forming relationships with Japanese sides that will see reciprocal visits and to lay a path for Hunters Hill teams of this age to travel to Japan on a regular basis. Ella and Dwyer took the boys through a drills and skills session for an hour and a half in preparation for the trip -much to the delight of the kids.

Farah shines against Kumuls

STAR Wests Tigers hooker Robbie Farah pushed his claims for World Cup selection with a crafty display for the Australian Prime Minister’s X111 against Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby last weekend.

Farah scored a try and was at his skilful best as the Australian side recorded a 54-30 victory over the Kumuls in oppressive conditions at Lloyd Robson Oval.

Hampered by injury in recent seasons, Farah has had limited opportunities on the representative scene but showed his wares against a competitive Kumuls outfit.

Tigers’ team-mates Chris Lawrence (2 tries) and Chris Heighington also turned in strong performances for the Prime Minister’s X111.

Meanwhile the Wests Tigers have re-signed talented winger Beau Ryan on a new two year contract.

The speedy back scored eight tries in 15 top grade appearances this season and offers utility value with his ability to also play centre and fullback.

But the Tigers have released Kiwi international forward Bronson Harrison (pictured) from the final year of his contract.

Harrison, a Five Dock RSL and Leichhardt Wanderers junior product and member of the Tigers’ 2005 premiership-winning squad, has signed a three year deal with Canberra.

The 22 year old forward is the second Wests Tigers player to join the club after hooker Stuart Flanagan agreed to a contract with the Raiders earlier this year.

Devils clinch PANPAC water polo trophy

DRUMMOYNE Water Polo Club has collected gold at the 2008 Panasonic Pan Pacific Youth Festival in Auckland - recording a 5-3 victory over North Harbour in the Girls Under 14 final.

In a nail biting finish the Devils staved off a strong Kiwi challenge to capture the trophy.

Drummoyne captain Stephanie Polivka opened the scoring with a penalty before North Harbour drew level. Goals from Devils’ stars Maddy Wilson and tournament MVP Shannan Martin gave Drummoyne a two goal cushion at half time.

North Harbour came out firing in the third quarter to tie the game up at 3-3 but Drummoyne edged ahead midway through the final quarter with a goal to Karlee Asseff before Wilson scored her second goal in the final stages.

The Drummoyne girls receiving a rousing reception from the predominant NZ crowd and winning gold has capped off a great year for the young team after winning silver in three tournaments during the season.

“The girls were impressive throughout the entire tournament and the experience they gained will be invaluable,” said former Australian rep Jenny MacGregor who coached the team this year.

“The Drummoyne club has some wonderful junior talent who are an important component in the club’s future success as it plans to enter the National League Womens competition.”

The successful season was made sweeter by the fact that all the girls have come though Drummoyne’s highly successful sub junior water polo development program. The program which started soon after the Sydney Olympics has become one of the most successful junior water polo programs in Australia.

Drummoyne’s champion Under 14 Pan-Pacificteam was:
Stephanie Calaizis, Ste-phanie Polivka, Ellen Hahn, Jade McLennan, Karlee Assef, Shannan Martin, Stephanie El Safty, Harriet Allan, Fiona Walsh, Maddy Wilson, Kelsey Baxter and Isabella Mercuri.

Hornsby Lawn Bowls Cup

NORTH Epping Bowling Club took out the prestigious Hornsby Cup lawn bowls tournament last Saturday.

Sponsored by Hornsby Shire Council, the Cup is contested annually by the ten lawn bowling clubs located within Hornsby shire. North Epping won all of its games - singles, pairs, triples and fours - the only club to record four wins. Asquith Bowling Club were runners-up. North Epping President Craig Watford hailed the win as a tremendous result, adding to this year’s Grade 3 pennants triumph in Sydney’s north-west Zone 10.

“Our small Club is focussed on providing bowlers of all capabilities with the opportunity to develop their bowling skills within a distinctly social environment” he said.

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JOHN Knight, Greg Knight and David Pope (pictured) were crowned 2008 Ryde City Bowling Club Triples champions after defeating the combination of Mick Smyth, Max Byrne and Greg Carroll in the final.

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GLADESVILLE Sporties lawn bowler Tony Beno (pictured right) took out this year’s Major Singles championship with a victory over runner up Jim Hiotellis. Meanwhile club patrons can still purchase a copy of Gladesville Bowling & Sports Club’s Golden Jubilee history book “The Story of the Beginnings and the First Fifty Years.” Compiled by club stalwarts Les Chambers and senior vice president John Gibson, the book is available through the club for only $5.

Free Sports STAR activities

COME along and participate in FREE sports, singing and dancing these school holidays at Sydney Olympic Park until Friday October 10.

You can play soccer, tennis, cricket, handball, football, netball, volleyball, baseball, hockey and athletics from 10am to 2pm or cool off in the Super Soaker Challenge.

Sing and dance with local identity Roseanne Gallo and the STARS.

To obtain a FREE ticket just email to: info@STARStv.com.au

Start sport with Sports STAR - getting kids healthy, active and energised.

The Sports Star website www. SportsStar.com.au has over 100 Sports Skills Cards with music to match the skills in different languages: Chinese, Korean, German, French, Spanish and Japanese. Touch a button and play the game. For further details contact Andrew Hill 0418 406 921.

Mini Tag launch

RYDE Rugby Club will kick off their Mini Tag season next month at Gannan Park in Buna Court Ryde.

Mini Tag is a new game in town for boys and girls aged from U/6s to U/16s and is a mixture of touch football and rugby but with tags that are attached to a player via a Velcro belt.

This new game is the brainchild of the NSW Rugby Union and is designed to promote fitness levels and develop passing and running skills.

“We believe “MiniTag” will fill a void for boys and girls who play winter sports such as rugby union, rugby league, soccer, netball and hockey but either don’t play any organised summer sport or aren’t happy with the options currently available to them - which means they are not getting any fitness training over the summer period” says Ryde Rugby president Graham Ferguson.
“Consequently, when start of the next winter season rolls around it’s hard work to get a good level of fitness back again.”

“It is also for kids that like to have fun as the rules are simple and easy to learn and our team of helpers will guide new players through the learning process. You can register a whole team or register individually and we’ll find a team for you” he added.

The “MiniTag” competition will be played on Monday nights at Gannan Park Ryde and commences on October 27 and runs through to December 8 with a break for Christmas - restarting on February 2, 2009 and finishing on February 23. Registration and trials start on October 13 and October 20 from 4pm. Fees $50 per player.

Registration includes insurance and a team T-shirt. For more details check the Ryde Rugby website at www.ryde.rugbynet.com.au or phone Graham Ferguson 0415160974.

Partland wins TS 16 Sail

MAIN focus was on the TS 16 Hartley event last weekend at the Drummoyne Sailing Club.

Winner off scratch was Uncle Roy, sailed by reigning champion Eric Partland who won by a whisker from Tranquil with Neil Johnson at the helm. Third spot went to Rapscallion.

However on handicap Neil Johnson’s Tranquil was the winner from Silver Fox sailed by Trevor Bell with Triple G Cruising John Gillard finishing third.

Moore Delloite Touche Tomatsu came off a scratch start to grab victory in the 16 ft Skiff handicap event in the dying seconds from Austex Marine Fabrics with David Mitchell at the helm. Third spot was Brett Pollitt’s Benton Real Estate.

Austex took full advantage of its handicap time and looked the likely winners until the experienced crew of Moore skiff loomed up to grab victory on the line.

Drummoyne Sailing club welcomes the general public to the Club and provides first class service and fine food.

DR ROGER VANDERFIELD

Royal Rehabilitation Centre Ryde is mourning the death of its former chairman Dr Roger Vanderfield OBE (pictured) last Thursday at the age of 80.

His funeral service will be held this Friday at Macquarie Park Crematorium Camellia Chapel at 12.30pm.

Dr Vanderfield was appointed Chairman of the Board of Royal Rehabilitation Centre Sydney in February 1994 having joined the Board in 1987. He had been General Medical Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer of the Royal North Shore Hospital from 1964 to 1986, and later the General Medical Superintendent.

Dr Vanderfield had a unique record of involvement in Rugby Union as both a player and referee at State and International level. He was also appointed Australian representative to the International Rugby Union Board in 1973, and was Australia‚s longest serving representative on the world body.

As president of the Australian and NSW Rugby Unions, he combined a most distinguished career as a referee and a Rugby and Medical administrator. Dr Vanderfield had a long and distinguished careeer with NSW Rugby both on and off the field. He refereed more than 1260 matches including a representative career that incorporated 14 Tests and 18 other Internationals.

One of the great achievements in sport for this remarkable man, was to work with Sir Nicholas Shehadie to start the Rugby World Cup in 1987.

Royal Rehab’s Clive Austin had the privilege of serving with Dr Vanderfield as his Vice Chairman. Clive Austin is now Chairman of the Rehab Board.

“Dr Vanderfield had enormous passion for the Centre and his under-standing of the clinical services required for the provision of best practice rehabilitation, were a legacy of his leadership. His drive to provide the best possible outcome for clients, and his enthusiasm to attract and develop research set a benchmark for the continuing work of the Board and the Rehab Centre.” said Clive Austin Chairman Royal Rehab.

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