with Chris Karas
Hawks Junior State Touch Champs
RYDE Eastwood Touch Football Association held a gear presentation night last Thursday for its Junior State Cup representative squads at Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club.
Pictured are talented prospects Teagan Noel and Carrie Edgar (U/14 Girls) and Regan Walsh and Matt Wilson (U/14 Boys) with Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club directors Jack King (front),Paul Moujalli and Dennis Petkovich, RETFA president Garry Noel and RETFA vice presidents Glenn ‘Chipper’ Smith and Paul Mazzitelli.
The Junior State Cup championships will be staged on February 20-21 at Dalton Park, Fairy Meadow in Wollongong.
TWT on-the-spot PHOTO.
Tigers new breed showcase skills
Around the Wickets
with CHRIS KARAS
SYDNEY Cricket Club has struggled on the Sydney metropolitan grade scene this summer but the future looks bright following the impressive deeds of the Tigers’ U/16 A.W Green Shield team.
Club officials predict big things from this talented crop that dominated the competition’s preliminary rounds - winning six of the seven matches played to advance to the qualifying finals.
Under the coaching of established first grade batsman Tim Sparke, the Tiger cubs were a force to be reckoned with - posting wins over eventual champions Bankstown, runners up Manly-Warringah, Campbelltown-Camden, Hawkesbury, Northern District and Penrith.
But their dreams of emulating the feat of Mike Gatting’s champion 1979-80 cubs were shattered with a five wicket loss to Manly in a qualifying final at Drummoyne Oval.
In an ironic twist, the Sydney team were rolled by the Seasiders - just 12 days after the Tigers had given Manly a shellacking on their home turf at Graham Reserve.
On that day the Sydney cubs had registered 6-220 with a brilliant century by all rounder Matt Pasternatsky (132) before skittling Manly for 76.
The following round the Tigers recorded a five wicket victory over the powerful Bankstown side to zoom into title calculations.
History shows that Bankstown went on to defeat Manly in the Shield final.
Sydney general manager David Kelly said the Tigers’ U/16 Class of 2009-10 was the strongest squad assembled since the club’s halcyon days in the 1980s.
“This team had loads of potential and left their mark in the lead up to the finals,” reflected Kelly.
“Unfortunately they couldn’t produce their best against Manly in the finals series and crashed out of the title race.”
“Tim did an excellent job with the squad and unearthed some top prospects.”
“The boys were fine ambassadors and did the club proud” he added.
Opening batsman Shaun Miller, all rounders Pasternatsky and Alex Rashleigh, keeper-batsman Will Trevett and pace bowler Sanjay Parasher were the stand outs in a well-balanced Tigers’ squad.
Miller, who has forced his way into the club’s second grade X1, topped the batting averages with 272 runs at an impressive 45.3 which included an unbeaten 101 against Hawkesbury.
The emerging Trevett was a revelation behind the stumps and showed his batting skills at the top of the order - scoring 227 runs at 32.4.
Pasternatsky - another century maker - hit 233 runs at 33.3 and picked up nine wickets @ 19.7 to underline his value while the talented Rashleigh bagged 17 wickets @ 9.5 and scored 198 runs @ 33.0.
In speed merchant Parasher (14 wickets @ 19.0), the Tigers have a young fast bowler destined for bigger things.
The Tigers’ 1979-80 Green Shield-winning squad featured a future Test spinner in Gavin Robertson, NSW paceman Andrew Jones and star Wallaby centre Brett Papworth, who was a gifted ‘keeper-batsman.
PICTURED are Tigers’ Green Shield squad members Akshay Nichkawde (captain), Shaun Miller, Will Trevett, Matt Pasternatsky, Alex Rashleigh, Mitch Healey, Shaun Eaton, Sam Hulston, Shantanu Havele, Jock Wallace, Larson Rungwerth, Sanjay Parasher and Pat Rogers.
Panthers to set new turf alight in 2010
RYDE-Hunters Hill Hockey Club eagerly awaits the start of the 2010 Sydney Hockey season.
When The Weekly Times went to press the finishing touches were being applied to a new $350,000 turf surface.
If the hockey was fast during the 2009 competition there is no telling its speed for the forthcoming season.
With a lighting upgrade on the way, night hockey will be of an international standard.
On the score of hockey, the Panthers have much to look forward to.
In season 2009, Ryde-Hunters Hill first grade men’s team was the surprise packet of the Sydney Hockey Association competition.
With an average age of 20, the team thrilled supporters and coach Bill Greenlees with their sixth place finish.
With more experience and the exciting representative talent of Ben Craig, Nic McEwen, Duncan Pearce and Andrew Todd to develop further, there’s much to look forward to.
Equally the women’s youthful first grade team is looking to stake its claim in the demanding first grade competition.
Following a season of consolidation in 2009 and led by rep stars Kirsten Pearce and Johanna Rowlands this team has set itself a challenging and exciting agenda.
And there’s no stopping the Ryde juniors who are as keen as the senior players to test out the new turf.
Ryde-Hunters Hill has welcomed a new batch of enthusiastic members and is looking to field a number of new teams from U/9s through to U/17s.
Once again all teams will be striving to earn points towards the North Area Junior Hockey Association Club Championship.
The Club enjoys a proud record in this regard, having won six out of the past seven Club Championship titles.
Club President Maurie Dawson echoes the club’s enthusiasm for the forthcoming season, noting that with 30 teams there is a home for all hockey enthusiasts and aspirants at Ryde Hunters Hill Hockey.
For further information about Ryde Hockey log on to website: www.rydehockey.
asn.au
Tigers roar in Nines
BALMAIN-Ryde Eastwood rugby league side tuned up for the 2010 NSW Cup season with a strong showing at last Saturday’s International Nines event at Cabramatta.
Paul Fletcher’s Tigers - winners of the 2007 Nines championship - suffered a 12-6 loss to Windsor in the final at New Era Stadium after registering impressive victories in the preliminary rounds.
It was the Tigers’ third successive appearance in a Nines final.
Impact forwards David Gower, Jared Farlow, Ryan Carr and sharp back Sean Meaney turned in top displays along with U/20 recruits Darren Nicholls and David Fifita.
Another player to shine was slick utility Toby Marshall - a cousin of Wests Tigers’ star and Kiwi Test captain Benji Marshall.
The Tigers defeated Bankstown Bulls (18-14) and Campbelltown (16-10) before tipping out Tonga (20-8) in a quarter final and The Entrance (26-8) in a semi final.
Balmain-Ryde Eastwood meet Wentworthville in an official trial this Sunday at Ringrose Park from 6pm.
Play netball at ERNA
2010 netball season will commence soon and there are many clubs in the Eastwood Ryde Netball Association looking for players aged 8 to seniors.
It doesn’t matter if you have played before - have fun, make new friends and get fit!
ERNA is also looking for a grounds supervisor for Brush Farm during the season. If you have Saturday mornings free and are willing to help out, contact the office 9874 2190 or email erna@idx.com.au
Registrations close soon. Further details check website: www.erna.org.au or phone office.
Cubs historic WA match
BALMAIN S.G Ball U/18 rugby league team will embark on a history-making trip to Western Australia this weekend for the opening round of the NSWJRL Cup series. More next issue.
Spackman bags 7-38
A HAT trick by journeyman Steve Spackman proved the highlight of North Ryde RSL Cricket Club’s limited overs success in the Northern District Cricket Association competition.
Evergreen Spackman - a fierce competitor who tasted premiership success with Ravens and the Holy Cross Crusaders in the Gladesville Cricket Association competition - wrecked the Rydalmere batting line up with a magic haul of 7-38 for his new club North Ryde in fifth grade.
The wily veteran produced a stunning spell of seam bowling to claim a hat-trick and set up a convincing 58 run win.
Other North Ryde players to impress were Matt Tilley (84 not out), Toby Newton-McGee (74 not out), Chris Cheung (61), George Scapellato (60), Clive Cachia (56), Daniel Buttrey (4-5), Matt Maittlen (4-10), Cam Gordon (4-15) and Maria Harrison (4-24).
FIRSTS: (Round 11) Rydalmere 7-146 (Dan Gorman 3-21, Steve Mann 2-30) drew with North Ryde RSL 2-137 (Clive Cachia 47, Kel Gray 39, Mark Anderson 32); Round 12: North Ryde RSL 1-103 (Sohail Ghafourian 48no, M Anderson 31no, Ben Dobson 20) d West Ryde Rovers 95 (D Gorman 4-27, Mitchell Weeden 3-8).
SECONDS: (Round 11) North Ryde RSL 8-193 (Brett Lincoln 34, Matt Roberts 34, Shaun Bonny 34) drew with Rydalmere 3-87 (Shaun Hedger 1-6, Shaun Bonny 1-8); Round 12: West Ryde Rovers 5-144 (Tom Crockart 3-13, Andrew Thomas 1-20) d North Ryde RSL 140 (C Cachia 56, S Mann 25).
THIRDS: (Round 11) North Ryde RSL Blue 2-183 (Toby Newton-McGee 74no, Chris Cheung 61, Scott Martin 24) d Rydalmere 110 (Cam Gordon 4-15, Daniel Buttrey 3-33, T Newton-McGee 2-10); North Ryde RSL Gold 3-182 (Matt Tilley 84no, Mick Jeffery 43no) d Epping YMCA 8-181 (M Jeffery 3-23, Rod Flynn 2-70); Round 12: North Ryde RSL Blue 125 (T Newton-McGee 38, Jason Poutawa 29) d West Ryde Rovers 58 (D Buttrey 4-5, T Newton-McGee 3-12); North Ryde RSL d Epping YMCA 49 (M Jeffery 3-15, R Flynn 2-2, Ben Lyons 2-15);
FOURTHS: (Round 11) North Ryde RSL 8-157 (George Scapellato 60, Jason Reay 34, Russ Maittlen 27) d Rydalmere 36 (Matt Maittlen 4-10, J Reay 3-12, Ross Gordon 2-0); Round 12: Carlingford 150 (Maria Harrison 4-24, R Gordon 3-21, M Maittlen 2-26) d North Ryde RSL 112 (Mick Nicol 47, Bernie Russell 14).
FIFTHS: (Round 11) North Ryde RSL 152 (Shane Miller 33, Michael Furness 28, Ben Bury 17) d Rydalmere 94 (Steve Spackman 7-38 including hat-trick, Andrew Parry 1-4, Ben Lopez 1-13, Steve Smith 1-19); Round 12: Vikings 4-154 (M Furness 1/13, B Lopez 1/23, Matt Furness 1-32, Geoff Cordner 1-36) d
North Ryde RSL 152 (G Cordner 46, A Parry 23, Rob Bury 22).
Rugby juniors prosper
HUNTERS Hill Junior Rugby Club - one of the largest junior rugby nurseries in Australia - is shaping up for another bumper season in 2010.
The Club won six titles in 2009 - more than any other club in the Metro North Zone - and collected the Club Championship trophy.
This was a great result for Hunters Hill club which has grown from two teams in 1997 to over 450 juniors last season.
Hunters Hill Juniors compete in A, B & C Grade competitions from U/10s to U15s and A & B competitions in U/16s and U/18s. Matches are played on Sunday with some Friday night games for U/10s to U12s - a great social night at Boronia Park Oval for families to come and watch rugby.
U/6 to U/9s rugby is played in the Gordon Juniors Mini (ungraded) competition and offers tag rugby for U/6 & U/7s and non contested scrums in U/8s and U/9s.
In 2009 Hunters Hill JRU signed up to be part of the Australian Rugby Union junior coaching pilot program and this year will continue its association with the ARU junior coaching resource - ensuring that players are exposed to best practice in junior rugby coaching.
Hunters Hill can boast three reps in the current U/15 NSW team and four boys in the ARU Development program for U/16s including Andrew Kellaway and James Goldie - both local products.
Hugh Roach - another Hillies junior - recently returned from the Australian Schoolboys Tour of the United Kingdom and acknowledges that his passion for playing rugby began way back in the Minis.
Hunters Hill Juniors attracts a large portion of its registrations from outside the local demographic with many kids from the inner west, north shore and Eastwood district playing at the club.
Hunters Hill is a club strongly focused on developing - not only players’ skills - but ensuring children’s enjoyment of playing and training for rugby is paramount.
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