with Chris Karas
Grand Final Forum
TIGERS and North Ryde Hawks legend Ron Ryan will compere the annual Balmain Junior League Sportsmen’s Luncheon on Friday August 7 at Le Montage Lilyfield from 12 noon.
Ron is pictured right at the recent Balmain-Ryde Eastwood Sportsmen’s Dinner at Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club with Tigers’ 2008 Hall of Fame inductee John Davidson and daughter Kate Davidson and Wests Tigers skipper and NSW Origin hooker Robbie Farah.
The dinner was a huge success and helped raise funds for stricken Balmain-Ryde Eastwood forward Matt Davidson, the 20 year old son of John, and the Men of League organisation.
The BJL Luncheon will take on a 1989 Grand Final theme with Canberra legends Mal Meninga, Laurie Daley, Brad Clyde and Gary Belcher to lock horns with Tigers greats Benny Elias, Paul Sironen and Steve ‘Blocker’ Roach in a Sporting Forum. TWT on-the-spot PHOTO.
Legends of ‘89 at Luncheon
By CHRIS KARAS
MODERN day rugby league greats will relive one of the greatest Grand Finals ever staged at the annual Balmain Junior League Sportsmen’s Luncheon on Friday August 7 at Le Montage Lilyfield from 12 noon.
The 1989 title decider between Balmain and Canberra is etched in league folklore and widely regarded as the best of all time.
Now some of the biggest names in rugby league will come together to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Canberra’s historic premiership win at the Sydney Football Stadium.
Balmain legends Benny Elias, Paul Sironen and Steve ‘Blocker’ Roach go head to head with Raiders’ greats Mal Meninga, Laurie Daley, Bradley Clyde and Gary Belcher in a Sporting Forum that is sure to rekindle bitter-sweet memories.
Former Balmain playmaker Ron Ryan will compere the event along with 2GB “Continuous Call” personality Darryl Brohman and premiership-winning forward Paul Clarke.
Tickets now on sale at $125 per head and includes three course meal and drinks plus entertainment by popular comedian Vince Sorrenti. You can purchase by contacting your local Balmain junior club as $45 per seat goes back to the club when they book.
MEANWHILE Wests Tigers skipper Robbie Farah experienced a ‘horror’ week at representative and club level with demoralising losses in the space of three days.
An out-of-sorts Farah turned in a below-par performance for NSW at ANZ Stadium as Queensland clinched a record fourth consecutive State of Origin series.
He tried hard in a 21-10 loss to pacesetters St George-Illawarra at SFS last Friday but the Tigers now face an uphill task of qualifying for the 2009 NRL finals.
They line up against traditional rivals South Sydney this Saturday at ANZ Stadium at 5.30pm in a do-or-die clash.
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BALMAIN-Ryde Eastwood suffered a 36-35 loss to Windsor in a high scoring NSW Cup clash last Saturday at Windsor Sports Complex.
Forwards Jared Farlow and David Gower, Rhys Hanbury and Josh Lewis played strongly for the Tigers.
* * *
FORMER Holy Cross team mates Darren Nicholls and Jake Marketo came face to face in a quality Toyota Cup clash at SFS last Friday.
St George forward Marketo - the son of ex-Balmain stalwart prop Mike Marketo - led the second placed Dragons U/20s to a 26-18 victory over Wests Tigers.
He lined up against Nicholls, the Tigers’ skilful halfback and skipper, and another former Rhinos team mate in Liam Roach.
Nicholls, Robert Lui and Simon Dwyer scored tries and Jake Mullaney booted three goals for the fourth placed Tigers.
Paul Sironen
Balmain Junior League 2009
UNDER 9 Div 1: Leichhardt Wanderers Red 54 North Ryde 6; Dundas Shamrocks Yellow 44 Holy Cross 6; Five Dock RSL (bye); Div 3: Shamrocks Green 56 Concord-Burwood Maroon 6; Wanderers White 20 Carlingford Cougars 16.
UNDER 10 Div 1: Holy Cross Gold 50 Wanderers Red 0; Concord-Burwood Maroon 20 Wanderers Black 18; Holy Cross Maroon 22 North Ryde 16;
UNDER 12 Div 1: Wanderers 50 Shamrocks Yellow 0; Concord-Burwood Blue 42 Concord-Burwood Maroon 4;
UNDER 13: Holy Cross 34 Wanderers 6; Concord-Burwood 30 Leichhardt Juniors 8; North Ryde 40 Balmain PCYC 4; Shamrocks 50 Cougars 6.
UNDER 14: North Ryde 38 Wanderers 6; Shamrocks 60 Concord-Burwood 6; Five Dock RSL 54 Holy Cross Maroon 8.
Kiwi Henry in fine form
HUNTERS HILL Rugby’s march towards promotion continued last weekend at Boronia Park Oval with five commanding victories over Hills Rugby Club in the NSW Suburban competition.
The Hillies first grade XV produced their first shut-out in a number of years, punishing Hills 45-0 in muddy conditions to preserve their unbeaten home record.
It was a fine team effort with the fitness of the forward pack and pace in the backline picking the Hills team apart. New Zealand pair Sam McLennan and Sam Henry scored 25 points between them as the Black & Whites looked to attack at every opportunity.
With number 8 Alex Light, flyhalf Dave Marshall and outside backs Dan Casa and Matt Lane also crossing, Hillies looked in great form with Player of the Match Henry booting five goals.
In second grade Alex Vertoudakis continued his irresistible form at openside flanker in a 14-8 victory, his first as captain. With Jono Gelling celebrating his 100th grade match in the thirds, Hunters Hill continued their unbeaten run with a 33-0 drubbing. The Thirds have yet to concede a try at home in 2009.
With a number of players returning from either injury or retirement Hunters Hill fourths bounced back with a 24-0 triumph. Hayden Brown stood out as the anchor of the scrum while talented Scott Keenan enjoyed some extra space at outside centre. Hunters Hill fifths posted a 19-8 win.
Hunters Hill is gearing up for one of the biggest games of the season this weekend against Balmain at Blackmore Oval Leichhardt.
TWT SPORTS STARS No 1 & 2
Top awards for Aidan & Alicia
AUSTRALIAN water polo representative Aidan Roach of East Ryde and exciting womens soccer prospect Alicia Bass of Gladesville are the first and second monthly winners of the 2009-10 TWT Club Six/Ryde Sports Foundation Sports Star of the Year Award.
Eighteen year old Roach helped Australia qualify for the FINA World League championship in Montenegro while schoolgirl Bass returns tomorrow from Vietnam with the Australian U/14 girls soccer team.
Both will receive their $300 Sports Star of the Month awards this Friday night at North Ryde Golf Club at 6pm.
AIDAN ROACH is one of the young guns in the Drummoyne Devils first grade water polo team that recently clinched the Australian U/23 title.
He was called into the Aussie Sharks national Open mens squad after skilful performances as a driver in the National Water Polo League - nabbing 56 goals to finish one of the leading goalscorers.
“AJ” was one of the star performers as the Devils reached the Grand Final - losing 7-6 to five-time champions Fremantle Mariners at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.
The outstanding teenager later joined clubmate Tim Cleland in preparation for the Asia-Oceania and Auckland sections of the FINA World League in Adelaide and New Zealand. Roach played matches against Iran, New Zealand and Japan to help the Aussies qualify for the competition proper where they finished sixth.
Young Aidan - the son of Balmain rugby league legend and former Test prop Steve Roach - is currently representing Australia at the World University Games in Serbia.
He first played for Drummoyne as a 9 year old and has progressed through the Club’s junior ranks, completing his third National League season.
Along the way, Roach represented NSW and Australia at junior and schoolboy level and was recognised for his outstanding feats in the pool with a NSW CIS Blue Bar.
Club officials named him Player of the Tournament after the Devils’ captured the Australian U/23 trophy - a testimony of his maturity, endurance and skill.
ALICIA BASS is a talented midfielder and gifted all round sportswoman with the soccer world at her feet.
The Year 9 Marist Sisters Woolwich student realised a dream when named in the Australian U/14 touring squad to compete for the Asia Cup in Vietnam last month.
At the time of going to press, the Australian team had recorded a 6-0 win over Singapore with Alicia scoring two goals and losses to Japan (2-0) and Korea (1-0) in heatwave conditions.
Promising Alicia earned selection after attending a four day camp at the Australian Institute of Sport and starring for NSW at the National U/14 Championships in Canberra.
She was vice captain of the champion NSW team that posted wins over Western Australia, Queensland, Victoria, ACT and South Australia and drew with Northern NSW to snare the title.
A Gladesville Ravens junior product, Alicia is a leading player with the North West Sydney Koalas U/14s in the Womens Premier League.
In the summer months, she represents Ryde-Eastwood in touch football and earlier this year helped the Sydney Scorpions win the Regional championship.
Alicia turned in sharp displays to earn a spot in the NSW Merit squad. And the versatile schoolgirl hails from good stock - her mother Margaret represented NSW in womens soccer while her father Craig was regarded as one of the best junior soccer forwards in NSW in his heyday. Her younger brother Matt also helped Ryde Eastwood win the Junior NSW State Cup U/12 Boys touch football title in 2009.
Clean sweep for Mike
NORTH Ryde RSL Club Marketing Manager Michael Borg recorded a clean sweep of winning tips last weekend in the 2009 TWT Footy Tipsters competition.
Michael chose all seven winners in the NRL Round 16 fixtures to propel North Ryde RSL into a share of third spot on 66 with Lane Cove MP Anthony Roberts - two behind The One Eyed Tiger and Putney-Tennyson Bowling Club who lead the table with 68 wins.
TWT Sports Editor and reigning champion Chris Karas is floundering but poised to pounce on 65 with Ryde Ex Services Club and panel of Guest Tipsters. Still in contention are Ryde Eastwood Leagues (64), Gladesville Sporties (63), Bennelong MP Maxine McKew and Concord RSL Club (62) with Ryde MP Victor Dominello (54) determined to off-load the wooden spoon.
Point for Ravens
GLADESVILLE Ravens Premier League mens soccer team moved back into the top four after a 2-2 draw with Epping-Eastwood.
Julian Miller put the Ravens ahead from the penalty spot before the Tigers equalized through an unmarked header at the far post. Ravens appeared to have the three points sewn up after a wonder strike from Dave Brennan gave the home side a 2-1 lead with ten minutes left.
However some controversial refereeing and a scrappy late goal from the Tigers meant the Ravens drew for the seventh time this season. The Ravens need to start putting together a few back to back wins if they’re to reach the play offs.
Junior Twenty20 Cricket Finals
SEMI FINALS: U/10 Div 1 Central Zone: Ryde Hunters Hill Pirates 2-88 (R Chahal 27no) d Balmain 80 (A Dunlop 3-12, Zac Sheffield 2-9); U/10 Div 2: Pirates v Blues (postponed); U/12 Div 1: Ryde Hunters Hill 2-87 (B Adams 52) d Summer Hill 54 (B Adams 2-0, J Needham 2-9); U/14 Div 2: Pirates v Parko’s (game abandoned - to be replayed).
CHS Bowls Carnival
BOMADERRY High School took out the annual NSW Combined High Schools Lawn Bowls Triples Championship hosted recently by Ryde Eastwood Bowling Club.
The south coast team defeated Belmont High School 21-18 in a high standard final after earlier eliminating Nambucca High School in a semi final.
Belmont advanced to the final with a victory over Brisbane Waters College.
The top 16 schools from all parts of NSW competed over two days to decide the champion school.
Participating schools were Nambucca HS, Birrong GHS, Homebush BHS, Kandos HS, Hunter River HS, Caringbah HS, Gunnedah HS, Bomaderry HS, Warilla HS, Brisbane Waters College, Tumut HS, Parkes HS, Belmont HS , Guyra Central, Blaxland HS and Tweed River HS.
The schools played a four team/ four section format with the top school in each section qualifying for the semi finals. Epping BHS sports co-ordinator and carnival organiser Mick Hoban stated the success of the carnival was due to the hard working members of Ryde Eastwood Bowling Club who donated their time to ensure the carnival ran to perfection over the two days.
Ryde Eastwood Bowling Club president Ron Palmer receives banner of appreciation from NSW CHS lawn bowls convenor Gavin Holburn.
Holy Cross Soccer
U/6 Purple: Holy Cross 6 (K Shaw 2, J Bilic 2, L Meredith, M Starr) All Saints Hunters Hill 2; White: Holy Cross 7 (N Perry 3, D Chaseling 2, N Sayegh 2) All Saints 3; U/7 Green: North Ryde 4 Holy Cross 0; Red: All Saints 1 Holy Cross 1 (J Sargeant); White: Holy Cross 9 (A Putro 4, D Donahue 2, E Nicol, Z Hall, D Chaseling) All Saints 2; U/8 Purple: West Pennant Hills 6 Holy Cross 1 (R Nelson); Orange: Holy Cross 11 (F Puric 5, J Murdocca 2, J Zammit 2, D Coary 2) WPH 1; 9/4: Holy Cross 5 (J Rodriguez 2, R Van Drunen, H Nicol, S Begg) North Ryde 0; 10/3: Holy Cross 1 (D Lavery) Saints United 0; 11/3: Roselea 2 Holy Cross 0; 12/5: WPH 4 Holy Cross 1 (P Abi-Saab); 13/3: Holy Cross 3 (D Moscaritolo 2, A Abi-Saab) North Ryde 0; 21/1: Pennant Hills 6 Holy Cross 5 (M Carrett, A Doumanis, D Denaro, M Salloum, K Felton); AA4: Holy Cross 2 (P Galante 2) St Andrews Eastwood 0; AA14: WPH 2 Holy Cross 1 (M Leotta); AA15: Holy Cross 1 (G Williams) West Ryde Rovers 1; AA16: Rovers 11 Holy Cross 6 (R Palazzolo 4, C Kelly, J Menzies); O35/4: Carlingford Redbacks 1 Holy Cross 0.
Eastwood Ryde Netball Roundup
Top Ryde City Shopping Centre major sponsor of Holmans ERNA Netball June 27:
10/1 NRS d D C 7-18, CFlm d RRSLR 26-2, WRR d GRav 16-5, NRS d RRSLR 13-7 10/2 NRRSL d CFlm 15-7, DUtd d Alex 8-5, Villa d WRR 9-7, NRS d CCom 9-6 10/3 OLQP d NRS 13-0, MBB d St G 13-4, St K d MDS 17-1 10/4 NRRSL d GRav 12-1, RRSLR d WRR 8-5, Villa d SSab 8-0, E Eagles d OLQP 15-4 11/1 WRR d NRRSL 35-0, CFlm d NRS 37-2, DUtd d D C 19-14 11/2 St G d Villa 34-25, St K d OLQP 18-3, Flame s d DUtd 20-10 11/3 GRav d RRSLR 12-3, GRav d WRR 25-8, CFlm d D C 17-8 11/4 E Eagles d MBB 17-4, RRSLR d NRS 26-0, MBB d Villa 28-2 12/1 St G d NRRSL 30-17, WRR d D C 19-16, CFlm d GRav 23-19
12/2 NRS d NRRSL 22-14, DUtd d RRSLR 33-9, Alex d WRR 33-13 12/3 RRSLR d NRS 18-16, MBB d Villa 33-7, GRav d YMCA 17-15 12/4 CFlm d WRR 10-8, GRav d NRS 19-10, SSab d NRRSL 15-5 13/1 NRS d DUtd 36-10, CFlm d D C 39-9, St G d CFlm 66-10 13/2 WRR d GRav 29-16, SSab d WW 34-6, R LB d NRRSL 24-9 13/3 D C d WW 22-11, NRRSL d St G 22-18, Alex d NRS 22-6 13/4 SSab d MBB 17-15, WW d OLMC 13-9, OLMC d WRR 24-10 14/1 NRRSL d SSab 44-25, NRRSL 8 d NRRSL 9 44-4, WRR d RRSLR 68-7 14/2 OLMC d YMCA 20-13, WRR d SSab 27-12, RRSLR d WW 26-23 14/3 GRav W SSab F, CFlm d YMCA 39-3, WRR d WW 26-15 15/1 DUtd d NRRSL 43-22, NRRSL d CFlm 71-4, WW d SSab 23-14
15/2 GRav d SSab 24-11, NRRSL d D C 48-8, R LB d WW 36-20 15/3 CFlm d WW 37-25, E Eagles d WRR 34-9, MBB d OLMC 28-22 CDT 1 NRRSL d WRR 48-22, DUtd d WWich 66-28, DUtd d RLdy 48-20 CDT 2 SSab d E Eagles 41-18, CFlm d Alex 43-20, WRR d D C 53-39, WRR d St K 36-31 CDT 3 RRSLR d DUtd 40-31, MBB d SSab 43-21, E U d CFlm 40-32 CDT 4 WRR d OLMC 56-27, YMCA d NRRSL 49-19, SSab d MCA 37-18 CDT 5 GRav d WW 29-5, D C d YMCA 50-1, OLMC d SSab 49-12 A1 WRR3 d WRR1 47-34, CFlm d NRS 53-29, CFlm d GRav 43-42, WRR W WWich f A2 DUtd d WRR 52-46, OLMC d Alex 41-36, NRRSL d CFlm 49-43, WRR d CFlm 31-30 B1 NRRSL d ER&N 40-26, WRR d GRav 44-32, YMCA w WWich f, NRS d Alex 44-41 B2 StG w CFlm f, NRRSL d WRR 51-33, ER7N d Alex 33-31, CFlm d WRR 25-22 B3 CFlm d NRS 35-29, NRRSL d WRR 49-43, DUtd d NRRSL 57-27 B4 NRRSL d ER&N 48-13, WRR d SSab 34-25, Alex d EXL 44-39, EUtd d WWich 35-33 C1 DUtd d Aqua 45-18, GRav d MBB 78-12, GRav d Alex 54-22 C2 ER&N d WRR 40-18, E Eagles d BB 61-40, Alex d DUtd 28-27 C3 CFlam d StK 54-39, RLdy d NRRSL 40-28, DUtd d WRR 57-22, CFlam d WRR 39-27 C4 RLdy d ER&N 52-39, WRR d EXLs 72-30, WRR d MBB 43-39, NRRSL d RLdy 49-41C5 Alex d NRS 44-19,WRR dCFlm 38-13, DUtd d WRR 16-2, NRRSL d MBB 54-20 C6 DUtd d SSab 42-35, GRav d YMCA 37-16, GRav d NRRSL 40-17, WWich d WRR 54-20 C7 MDS d DUtd 39-38, DUtd d StG 57-12, NRS d GRav 47-31, YMCA d EEgls 44-33 D Wich d MBB 34-24, DCen d RLdy 38-19, GRav d RRSLR 48-15, StG d GRav 30-9.
Junior Saints march to U/10 GHFA trophy
HAIL the mighty Saints who marched on through Gladesville Hornsby Football Association’s Under 10 four by four competition to secure both places in last Sunday’s Grand Final at Christie Park.
Made up from Ryde Saints United’s U/10 Division 1 team in GHFA’s 11-a-side tournament, the two sides battled through difficult matches in the first three stages to face each other in the ultimate round of the small-sided game contest.
Victory went to RSU “Reds” playing in the team’s change strip over the “Greens” with the 4-0 scoreline failing to do justice to a hard-fought final that flowed from end to end.
The dual U/9 and U/10 competition, organised by GHFA’s Youth League co-ordinator Tim Thorne, featured teams from Gladesville Ravens, North Ryde, North Epping and Kenthurst - all of whom presented stiff opponents for the RSU sides who both topped their respective group divisions at the end of the first stage.
Two sudden-death rounds followed before the Grand Final was played in front of an appreciative crowd during half-time of the Super League round 15 game between Glades-ville Spirit FC and Fraser Park.
Pictured together after the Grand Final with their winner and runners-up medals are the RSU Reds, coached by Danny John, and the Greens, coached by Ramy Khalaf: back row l to r Curtis Wilson, Matthew Harwood, Sam John, Matthew Oliveri, Matthew Fakhoury; front Adam Khalaf, Roberto Leonardi, Tom Cross, Lachlan Heyworth and Jack Morgan.
Big year ahead for baseball Tigers
TIGERS Baseball & Softball Club has been supporting the local community since the mid 1980s by offering an avenue for people of all ages to give in to their energetic urges by playing Tee-Ball, baseball and softball at a minimal expense with a maximum return.
The Club is looking forward to the upcoming summer season. They welcome back all existing players and are excited at the prospect of attracting new players - both juniors and seniors.
Club officials invite you to come along regardless of your age, experience or ability to be part of what they hope is another exciting and successful season.
Registrations and information sessions will be held tomorrow (Thursday) July 2 at Brush Park Bowling Club from 6pm to 9pm and this Sunday July 5 at Cox Park from 10am to 12 noon.
For more details check the website: www.tigerball.com.au
Old Boys upset Dirty Reds
KINGS Old Boys produced the upset of the season to beat rugby premiers Drummoyne 23-17 in the Kentwell Cup last weekend at Kings School.
The Dirty Reds were on the front foot early with fullback Dwight Shepherd placing kicks accurately into the opposition’s corner.
Tries to NSW Suburban representative flanker Scott Monaghan and centre Pule Mesa gave Drummoyne a 12-10 lead at the break.
Effects of washed out training sessions over the past month started to show as the visitors struggled to break through Kings’ tight defence in the second half.
Too many misguided kicks gave Kings enough possession to score two tries.
Drummoyne fought back with a try by NSW Suburban winger Josh Maleko and pressed the Kings line in the dying stages, only for prop Tuainafua Veiru to be held up over the line.
It was only the Old Boys second win of the season and Drummoyne’s second loss but the Dirty Reds still maintain top spot.
Kings edged out Drummoyne 10-7 in second grade with Reds wingers Wise Qalulu and Martin Tevaga combining for a spectacular 40 metre try before the break.
Drummoyne prop Gavan Hassett injured his neck in a lineout and an ambulance had to be called, cutting the game short by 20 minutes.
Thankfully Gavan is out of hospital and feeling okay. Drummoyne thirds won 17-0 with centre Sean Bearkery (2) and winger Matt Grice notching tries.
Fourths won 14-0 and fifths 28-0 while Colts lost 27-7.
Drummoyne host Mosman at Drummoyne Oval this weekend and celebrate Veterans Day with the annual Golden Oldies match.
Ryde Hockey Roundup
MENS: Firsts: South West Strikers 1 Ryde 0; Seconds: Ryde 2 (Alex Swart 2) SWS 1; Thirds: Ryde 3 (Greg Findlay, Nathan Ball, Matt McKay) University of NSW 2; Fourths: Ryde 4 Uni NSW 0; Fifths: Ryde 3 SWS 2; 6th: SWS 1 Ryde 0;
7th: Manly 2 Ryde 1 (Rob Whelan); 8th: Ryde 1 (Mick James) Manly 0; 9th: Gordon-North Sydney 4 Ryde 0; U/17A: Sutherland 4 Ryde 3; U/17B: Bankstown 3 Ryde 1 (Luke Dempsey);
WOMEN: No matches due to U/18 Championships in Armidale.
Dancing their way to gold
Have dance shoes will travel is the motto of Gladesville teenager Cameron May.
14 year old Cameron and partner Christina Park of Gymea have achieved outstanding results in Dancesport competitions since teaming up three years ago.
They recently won the Junior Open standard category against other dancers up to 16 years of age at the 2009 NSW Open Dancesport Championships held at the Main Arena, Olympic Park Sports Centre.
May, a Year 8 student at St Aloysius College, and Park dance in all three styles - Standard, New Vogue and Latin and other results on the day included them winning Level 3 New Vogue, Level 3 Standard and Level 2 Latin.
Cameron first became interested in Dancesport when his primary school Our Lady Queen of Peace at Gladesville offered students the chance to learn ballroom dancing for a term.
He now travels from Gladesville to the Riviera Dance Centre at Miranda several times a week for training. Christina has been dancing longer and the couple met at the studio.
Last December they competed at the Tattersalls Australian Dancesport Championships in Melbourne and were among 47 couples from Australia and New Zealand. They won the Junior Level 2 Standard category and were the only NSW couple to make the final - earning a gold medal for their brilliant performance.
The talented pair train very hard especially over the holidays and are proud of their results. Last weekend they competed at the 2009 National Capital Dancesport Championships at the Institute of Sport Arena in Canberra.
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