with Chris Karas
TWT Club 6 Sports Stars
WATER polo international Aidan Roach of East Ryde and Australian U/14 soccer representative Alisha Bass of Gladesville received their $300 TWT Club Six/Ryde Sports Foundation Sports Star of the Month awards last Friday night at North Ryde Golf Club.
Alisha is pictured with Cathy and Dan Roach (accepting award for Aidan who is currently representing Australia at the World University Games in Serbia).
North Ryde Golf Club president Michael Flaherty presented cheques to Alisha and the Roach family.
Also pictured are North Ryde RSL Community Club director Margaret Hodgekiss, Ryde Ex Services Club president Brian Privett, RSF chairman Jim Hull and Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club president Keith Aggett. TWT on-the-spot PHOTO.
Origin snub for brilliant Farah
By CHRIS KARAS
WESTS Tigers’ maestro hooker Robbie Farah produced one of the finest individual performances of the 2009 NRL premiership last weekend to engineer a 54-20 demolition of rivals South Sydney at ANZ Stadium.
The Tigers’ skipper was at his crafty best, figuring in eight of his team’s ten tries to inspire a much-needed victory over the Rabbitohs and re-ignite the club’s faint semi final hopes.
Farah’s stand out display was a timely reminder to NSW selectors - but counted for nothing after Blues’ officials dumped the talented rake for the third Origin clash at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane next Wednesday.
He was one of several players axed from the NSW team that tasted a fourth successive series defeat in Sydney last month.
Blues’ selectors opted for a revamped line up with in-form veteran Brett Kimmorley grabbing the number seven jumper and Bulldogs’ team-mate Michael Ennis replacing Farah at hooker.
Hampered by a rib injury in recent weeks, the classy Farah moved freely as he carved up the Rabbitohs with sharp bursts from dummy half and slick passing to lay on many a try.
Test winger Taniela Tuiaki capped a powerful game on the left flank by scoring three tries while born-again forward John Skandalis, back rower Gareth Ellis, rookie centre Blake Ayshford, lock Corey Payne and half Tim Moltzen made strong contributions in a vital win.
Ellis, Benji Marshall and Todd Payten battled the flu all week but made their mark in Wests Tigers’ 100th triumph as a joint venture club.
Tigers’ and Australian Test coach Tim Sheens was full of praise for Farah after the match.
“Robbie has been a model of consistency this year at club and representative level and put in a strong showing in Origin 1,” said Sheens.
“I’ve always said, and I’ll keep saying it, I wouldn’t swap Robbie Farah for any other hooker.”
WESTS TIGERS 54 (T Tuiaki 3, B Ayshford 2, C Payne, T Moltzen, B Ryan, S Gallant, J Skandalis tries; B Marshall 7 gls) d SOUTHS 20 (L Capewell 3, N Merritt tries; C Sandow 2 gls).
State cap for Tiger Gower
TALENTED Balmain-Ryde Eastwood forward David Gower has gained selection in the NSW Residents rugby league team to play Queensland Residents in a curtain-raiser to Origin 3 next Wednesday at Suncorp Stadium.
Gower, a hard working back rower and Holy Cross junior product, earned a State jumper with powerful performances for the Tigers thus far in the 2009 NSW Cup competition.
He was named Players’ Player after the Tigers’ gutsy 18-16 win over Cronulla last Saturday at Leichhardt Oval.
Gower’s team-mate Jared Farlow was surprisingly overlooked for NSW selection despite outstanding displays for the Balmain-Ryde team this season.
The skilful lock forward pressed his claims with non-stop efforts and played a key role in the Tigers’ come-from-behind victory over the Sharks.
Balmain-Ryde trailed 16-6 at the break before rallying in the second half with two converted tries. Other players to impress were fullback Sean Meaney, hooker Ryan Carr and forwards Al Schirnack and Willie Mataka.
* * *
MEANWHILE the Wests Tigers’ U/20s continued their Toyota Cup finals charge with a 26-22 victory over Souths at ANZ Stadium.
Emerging half Darren Nicholls, centre Jake Clarke and forwards Matt Hyland, Simon Dwyer, Jason Schirnack, Aaron Woods and schoolboy Junior Rogica all shone for a Tigers’ team depleted by illness and injury.
Nicholls, Dwyer, Clarke, Rogica and Rhys Curran scored tries with Jake Mullaney booting three goals.
MCS premiership double for Ryde cubs
HOLY Cross College Ryde Opens rugby league team tuned up for their big Arrive Alive Cup clash on July 24 by capturing the Metropolitan Catholic Schools premiership last Thursday at Parramatta Stadium.
The Ryde super cubs trounced rivals St Gregory’s College Camp-belltown 30-4 in a lopsided Grand Final to continue the school’s 2009 success.
It was a second rugby league title for Holy Cross in 2009 after the U/15s team lifted the championship trophy a fortnight earlier and on the same day that the school’s Open soccer team registered a Grand Final triumph.
Spearheading the Opens rugby league premiership win were outstanding halves Dean Parata and Patrick Politoni, centre Joel Brooks and rising forward Jarryd Clarke.
Trailing 4-0, the Holy Cross cubs clicked into top gear and dominated for long periods through their powerful forwards and slick backline.
Parata, who starred as a hooker for the Balmain S.G Ball team this season, was a deserved Player of the Match - scoring three tries, defending stoutly and providing quick service to his outside backs.
Politoni, who skippered the Tigers’ S.G Ball squad in 2009 and helped NSW U/18s defeat Queensland at ANZ Stadium last month, made a huge impact in the pivot role with his dynamic running and clever passing.
Brooks upstaged his centre partner Junior Rogica - an Australian Schoolboys rep in 2008 and current Wests Tigers’ U/20 team member - with a fine attacking display.
The talented Brooks menaced St Gregory’s with his turn of speed to launch many a raid as Holy Cross consolidated their 18-4 lead at the break with second half tries to Parata and Clarke.
In back rower Clarke - the son of Tigers’ legend and premiership-winning Penrith forward Paul Clarke - the College have a promising forward who improves with each outing.
He scored two tries and inspired team mates with his bullocking runs and rugged defence. Other Ryde players to shine were hooker Marcel Ferris, lock Alex Kerti, fullback Anthony Golding and forwards Adrian Tatola and Jesse Hewitt.
The Holy Cross team are now gearing up for their round of 16 Arrive Alive Cup clash with either Erindale College Canberra or Red Bend College Forbes in the national schoolboy competition on July 24 at Blue Tongue Stadium.
MEANWHILE top Balmain juniors Luke Brooks - who skippered Holy Cross to an U/15 MCS premiership - and 14 year old Sio Tatola helped NSW Catholic Schools reach the final against winners Queensland at the Australian U/15 Championships in Adelaide last week.
HOLY CROSS 30 (D Parata 3, J Clarke 2 tries; A Golding 5 gls) d ST GREGORY’S 4 (M Keane try).
Tigers retain Beetson Cup
COMBINED Balmain District A Grade representative side retained the Arthur Beetson Challenge Cup after whipping Eastern Suburbs 38-10 last Saturday at Leichhardt Oval.
Under the coaching of Balmain Education & Development Manager David Kelly, the Tigers had too many big guns for the Roosters - running in seven tries.
Wily Balmain hooker and team captain Trent Murphy was named Player of the Match after a tireless display with second rower Robbie Williams turning in a strong game for Easts.
Half back Brad Monk, centre Paul Wallace, forward Dean Webster and fullback Clint Flanaghan scored tries as Balmain opened up a commanding 26-0 lead at the interval.
The Roosters hit back with four pointers from Mark Bondfield and Williams before Aaron Monk and Flanagan completed a Tigers rout with neat second half tries.
Balmain were best served by hooker Murphy, lock Nathan Emms, props Chad Grant and Accrom Areaiiti, Brad Monks and Flanaghan.
Balmain Junior League 2009
UNDER 9 Div 1: Leichhardt Wanderers Red 28 Dundas Shamrocks Yellow 12; North Ryde 28 Five Dock RSL 24; Holy Cross (bye); Div 3: Shamrocks Green 40 Wanderers White 0; Carlingford Cougars 40 Concord-Burwood Maroon 12.
UNDER 10 Div 1: Holy Cross Gold 22 Holy Cross Maroon 0; North Ryde 18 Wanderers Black 6; Concord-Burwood Maroon 20 Wanderers Red 4.
UNDER 12 Div 1: Leichhardt Wanderers d Concord-Burwood Maroon; Shamrocks Yellow 16 Concord-Burwood Blue 6;
UNDER 13: Holy Cross d Balmain PCYC; Shamrocks 36 Leichhardt Juniors 18; North Ryde v Carlingford Cougars; Wanderers v Concord-Burwood.
UNDER 14: North Ryde 66 Concord-Burwood 6; Shamrocks 20 Holy Cross Maroon 20; Wanderers v Five Dock RSL;
UNDER 15 Pool A: Leichhardt Wanderers 26 Mascot 8; Alexandria Rovers 32 Strathfield Raiders 15s 22; Hurstville United 15s 25 Shamrocks 15; Clovelly Crocodiles 40 Kingsgrove Colts 10; Pool B: Holy Cross Maroon 14s 50 South Eastern 0; Strathfield Raiders 14s 36 Newtown Jets 18; Hurstville 14s 50 Holy Cross Gold 15s 12; Bondi United 24 Penshurst RSL 12; Maroubra Lions 18 Arncliffe Scots 18.
UNDER 16 Pool A: Concord-Burwood 54 Shamrocks 6; Hurstville 30 Mascot 22; Arncliffe Scots 38 Five Dock RSL 18; Earlwood Saints 44 St Charles 20; Pool B: North Ryde 38 Penshurst RSL 28; Kingsgrove Colts 30 Redfern All Blacks 20; La Perouse 46 Wanderers 12; Coogee-Randwick 22 South Sydney Mustangs 18; Brighton Seagulls (bye).
UNDER 17 Pool A: Leichhardt Juniors 20 Five Dock RSL 16; Mascot 36 Renown United 26; Arncliffe Scots 24 Holy Cross 12; South Eastern (bye); Pool B: La Perouse 22 North Ryde 6; Brighton Seagulls 32 Redfern All Blacks 8; Kingsgrove Colts 20 Clovelly Crocodiles 18.
UNDER 19: Coogee-Randwick 60 Renown 0; Concord-Burwood 46 Penshurst RSL 4; Kingsgrove Colts 54 Earlwood Saints 12; Brighton Seagulls 40 Alexandria Rovers 20; Mascot 48 Wanderers 0.
UNDER 21: North Ryde 64 Arncliffe Scots 26; Shamrocks 30 Renown 30; Mascot (bye).
Pairs title for Ron & Jim
RON Baker and Jim French are the North Ryde RSL Mens Bowling Club pairs champions for 2009.
They defeated Ted Candrick and Brian Long 24-12 in a hard fought final due to a slow green and threatening rain. Ron and Jim jumped to an early lead and were never headed. It was good to see a big turnout of spectators to encourage the combatants who played great wet weather bowls. Pictured l to r Ron Baker, Jim French, Ted Candrick and Brian Long.
Holy Cross Soccer
U/6 Purple: Saints United 8 Holy Cross 6 (T Wunsch 4, K Shaw, M Starr); White: Holy Cross 12 (D Taylor 4, D Gross 4, D Chaseling 3, J Taylor) Gladesville Sharks 1; U/7 Green: Holy Cross 4 All Saints Hunters Hill 1; Red: Putney Rangers 8 Holy Cross 0; White: Ravens 6 Holy Cross 5 (Z Hall, D Donoghue, E Nicol, A Anquetil, A Putro); U/8 Purple: Holy Cross 5 (R Nelson 4, A Sestanovic) Redfield College 4; 9/4: Holy Cross 2 (H Nicol, M Murdocca) Glenhaven Sports 2; 10/3: Holy Cross 2 (S Lucas, R Suter) Hills Hawks 0; 11/3: West Pennant Hills 2 Holy Cross 0; 12/5: Carlingford Redbacks 1 Holy Cross 0; 13/3: Holy Cross 5 (A Abi-Saab 2, A Chahal 2, J Talevski) Glenhaven 0; 21/1: Glenhaven 6 Holy Cross 2 (E Khzouz 2); AA3: Macquarie Combined Sports 2 Holy Cross 1 (M Canone); AA4: Holy Cross 3 (P Galante 3) Old Ignatians 1; AA13: Holy Cross 6 (R Parkes, M Payne, A Harrison, R Svarc, N Casamento, M Gardner) St Andrews 0; AA14: Macquarie Sports 6 Holy Cross 0; AA15: Putney Rangers 4 Holy Cross 2 (G Williams 2); AA16: Holy Cross 3 (R Palazzolo 2, R Smith) St Andrews 2; O35/4: Holy Cross 4 (D Hili 3, P O’Reilly) All Saints 1.
Pennants at Putney
PUTNEY-Tennyson Mens Bowling Club require players for a six week Wednesday midweek pennants series commencing July 22.
The Club is keen to recruit players to bolster their pennant grades. Phone John Binet 0411 598 213.
OAM for Tigers’ cricket stalwart
FORMER Balmain Cricket Club supremo and current Cricket NSW Chairman Dr Harry Harinath has been recognised for his services to cricket and to the community.
Dr Harinath, a long time Tigers’ official and leading administrator, was awarded the OAM in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
He’s been a Director on the NSW Cricket Board since 2000 and its Chairman since May 2008 and is also a Director of Cricket Australia.
Dr Harinath has been a driving force behind the many initiatives introduced by Cricket NSW in recent years.
He’s been particularly involved in facility upgrade projects across NSW, negotiating grants of more than $2 million in the past 12 months alone to assist clubs throughout the State.
Harinath has also been heavily involved in the Cricket NSW state-of-the-art playing and training facility nearing completion at Blacktown Olympic Park, in conjunction with Blacktown City Council and the AFL. Cricket NSW will invest $7 million dollars in this development over the next 20 years.
Harinath originally became involved in cricket administration when appointed the Doctor to the Balmain District Cricket Club in 1979.
He ultimately became the Club’s President, overseeing its transition to be renamed the Sydney Cricket Club in 2007. He has been pivotal in the planned multi-million upgrade of Drummoyne Oval which will enable it to host sporting fixtures at the elite level on a regular basis.
Dr Harinath told The Weekly Times that he was honoured to be given such a prestigious award: “I was both surprised and honoured to receive the OAM in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. I have been fortunate to have been involved in cricket administration for over 30 years and have seen so many positive developments in that period. I have greatly enjoyed my involvement at all levels and to be recognised in this way is very humbling.”
Ryde Hockey
MENS: Firsts: Sutherland 4 Ryde 0; Seconds: Sutherland 8 Ryde 0; Thirds: Ryde 5 (Nathan Ball 2, Matt McKay 2, Peter Cox) Sutherland 1; Fourths: Ryde 5 Sutherland 0; Fifths: Ryde 2 (Amauri Amat 2) Sutherland 0; 6th: Ryde 4 (Campbell Clark 2, Quinten Adams, Josh Brackenreg) Sutherland 0; 7th: Ryde 5 (Mark Woolnough 2, Rob Whelan, Lloyd Parker, Nick Schiavo) Sydney University 0; 8th: Ryde 3 Sydney Uni 2; 9th & 10th (byes); U/17A: Ryde 3 GSU 1; U/17B: Ryde 1 (Jonathon Wu) Norwest 1;
WOMEN: Firsts: Western Districts 3 Ryde 2 (Kiera Batten 2); Seconds: Uni of NSW 1 Ryde 0; Thirds: Sydney Uni 5 Ryde 2 (Clare Bennett, Nina Thompson).
Henry field goal secures 18-18 draw
SAM HENRY proved the hero as Hunters Hill first grade rugby team snatched a thrilling 18-all draw with Balmain in the Suburban competition at Blackmore Oval last weekend.
The Hillies centre landed a last gasp 30 metre field goal to secure a point in a torrid encounter.
Hillies were quick out of the traps, with Dan Casa scoring two tries to help establish a 15-0 lead.
An injury to five eighth and playmaker Dave Marshall followed by a Balmain penalty goal saw the Hillies lead 15-3 at lemons. A yellow card for Ben Bates early in the second half for repeated offside infringements added to the pressure.
The referee made it even harder when spirited rucking by big number five Dean Thompson was taken as foul play and he was given ten minutes in the bin.
This left Hunters Hill with only 13 players against 15 for seven minutes proving a critical time with Balmain scoring two tries to level at 15 all.
A penalty goal put the home side ahead 18-15 with ten minutes left on the clock.
Hunters Hill mounted a strong attack but were kept at bay by robust Balmain defence. In the dying seconds, Henry took a pass from Woodbridge and calmly potted a perfect long range drop goal to salvage a point.
The Hillies were best served by centre Henry, loose forwards Luke McLennan and Colman Taylor while rookie centre Dan Casa’s two tries took his season tally to a whopping 21.
Hunters Hill are clear second on the table behind Merrylands Wolves, a side they play this week at home in what promises to be a blockbuster.
In the lower grades, Hunters Hill seconds - inspired by a double from crafty number 10 Zane Thomas - posted an important 17-10 win to ensure clubman Jesse Croucher’s 100th match was a memorable one.
Thirds cantered to their 11th straight victory - with 19 year old Lala Havea starring in a 21-7 win. Fourths managed a gutsy 7-0 triumph while Fifths also ran out winners.
This week’s showdown with Merrylands at Boronia Park Oval shapes as a virtual play-off for the all important Club Championship lead.
Richie Colley on the attack for Hunters Hill fourth grade against Balmain last Saturday.
Netball Roundup
Top Ryde City Shopping Centre major sponsor of Holmans ERNA Netball July 4:
10/1 DCen w RRSLR f, NRS d GRav 15-2, CFlm d WRR 15-10, NRS d RRSLR 9-3; 10/2 NRRSL d DUtd 23-5, NRS d CFlm 11-4, Vlla d Alex 13-5, WRR d CCom 11-8; 10/3 StK d NRS 5-2, CFlm d StG 10-3, MBB d MDS 13-5 10/4 RRSLR d GRav 23-1, SSab d OLQP 6-0, Vlla d WRR 10-8, EEgls d NRRSL 8-5 11/1 WRR d NRS 38-3, CFlm d DCen 27-6, NRRSL d DUtd 25-8 11/2 StK d MDS 22-11, StG d DUtd 35-2, OLQP f CFlm w11/3 GRav d CFlm 19-15, GRav d WRR 15-1, DCen d RRSL 10-8 11/4 EEgls d NRS 15-4, MBB d Vlla 18-4, MBB w RRSL f 12/1 StG d GRav 50-16, DCen d NRRSL 19-3, NRS d CFlm 38-16 12/2 DUtd d NRRSL 43-29, RRSL d WRR 23-17, Alex d NRS 18-13 12/3 OLQP dr GRav 10-10, MBB w YMCA f, NRS d Vlla 40-4 12/4 WRR d SSab 7-2, GRav w CFlm f, NRS d NRRSL 13-1 13/1 CFlm d DUtd 37-12, StG d DCen 59-6, CFlm d NRRSL 29-22 13/2 SSab d GRav 18-16, NRRSL d WWich 16-13, RLdy d WRR 20-8 13/3 NRRSL d DCen 39-9, StG d NRS 28-14, Alex d SSab 25-23 13/4 MBB d OLMC 12-11, WWich d WRR 14-9, OLMC d CCom 13-12 14/1 NRRSL 7 d NRRSL 9 35-4, NRRSL w RRSL f, WRR d DUtd 35-15 14/2 YMCA d SSab 21-6, WRR w WWich f, RRSL d OLMC 36-14 14/3 GRav d YMCA 18-6, WRR d SSab 14-11, WWich d MBB 25-24 5/1 NRRSL d WWich 35-34, DUtd d CFlm 46-15, NRRSL d SSab 35-31 15/2 RLdy d GRav 21-17, NRRSL d WWich 66-12, SSab d DCen 24-18 15/3 CFlm d WRR 45-14, EEgls d MBB 31-16, WWich d OLMC 46-11 CDT 1 NRRSL d DUtd 37-33, WWich dr RLdy 41-41, DUtd d WRR 32-28 CDT 2 Alex d WRR 36-31, StK d DCen 44-38, SSab dr WRR 27-27, Cflm d EEgls 43-24 CDT 3 RRSLR d CFlm 39-29, EUtd d SSab 27-20, MBB d OLMC 46-12 CDT 4 YMCA d SSab 23-15, YMCA d OLMC 40-25, WRR d NRRSL 43-25 CDT 5 YMCA w OLMC f, DCen d GRav 34-18, WRR d WWich 35-13 A1 CFlm d WRR 45-39, GRav w NRS f, WRR d CFlm 46-42, WWich d WRR 37-33 A2 DUtd d OLMC 49-40, Alex d CFlm 32-31,WWR d NRRSL 38-36, WWR w CFlm f B1 YMCA w WRR f, NRS d NRRSL 41-37, WWich d Alex 50-26, GRav d ER&N 30-24 B2 NRRSL d CFlm 39-24, WRR d CFlm 51-15, Alex d WRR 53-20, ER&N d StG 34-29 B3 CFlm d NRRSL 45-40, DUtd d WRR 57-34, NRRSL d NRS 46-44 B4 SSab d ER&N 33-20, Alex d WWR 34-29, EXL d EUtd 32-30, WWich d NRRSLS 45-29 C1 GRav d DUtd 42-39, Alex d MBBel for, GRav d NRS 30-24 C2 EEag d ER&N 36-35, DUnt d BellB 57-26, Alex d WRR 38-32 C3 St.K d NRRSL 34-23, RLady d WRR 33-20, Flames d DUnt 34-32, Flames d WRR f C4 NRRSL d RLdy 44-18, WRR d EppRug 62-30, RLad d WRR 48-36, MBB d EXL 48-28 C5 DUtd d MBB 44-14, NRRSL d NRS 54-15, Alex d WRR 35-13, CFlm d WRR 46-12 C6 SSab d WRR 40-18, GRav d WWich 41-34, GRav d DUtd 49-11, YMCA d NRRSL 33-16 C7 DUtd d EEgles 29-15, NRS d YMCA 48-26, DUtd w GRav f, MDS d StG 36-23 D WWich d Grav 27-25, StGer w RRSLRob F, GRav d RLad 34-17, DCen d MBB 31-23.
Mosman upset Reds
REIGNING champions Drummoyne stumbled to a second consecutive loss when humbled 26-7 by Mosman last Saturday at Drummoyne Oval.
It was the first time the Dirty Reds had suffered back to back losses since 2005 - but they still remain on top of the Kentwell Cup ladder.
Drummoyne immediately found themselves under pressure as a lineout won against the throw resulted in a favourable bounce into the arms of a Mosman player who scored.
The Reds fought back with a try by centre Pule Mesa to take a 7-5 lead at the break. Poor ball security by Drummoyne and good counter attack by Mosman allowed the visitors to score two tries against the run of play.
The Annual Veterans Day clash provided great entertainment with tries by Travis Hall and Alan Colgan enabling Drummoyne to win the clash 15-0 and retain the trophy for another year.
Drummoyne seconds lost 50-19; thirds lost 33-7; fourths lost 26-0; fifths drew 12-12 and Colts lost 22-5. The Reds meet Woollahra Colleagues at Woollahra Oval No 2 on July 18.
$9000 boost for Sports Star Awards
CLUB SIX delegates pledged another $9000 for the 2009-10 TWT Club Six/Ryde Sports Foundation Sports Star of the Month awards at a recent luncheon meeting at Gladesville RSL Community Club.
Pictured standing l to r are North Ryde Golf Club CEO Brenden Ellam; Ryde Ex Services Club CEO James Roberts; North Ryde RSL Community Club president Barry Herbert; North Ryde Golf Club president Michael Flaherty; Gladesville RSL Club president Chris Coady; Gladesville Sporties Club directors Jean Jones and senior vice president John Gibson; Gladesville RSL director Lindsay Cornwell; Gladesville sporting identity Gary Winslow and Ryde Ex Services Club president Brian Privett; seated are Club Six life members Bob Stephens and Kevin James; Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club president Keith Aggett; Ryde Sports Foundation chairman Jim Hull; former international rower Ernie Chapman (who represented Australia at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki); Gladesville RSL directors Don Bollard, Dave Lochlin, Jim Robertson and vice president Jim Butt. TWT on-the-spot PHOTO.
Archer Aimee on target
MACQUARIE University sports scholar Aimee Deaves has just returned from the Stage Two Archery World Cup in Porec, Croatia, with an Australian tournament record under her belt.
Deaves made up one-third of the Australian Women’s Recurve team (named for the type of bow they use), which had an impressive win over a much higher ranked team from Russia in their first match of the meet.
Not only was the Australians’ final score of 210 enough to win them the close-fought match, it was also the highest score ever achieved by an Australian women’s recurve team.
The team was also the first Australian women’s recurve team to win a match overseas in six years.
Deaves, who is nearing the end of her Master of Museum Studies course at Macquarie, said the tournament was “by far the biggest” she had competed in since she first took up a bow in 2002.
And there were plenty of people to learn from. Australia’s team manager and head coach was none other than 2000 Olympic gold medallist, Simon Fairweather, while Deaves’ teammates in the recurve competition included two-time Olympian Deonne Bridger.
Fourth-ranked France defeated Australia 211-201 after a hard-fought encounter. The Australian Women’s team achieved the solid result of 8th overall.
In the individual competition, Deaves (ranked 47th) came up against former Olympian Charlotte Burgess of Great Britain who was ranked 18th. Burgess eventually won the match, leaving Deaves with an overall individual ranking of 60th.
Pirates’ Twenty20 success
UNDER 10 Div 1 Central Zone Final: St George 4-119 (A Halikas 40no, T Frazer-Rigg 32no) d Ryde Hunters Hill Pirates 1-108 (J James 30no, R Chahal 22no); Div 2 Semi Final: Ryde Hunters Hill 6-116 d Blue 1-94; Final: Batsnappers 3-151 (C Bennett 37, J Sauer 34) d Ryde Hunters Hill 48 (C Bennett 2-5, H Gregory 2-6);
UNDER 12 Div 1 Central Zone Final: Ryde Hunters Hill 5-110 (V George 36, S Roby 25) d White 2-103; Champion of Champions Final: Ryde Hunters Hill Pirates 1-155 (J Ivelja 105no, B Adams 31) d Steelers 4-140 (J Brewer 79no, A Vodnik 33, S Roby 2-12); UNDER 14 Div 2 Semi Final: Ryde Hunters Hill 5-142 (C Rae 44no, T Burt 32, B Quinn 25, J Parkinson 2-17) d Parko’s 73 (F Hossain 36, L Welsh 2-0, C Rae 2-7); Final: Illawong 4-128 (T Stanton 40, P Lambropolous 21) d Ryde Hunters Hill 7-106 (T Burt 57no, A Nielson 3-17).
Ravens triumph
TOUGH road trip to Normanhurst is never an easy one but Gladesville Ravens Premier League first grade soccer team kept their finals hopes alive with a deserved 1-0 victory that sees them move into third place on the ladder.
Great games by Matty Roberts, Nick Zorbas and David Brennan ensured the Ravens controlled the middle of park as well as dominating on the right flank.
Artie and Tom C combined well on the left and there were plenty of half chances created - DB going the closest after his cannon like header flew off the cross bar after being beautifully picked out by Zorbie’s cross.
In the end it was a well won penalty from Brad McIndoe that allowed Julian Miller to take his goal tally to 7 for the season and give the Ravens all three points!
Earlier a weakened Ressies side were unlucky to lose 3-1 but much heart can be taken from their spirited performance.
Team of winners
Principal Lauren Spaulding reckons she has a talented team (above) of dancers at her Dance Inc studio demonstrated by the fact that they scored a winning place in every section entered at the recent Australian Teachers of Dance NSW State Competition. “It was an amazing achievement,” Ms Spaulding said. Dance Inc offers classes for three-year-olds and up to adults. They specialise in a variety of dance styles and have exams for hip-hop, jazz, ballet and tap. For more information phone 9713 2440 or 0402 337 758.
Gold medal haul for gymnast Ellen
BUDDING Gladesville RSL gymnast Ellen Hester tasted success at the recent Special Olympics State Championships staged at Bankstown YMCA.
Ellen, a young down syndrome girl, collected four gold medals and a silver medal to become the B Grade Champion. She is coached by Australian representative acrobat Eliza Hui.
Head coach Don Bollard heaped praise on Ellen for her commitment to the sport and encouraging performances at the State titles.
“It was a great result not only for Ellen but a fantastic effort by Eliza to give her knowledge back to gymnastics and gymnasts with special needs” said experienced mentor Bollard.
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