with Chris Karas
Ryde Hockey 75 Yrs Awards
Ryde-Hunters Hill Hockey Club conducted a special presentation last Saturday at the Keith Thompson Hockey Centre to celebrate the 75th anniversary of hockey in the Ryde district.
Milestone awards were presented to Dave Herbert (100 first grade games); Mark Richard (250 club games) and Michelle Giaquinto (500 club games) seen pictured with l to r The Weekly Times’ Managing Editor and Panthers’ club patron John F. Booth AM; club stalwart Jeff McEwan; Ryde MP Victor Dominello; Hockey Australia president Stuart Grimshaw; club president Maurice Dawson; emerging Ryde hockey star and NSW U/15 rep Tom Craig; Hockey NSW president Carol Purdy and Ryde City Deputy Mayor Clr Sarkis Yedelian. Absent is club secretary Michael Gunner who received an award for 500 club games. TWT on-the-spot PHOTO.
Finals dream still alive for Tigers
By CHRIS KARAS
WESTS Tigers first grade rugby league team continue to walk a finals tightrope and are steeling themselves for a nerve-jangling month in the NRL competition.
The rejuvenated Tigers kept their 2009 finals dream alive with a pulsating 19-18 victory over reigning premiers Manly on Monday night at Sydney Football Stadium.
But they had to stave off a late Sea Eagles challenge before recording a fourth successive win and zooming into ninth spot on 22 points after 21 competition rounds.
The Tigers face the embattled Roosters and Sharks over the next fortnight before lining up against Parramatta, Gold Coast and the Bulldogs in the run home to the finals.
Rookie centre Blake Ayshford, half Tim Moltzen, Great Britain forward Gareth Ellis, prop Todd Payten, hooker Robbie Farah and the enigmatic Benji Marshall produced top games for the Tigers.
Manly’s State of Origin forward Anthony Watmough was the best player on field - turning in a powerhouse display to keep the Sea Eagles in the hunt.
Dynamo winger Taniela Tuiaki crossed for his 17th try of the season as the Tigers stunned their rivals to open up an 18-0 lead at the interval.
A Robbie Farah field goal after the break proved the deciding factor in a thrilling contest.
The return of key forwards Keith Galloway and Chris Heighington from injury is a huge boost as the Tigers’ finals charge gathers momentum.
WESTS TIGERS 19 (B Marshall, B Ryan, T Tuiaki tries; B Marshall 3 gls; R Farah field gl) d MANLY 18 (A Watmough 2, T Williams tries; M Orford 3 gls).
* * *
RUNAWAY leaders Manly survived a major scare before posting a 40-34 victory over Wests Tigers in a quality Toyota Cup clash at Sydney Football Stadium.
The U/20 Tiger cubs led 34-30 with three minutes left on the clock before the high flying Eaglets snatched victory with late tries by prop Lama Tasi and winger David Sheehan.
In a thrill-a-minute tussle, the lead changed several times with both sides entertaining the crowd with their fine attacking skills.
Tigers’ prop Andrew Fifita opened the scoring with a try in the 7th minute before Manly raced to a 20-4 lead before the break with tries by centre Kieran Foran (2) and forwards Darcy Lussick and Jamie Buhrer.
Goalkicking fullback Jake Mullaney and utility Leivaha Pulu bridged the gap to 20-16 with converted tries but the Sea Eaglets struck soon after with a Blake Davey four pointer.
Tigers’ centre Jake Clarke and talented half Darren Nicholls then crossed in the space of four minutes and Mullaney converted to give the cubs a 28-24 lead.
Manly regained the lead when giant forward Jared Waerea-Hargraves crashed over for his team’s sixth try which was converted by half Daly Cherry-Evans.
Schoolboy international Junior Rogica nudged the Tigers ahead in the 72nd minute with a converted try before Manly broke their hearts.
* * *
BANKSTOWN City outclassed Balmain-Ryde Eastwood 48-22 in their NSW Cup clash last Saturday at Leichhardt Oval.
Fielding a side rich in NRL experience, the Bulls had too many big guns for a Tigers team that made too many errors.
Half Josh Lewis and lock Jared Farlow played strongly for the Tigers, who meet Shellharbour this Sunday at Ron Costello Oval.
Schools Cup doubleheader
HOLY Cross College Ryde senior rugby league team face their moment of truth tomorrow (Thursday August 6) in the 2009 Arrive Alive Cup national schoolboy competition.
The Ryde cubs - one of the youngest teams to compete in this year’s series - lock horns with St Dominic’s Penrith in an exciting Cup quarter final double header at Leichhardt Oval.
Outstanding Balmain junior reps Junior Rogica, Patrick Politoni, Dean Parata, Sebastian Vourlos, Curtis Sironen, Joel Brooks and Alex Kerti feature in an emerging Holy Cross side laced with talent and skill.
All eyes will be on five eighth Politoni, hooker Parata and centre Rogica - the Ryde players who can turn a match with their pace and strength.
In form second rower Jarryd Clarke is another cub to watch - a strapping 17 year old forward with a huge work rate who improves with each game. Lion hearted prop Adrian Tatola also adds starch to a courageous young forward pack that has dented a few reputations in the earlier rounds.
Holy Cross meet St Dominics in the main game at 2.15pm.
St Gregory’s College Campbelltown square off with The Hills Sports High in the curtain-raiser at 1pm. Gates and canteen open from 12 noon.
Holy Cross Soccer
U/6 Purple: Holy Cross (K Shaw 3, T Wunsch 2, own gl) v All Saints Hunters Hill; White: Holy Cross (D Chaseling 3, N Perry 3, D Gross 2, D Taylor) v Saints United; U/7 Green: Holy Cross (L Nadile 2, C Belcastro 2, J Cavaleri) v All Saints; Red: Holy Cross (A Anquetil 2, B Barber 2, D Chaseling 2, D Donoghue 2, Z Hall 2, E Nicol 2, A Putro 2) v All Saints; 9/4: Holy Cross 2 (J Rodriguez, S Begg) West Ryde Rovers 1; 10/3: Holy Cross 1 Thornleigh Sports 0; 11/3: Beecroft Sports 4 Holy Cross 1 (R Morfuni); 12/5: Holy Cross 1
(P Iacono) Pennant Hills 1; 13/3: Holy Cross 2 (B Jang 2) West Pennant Hills 2; 21/1: Hills Hawks 10 Holy Cross 1 (E Khzouz); AA3: Macquarie Combined Sports 4 Holy Cross 3 (E Oshana, C Joannou, B Louka); AA4: Holy Cross 4 (M Galante 3, P Galante) WPH 1; AA13: Holy Cross 10 (A Harrison 3, M Waygood 2, M Gardner 2, N Casamento, R O’Donahue, J Kuzumilovic) Macquarie Uni 0; AA14: Normanhurst 4 Holy Cross 0; AA15: Holy Cross 2 (A Moore, M Bottaro) Gladesville Sharks 1; AA16: Ryde District 8 Holy Cross 0; O35/4: Saints United 1 Holy Cross 0
Hillies too strong
HUNTERS Hill Rugby Club sit on top of the Suburban Club Championship in their push for promotion after recording their third clean sweep in as many weeks.
The Hillies downed Epping 29-14 in first grade to narrow Merrylands lead on the ladder to three points. Boasting the return of captain Dave Weston and flanker Like MacClennan from overseas, Hillies managed to take the game away from a tired Epping side in the last ten minutes.
After a slow start Hillies put points on the board with tries from prop Weston and flanker Alex Vertoudakis.
The Black & Whites defence was tested fully after the break but they responded with solid tackling and rucking work. Full back Chase Mason managed to extend the Hillies lead, making it 17-7 through a penalty, before Epping finally managed to cross the line, kicking the conversion to narrow the difference to just three points.
But Hillies crossed twice with deft passing and execution from the backline with No 10 Dave Marshall and winger Matt Lane grabbing the tries.
In the minor grades, Hunters Hill seconds won 12-5; the unbeaten thirds 40-0 and fourths 41-0.
Greats at BJL Sports Luncheon
REMEMBER the Benny Elias field goal attempt that struck the crossbar in the epic 1989 rugby league Grand Final between Balmain and Canberra?
Mal Meninga’s ankle tap on a flying Mick Neil that left the Tigers’ bloodnut just short of the tryline with Balmain leading 14-8.
These classic moments will be discussed by the 1989 Tigers and Raiders legends at this Friday’s Balmain Junior League Sportsmen’s Luncheon at Le Montage Lilyfield from 12 noon.
Some of the biggest names in rugby league will come together to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Canberra’s historic Grand Final victory at Sydney Football Stadium.
Balmain legends Wayne ‘Junior’ Pearce, Benny Elias, Garry Jack, Paul Sironen, Steve ‘Blocker’ Roach and Tim Brasher 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.
There’ll be raffles and auctions and VIP tables are still available.
You can purchase by contacting your local Balmain junior club as $45 per seat goes back to the club when they book.
Balmain Junior League 2009
UNDER 9 Div 1: Leichhardt Wanderers Red 40 North Ryde 18; Dundas Shamrocks Yellow 50 Holy Cross 6; Five Dock RSL (bye); Div 2: Wanderers Black 38 Concord-Burwood Blue 16; Strathfield Raiders 34 Leichhardt Juniors 20; Balmain PCYC (bye); Div 3: Shamrocks Green 30 Carlingford Cougars 6; Wanderers White 22 Concord-Burwood Maroon 16.
UNDER 10 Div 1: Holy Cross Gold 50 Wanderers Red 0; Holy Cross Maroon 12 North Ryde 0; Wanderers Black 6 Concord-Burwood Maroon 6; Div 2: Leichhardt Juniors 40 Cougars 0; Holy Cross White 24 Concord-Burwood Blue 0; Shamrocks Green 34 Strathfield Raiders 18.
UNDER 11 Div 1: Holy Cross 6 Strathfield Raiders 6; Wanderers Red 16 North Ryde Red 16; Shamrocks 18 Concord-Burwood Blue 6; Div 2: Five Dock RSL 32 Wanderers Black 10; Cougars 16 Concord-Burwood Maroon 12; North Ryde White (bye).
UNDER 12 Div 1: Wanderers d Concord-Burwood Blue; Shamrocks Yellow 50 Concord-Burwood Maroon 6; Div 2: Leichhardt Juniors 12 Strathfield Raiders 10; Shamrocks Green 26 Cougars 4; Holy Cross (bye).
UNDER 13: Holy Cross 32 Leichhardt Juniors 4; Wanderers 42 Shamrocks 14; Cougars 18 Balmain PCYC 12; North Ryde 32 Concord-Burwood 26;
UNDER 14: North Ryde 26 Wanderers 10; Shamrocks 38 Concord-Burwood 12; Five Dock RSL 44 Holy Cross Maroon 8;
UNDER 15 Pool A: Leichhardt Wanderers 24 Shamrocks 6; Pool B: Strathfield Raiders 14s 24 Holy Cross Maroon 14s 20;
UNDER 16 Pool B: North Ryde 42 Coogee-Randwick 4; Wanderers 40 South Sydney Mustangs 20;
UNDER 17 Pool A: Mascot 32 Five Dock RSL 20; Leichhardt Juniors d La Perouse; Pool B: Holy Cross 24 Brighton Seagulls 12; Clovelly Crocs 24 North Ryde 14;
UNDER 19: Wanderers 44 Alexandria Rovers 12.
Centenary Plaque
ARL chief executive Geoff Carr and Balmain Football Club president David Trodden (pictured) unveiled a commemorative plaque at Balmain Town Hall on Monday to celebrate a significant milestone.
In 2008, as part of the Centenary of Rugby League, Balmain Town Hall was officially recognised as a place of great significance in the history of Australian Rugby League and especially to the Balmain Tigers. On January 23, 1908 over 600 people met at Balmain Town Hall to officially form the Balmain Rugby League Football Club. Almost three months later, on April 20, Balmain defeated Western Suburbs 24-0 at Birchgrove Oval in the opening round of the NSWRL’s first premiership season. TWT on-the-spot PHOTO.
Eastwood Ryde Netball Roundup
Top Ryde City Shopping Centre major sponsor of Holmans ERNA Netball: August 1: 10/1 NRS d CFlm 19-14, WRR d RRSL 15-3, GRav d RRSL 13-7, DCen d NRS 14-5 10/2 NRRSL d Vlla 9-7, CCom d DUtd 17-10, CFlm d Alex 17-7, NRS d WRR 6-5 10/3 MBB d NRS 25-0, StK d CFlm 12-1, OLQP d MDS 25-0 10/4 WRR d OLQP 7-3, Vlla d NRRSL 5-4, RRSL d SSab 20-0, EEgls d GRav 22-3 11/1 WRR d DCen 30-9, NRRSL d NRS 37-1, CFlm d NRRSL 24-7 11/2 StG d OLQP 38-1, DUtd d MDS 15-8, CFlm d Villa 18-15 11/3 GRav d RRSL 16-4, CFlm d WRR 16-7, DCen d WRR 12-10 11/4 RRSL d MBB 31-5, MBB d NRS 31-3, EEgls d Villa 17-1 12/1 DCen d GRav 15-9, NRS d NRRSL 29-12, StG d WRR 31-18 12/2 DUtd d Alex 31-14, NRRSL d RRSL 31-19, NRS d RRSL 25-15 12/3 NRS d YMCA 27-6, OLQP d Villa 24-5, RRSL d MBB 22-18 12/4 WRR d NRS 17-12, GRav d NRRSL 19-1, GRav d SS 21-2 13/1 StG d DU 41-7, CFlm d NRRSL 36-16, NRS d DCen 45-7 13/2 NRRSL d GRav 22-18, SS d WRR 24-9, WRR d WW 29-13 13/3 NRS d DCen 29-14, SS d NRRSL 17-15, StG d WW 30-17 13/4 MBB d WRR 23-17, CCom d OLMC 9-7, SS d WW 11-6 14/1 NRRSL d SS 31-21, DU d NRRSL f, NRRSL d RRSL 45-7 14/2 WW d YMCA 17-16, SS d OLMC 35-9, WRR d OLMC 18-17 14/3 WRR d YMCA 27-22, GRav dr MBB 8-8, CFlm d SS 42-4 15/1 WW dCFlm 41-16, SSab d NRRSL 75-6, SSab d DU 27-24 15/2 NRRSL d GRav 64-12, SSab d RLdy 19-15, WW d SSab 31-9 15/3 OLMC d WRR 25-20,CFlm d EEgls 32-23, WW d MBB 23-19 CDT1 NRRSL w RLdy f, WRR d DUtd 48-36, WRR d WWich 70-15 CDT2 DCen d Alex 33-22, WRR d EEgls 45-33, CFlm d St K 54-21, SSab d WRR 32-15 CDT3 RRSL d SS 46-13, CFlm d OLMC 36-14, DUtd d EUtd 31-29 CDT4 YMCA d OLMC 46-32, SSab d NRRSL 29-23, YMCA d NRRSL 38-17 CDT5 GRav d OLMC 26-16, WRR d YMCA 45-10, DCen d SSab 48-2 A1 CFlm d WRR 44-33, WRR dr WRR 42-42, CFlm d GRav 58-50, WWich d NRS 48-15 A2 Dutd d CFlm 50-26, OLMC d WRR 55-37, WRR d Alex 39-31, NRRSL d CFlm 34-18 B1 YMCA d ER&N 44-40, GRav d Alex 36-21, WRR d NRRSL 52-44, WWich d NRS 42-34 B2 CFlm d ER&N 52-21, WRR d NRRSL 54-39, CFlm w Alex f, StG d WRR 51-33 B3 WRR d CFlm 45-38, CFlm d NRRSL 47-44, DUtd d NRS 52-22 B4 Alex d ER&N 48-13, SSab d EUtd 36-28, WRR dNRRSL 30-19, WWich d EXLs 39-26 C1 DUtd d Alex 57-25, GRav d NRS 48-35, Aqua d MBB 57-17 C2 DUtd d ER&N 47-15, EEgls d WRR 51-35, BBrds d WRR 53-50 C3 StK d WRR 44-27, CFlm w NRRSL f,
CFlm d RLdy 48-24, DUtd d WRR 48-23 C4 ER&N d MBB 40-38, WRR d RLdy 46-44, EXL’s d RLdy 44-32, NRRSL d WRR 56-27 C5 Alex w WRR f, CFlm d NRS 37-15, WRR d MBB 48-26 C6 NRRSL d DUtd 29-19, GRav d WWich 51-18, YMCA d SSab 42-23, GRav d WRR 58-8 C7 NRRSL d DUtd 33-27, DUtd d StG 32-19, NRS d MDS 31-22, GRav d EEgls 54-25, DUtd d YMCA 74-23 D MBB w GRav f, DCen d StG 33-29, RLdy d WWich 30-18, RRSL d GRav 23-21.
Panthers celebrate 75 years of hockey in Ryde
Milestone Awards Presentation Honours Hockey Stalwarts
RYDE-HUNTERS HILL Hockey Club celebrated 75 years of hockey in the Ryde district last Saturday with special presentation of milestone awards at the Keith Thompson Hockey Centre at North Ryde.
Pictured are members of the Panthers’ first grade mens team that suffered a 3-1 loss to Moorebank with Club president Maurice Dawson, club stalwart and Hockey Australia director Jeff McEwen, Ryde City councillor Roy Maggio and junior players.
Cameron Brown was the lone scorer for Ryde in a hard fought top grade clash with the Panther cubs - the youngest first grade side in the Sydney Hockey League - holding their own against fourth placed Moorebank with a stout hearted performance.
MEANWHILE Ryde U/9 team remained undefeated and played strongly in their six games at the 6-a-side Carnival last weekend at Warringah.
The Panther cubs were represented by Rachel Tillot, Alec Radford, Carlin Williamson, Kayl Lindsay, Darcy Keogh, Alex Kennedy, Laurence Kennedy and Bruce Farquarson.
Ryde U/7 team played well at times but had a tough tournament against the older players .They were represented by Zoe McMillan 6, Alicia MacMillan 4, Beth Doby 4, Tom Doby 6, Tilly Keough 5, Kailey Whittaker 6, Kate Kennedy 5, Nicola Farquarson 5, Jay Campbell 4 and Joel Merchant,7.
MENS: Seconds: Moorebank 5 Ryde 0; Thirds: Moorebank 2 Ryde 1 (Greg Findlay); Fourths: Ryde 5 (Mark Greaves 2, Adam Shields, Amauri Amat, Dan Waring) Moorebank 2; Fifths: Ryde 4 (Brynn Furmidge, Scott Morrison, Tom Sykes, Mark Eggers) Moorebank 1; 6th: Ryde 6 (Mike Davison 2, Adrian Fernandes 2, Quinten Adams, Kerry Marthick) Moorebank 1; 8th: Ryde 1 (Greg Merchant) Monterey 0; 9th: Ryde 1 (Ken Nicholl) Briars 1; 10th: Briars 1 Ryde 0; U/17A: Ryde 3 Glebe 1; B: Ryde 2 (Adam Maggio, Johnathon Wu) St George 0; U/15A: Ryde 14 Glebe 0; WOMEN: Firsts: Moorebank 4 Ryde 0; Seconds: Moorebank 2 Ryde 1 (Alex Richardson); Thirds: Sutherland 2 Ryde 1 (Dominique Tillman).
TWT on-the-spot PHOTO.
State records tumble for swimmer Laura
Training six to eight times per week with Ryde Carlile Swimming Club and competing at both age and open competitions, 14 year old Laura has stamped her mark on NSW distance swimming during 2009.
At the State Age Championships held at Homebush earlier this year, Laura was crowned NSW under 13 long course champion in both 400 and 800 metres freestyle.
She followed up these impressive results with some fine performances at the Winter Metropolitan Championships in June.
Laura broke the Metropolitan and NSW records in the 400 and 800m freestyle, a feat that surprised all except for dedicated coach Idesa Vincent.
As a 14 year old Laura’s times qualify her for Open competition as well. At the NSW Open Championships held on July 24-25, Laura was placed fifth in the 800m freestyle - again breaking the NSW 14 years age record. She also was the NSW age champion in the 400 metres freestyle.
Laura also represented Riverside Girls High School in swimming competition. Later this year she’ll travel to Perth to represent NSW at the national schools championships. In all her swimming endeavours, Laura displays outstanding sportsmanship and is an excellent role model for other young swimmers.
Ryde Carlile head coach Toby Condon says that “Laura loves to work hard, she’s always prepared to do that extra bit in the pool before she stops to play around and chat with her many friends.”
TEENAGE swim sensation Laura Crockart is a rising star on the NSW swimming scene.
Club boatshed plan stalled by Council
by Civic Reporter Lauren Nicholls
Sydney Uni Rowing Club’s plan to build a 14-metre high boatshed at Cunningham’s Reach is creating waves around Lane Cove.
Councillors voted at Monday night’s meeting to defer the application for five weeks after listening to dozens of speakers for and against the proposal.
A group of residents and the Lane Cove Bushland Society opposed the development, saying it would have a detrimental impact on the environment and recreational use of the park.
Society president Ron Gornall said he would prefer the club to redevelop their original site or look for more degrading land along the river.
“There are other sites that are not used by people on a regular basis,” he said.
However Sydney Uni Rowing said they chose the site at Cunningham’s Reach because it would have the least impact on recreational users.
Lane Cove Mayor Ian Longbottom said the site was an ideal location.
“This land is land that is hardly used,” he said.
Lane Cove Council held a site meeting at the proposed location on Saturday morning after Clr Win Gaffney had said she couldn’t vote on such a big development without seeing the impact it would have.
Sydney Uni Rowing said the defferal would give them an opportunity to address the concerns that came out of the meeting.
The club is currently operating from temporary buildings next to the St Ignatius College boatshed.
Program Coordinator Chris Noel said while they were grateful for the use of space at St Ignatius, they couldn’t row at Riverview forever.
“Having us there restricts some activities of their own rowing program,” he said. “The new shed will house the fleet for higher levels of the Sydney Uni Rowing program.”
He said the shed would house racing boats, single sculls, pairs, fours and eights as well as coaching boats.
Nearby resident Margaret Clinch said the storage facility didn’t belong in the middle of a park that people used for picnics, walking and relaxation.
“We’re losing our park just so they can store their boats,” she said.
Resident and Bushland Society member Frances Vissel said she was astounded at the size of the building.
“It is a massive large-scale development.”
Mr Gornall said the ground floor covered an area of 850 square metres.
“It is not only a big building in terms of area but it is also very high.”
Mr Gornall said it was an obtrusive and invasive construction.
“It is a really gorgeous little piece of land. To have such a large structure lumped in the middle of it is not a proper use for the site,” he said.
“We think it’s wrong to alienate public land like this.”
Ms Vissel said the park should be open for public use by locals, not private developments by groups from out of the area.
“Sydney Uni is not in Lane Cove,” she said.
“And this disadvantages the people of Lane Cove.”
Clr Gaffney said Lane Cove Council was not even obligated to provide the club with an area.
Mr Noel said the Lane Cove River was one of the best training and development locations for the sport.
“It offers the long runs necessary for the development of the aerobic base necessary to develop to the higher levels of the sport,” he said.
“And for our schools program it offers safe and protected waters.”
Mr Noel says the locals will benefit from the facility as Sydney Uni Sport has offered to run a community secondary schools program from Cunningham’s Reach.
“This will offer students in years 9 to 12 who live in the Lane Cove area the opportunity to participate in a sport that builds teamwork and dedication and rewards input.”
Mayor Longbottom said it was a great opportunity for local young people to be trained by coaches who train Olympians.The matter will be dealt with by Lane Cove Council on Monday September 7.
Angry locals inspect the plans for a boatshed at Cunningham’s Reach on Lane Cover River. Pictured l to r are: Frances Vissel, Peter Ryan, Kevin Phillips and Ron Gornall. TWT on-the-spot photo.
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