with Chris Karas
Year of The Tigers!
Tigers Trim, Taut and Tigeriffic!
2010 is officially The year of The Tiger and Wests Tigers and Balmain Ryde Eastwood Tigers rugby league teams are going to make it come true for them and their legion of loyal local supporters and fans.
Balmain Ryde Eastwood Tigers kick-off this Saturday at Henson Park and Wests Tigers follow Monday night at the Sydney Football Stadium.
TV personality Lisa Wilkinson hosted last Friday’s Tigers official launch at Star City and she interviewed on stage Tigers coach Tim Sheens and star players, l to r, Chris Lawrence, Benji Marshall, Gareth Ellis and captain Robbie Farah. TWT on-the-spot PHOTO.
INSIDE: LIFT-OUT GUIDE & DRAW
Tigers primed for season opener
PRIZE Wests Tigers recruit Lote Tuqiri is freely tipped to make his rugby league comeback next Monday night in the club’s 2010 NRL pipe-opener clash with Manly at Sydney Football Stadium.
The dual international, who has signed a three year deal with the club, has arrived back in Sydney after completing a rugby stint in England with the Leicester Tigers and could debut on the left flank as a replacement for injured winger Taniela Tuiaki.
Coach Tim Sheens will monitor Tuqiri’s fitness before settling on his team to tackle the Sea Eagles in a blockbusting season opener.
Since capturing the 2005 NRL premiership crown, the Tigers have ‘under achieved’ by failing to reach the semi finals but 2010 is shaping nicely for the joint-venture club under the guidance of experienced mentor Sheens.
The Kangaroos coach has bolstered the Tigers’ stocks with the signing of Tuqiri, former New Zealand prop Jason Cayless, Penrith centre Geoff Daniela, Cronulla utility back Mitch Brown, former Brisbane winger Tame Tupou, English forward Mark Flanagan and flashy half Arana Taumata.
The return of premiership-winning lock Liam Fulton and utility Daniel Fitzhenry is another plus for the Tigers, who are bent on snapping their recent finals drought.
Five eighth wizard Benji Marshall and classy hooker Robbie Farah will again spearhead the Tigers attack while Great Britain forward Gareth Ellis adds plenty of grunt to an under-rated forward pack.
In sharp centre Chris Lawrence and dynamic utility backs Tim Moltzen and Blake Ayshford, the Tigers have three of the hottest talents in the NRL competition.
Add Tuqiri, human wrecking ball Tuiaki and the elusive Beau Ryan and the Tigers can boast one of the most explosive backlines in the premiership.
Rookie half Robert Lui, 20, gets first crack at the number seven jumper and has impressed in recent trials against the Roosters and Sharks.
Strapping young prop Keith Galloway is primed for a big season after representing City in 2009 and is part of a powerful pack that features impact players in Chris Heighington, Todd Payten, Bryce Gibbs and rookie Simon Dwyer.
Wests Tigers skipper Robbie Farah presents TV personality Lisa Wilkinson with a club jumper in appreciation for her hosting last Friday’s 2010 season launch. TWT on-the-spot PHOTO.
Medals for Tigers’ iron men
BALMAIN-Ryde Eastwood honoured five of their toughest warriors for outstanding service at the Balmain District Football Club AGM last Sunday at Balmain Leagues Club.
Pictured with Tigers’ interim general manager Paul Sironen and coach Paul Fletcher are club captain Lee Bennett, power forwards Loni Vunakece and David Gower and utility Gavin Cowan who all received special medals for playing 100 grade games.
A fifth player - gun lock Jarred Farlow - also achieved the milestone but was absent from last Sunday’s medal presentation.
Bennett, Vunakece, Gower, Cowan and Farlow have all graduated together from the Tigers’ Jersey Flegg Cup grade ranks to Premier League and NSW Cup with distinction.
They are key players in a Balmain-Ryde Eastwood squad that is eager to go one better than last year’s Grand Final appearance against Bankstown Bulls at ANZ Stadium.
A super fit Bennett is primed for a big season and said the team was counting the days to the start of the competition.
Gower - named the NSW Cup Player of the Year for 2009 - made his top grade debut for Wests Tigers in the last round win over the Bulldogs and is being closely monitored by head coach Tim Sheens.
Lazarus rises again
By CHRIS KARAS
BLAKE Lazarus is hoping for an ounce of luck when he runs out for the Balmain-Ryde Eastwood rugby league team in this year’s NSW Cup competition.
The talented utility back has been touted the game’s “most unluckiest footballer” after sustaining season-ending knee injuries in trial matches before the start of both the 2008 and 2009 Cup series.
Lazarus will play half back or five eighth with Paul Fletcher’s Tigers outfit and is set to form a potent combination with either new recruit Arana Taumata or the skilful Darren Nicholls, who skippered the Wests Tigers’ U/20 side to a Grand Final appearance last season.
The Tigers open their 2010 campaign against traditional rivals Newtown in a heritage double-header this Saturday at Henson Park with a 5pm kick off.
Curtain-raiser will be the Western Suburbs v North Sydney clash at 3pm.
Fletcher again has an abundance of talent among his ranks led by punishing forwards David Gower, Al Schirnack, Jarred Farlow, hooker Ryan Carr, Luke McInnes, Matt Davidson and Loni Vunakece.
Impact players out wide include fullback Sean Meaney, utility backs Gavin Cowan and Matt Ryan, exprienced winger Lee Bennett and the quicksilver Brett Lane.
Promising U/20 graduates David Fifita, Rhys Curran, Jason Schirnack and English recruit Mark Flanagan should bolster the pack while players of the calibre of Willie Mataka, Ben McDougall and Mitch Brown - all with NRL experience - add depth to a squad capable of emulating the deeds of 2009.
Clean sweep for enterprising cubs
By CHRIS KARAS
BALMAIN junior representative rugby league teams roared loudly at Leichhardt Oval last Saturday - posting emphatic wins over Central Coast Centurions to stay on course for the finals.
The Tigers moved into fourth spot in the U/16 Harold Matthews Cup competition after whipping the Centurions 50-0 with powerful prop Dane Horne and classy half back Luke Brooks turning in stand out performances.
Tough forward Adrian Tatola was best on ground as Balmain slammed Central Coast 24-6 to register their second successive victory in the U/18 S.G Ball Cup series.
Brooks,15, was at his mercurial best as the Tiger cubs ran amok - running in nine tries to chalk up their second win from three games.
The NSW Schoolboys rep sparked the backline with his fleet footwork and ball skills and proved a dynamo in attack as Balmain jumped to a 26-0 lead at the interval.
Horne and back rower Alex Vlahos turned in non-stop displays with utility Nathan Bechara, winger Alex Apps and fullback Max Dimarco also leaving their mark.
Dimarco, deputising for the injured Mason Farrell, capped a fine game by scoring two tries and picking up the Players’ Player award.
BALMAIN 50 (M Dimaro 2, M Mouawad, L Funaki, N Paul, L Brooks, S Funaki, A Vlahos, N Bechara tries; M Mouawad 7 gls) d CENTRAL COAST 0.
* * *
ADRIAN Tatola produced his best game in a Balmain jumper to help the U/18 cubs taste victory in a game marred by second half errors.
The Holy Cross junior carted the ball up strongly and defended like a trojan to earn both the Man of the Match and Players’ Player awards.
Powerful Tigers’ forwards Hayden Crockett, Joel Luani, hooker Michael Graham and half back and skipper Ben Saunders also turned in crackerjack displays.
Saunders was inspirational in all facets of play and showed his potential by scoring two neat tries.
Balmain host Western Sydney Academy in the Matthews Cup this Saturday at Leichhardt Oval from 10am and Melbourne Storm in S.G Ball Cup at 11.30am.
BALMAIN 24 (B Saunders 2, C Sironen, M Graham tries; C Sironen 4 gls) d CENTRAL COAST 6 (M Bryson try; M Killick gl).
Moore & Sparke engineer win
HALF centuries from young opener Justin Moore and NSW Second X1 representative Tim Sparke piloted Sydney to a morale-boosting victory over Blacktown in the Sydney first grade cricket competition at Joe McAleer Oval last weekend.
The Tigers (9-278) collected much needed points after eclipsing Blacktown’s total of 226 - with Moore (76) and Sparke (60) the batting spearheads.
They figured in a vital third wicket partnership of 95 on the second day with valuable support from experienced skipper Russel Arnold (49) and James Crosthwaite (39).
Moore clouted six boundaries during his 131 ball knock with the ever-reliable Sparke in superb touch - smashing a whirlwind 60 off 81 deliveries with eleven boundaries and a six.
Arnold was just as impressive, scoring 49 off 31 balls with four boundaries and two sixes before he was caught by Beadle off the bowling of Blacktown paceman Gurinder Sandhu.
The prize scalp of Arnold capped a wholehearted performance from speed merchant Sandhu who finished with the excellent figures of 5-48 off 18 overs.
Hole in one by Warwick seals Shamrocks classic
FIFTY would-be golfers with stars in their eyes recently competed in the third annual Dundas Shamrocks JRLFC Golf Day held at Parramatta Golf Course. Scratch winners for the day at four under par was the group led by former Balmain and Parramatta forward enforcer Mark ‘Pa’ Clinton, Rob Cincotta, Dave Wicks and Greg ‘Moon’ Warwick. A sensational hole in one on the 18th by the gifted Warwick proved a telling shot - snatching victory from two other groups on three under. The group of Bob Seimsen, Bob Cooper, Garry Jenkins and Mani Edmonds won the Nett competition with good consistent golf. Another highlight was Jeremy Gosper’s drive on the first which won the Longest Drive with a shot that Tiger Woods would have been proud of. The Shamrocks golf crew thanked all who participated on the day and provided prizes. The event raised valuable funds for the Shamrocks club.
Tons for Cordner and Gordon
STYLISH centuries by Geoff Cordner and Ross Gordon and a nine wicket haul by paceman Tim Cordner were the highlights for North Ryde RSL Cricket Club in the Northern District Cricket Association competition last round.
Gordon hit an unbeaten 100 against Rydalmere in fourth grade while Geoff Cordner (109) and son Tim (9-49) combined to rout Rydalmere in a fifth grade fixture.
Other North Ryde players to shine were all rounder Kel Gray (74 & 4-44); Ben Lyons (76), Alex Pritchard (69), Andrew Parry (59), Ryan Yule (54 not out) and Matt Maittlen (5-14).
FIRSTS: (Round 14) Carlingford 9 dec 227 (Kel Gray 4-44, Mark Anderson 2-45) drew with North Ryde RSL 9-200 (K Gray 74, Scott Martin 21, Dan Gorman 20no);
SECONDS: (Round 14) North Ryde RSL 2 dec 94 (Ryan Yule 54no, Luke McGuinn 21) & 4-66 (Shaun Hedger 23, L McGuinn 14) d Meadowbank 37 (Mitch Weeden 4-22, Andrew Thomas 1-13) & 116 (S Hedger 4-13, Tom Crockart 3-10) outright;
THIRDS: (Round 14) North Ryde RSL Blue 6 dec 187 (Alex Pritchard 69, Jason Poutawa 48, Sam Trickett 27) d Carlingford 60 (Toby Newton-McGee 3-13, Cam Gordon 2-1, Alex Thomson 2-12) & 88 (J Poutawa 3-22, T Newton-McGee 3-22) outright; North Ryde RSL Gold 5 dec 178 (Ben Lyons 76, Roy Maggio 33, Mick Jeffery 25) d Rydalmere 76 (M Jeffery 4-17, Nick Doust 3-32).
FOURTHS: (Round 14) North Ryde RSL 7 dec 235 (Ross Gordon 100no, Lewis Mendis 37, Dave Murray 27, Dan Salama 21) d Rydalmere Sky Blue 65 (Matt Maittlen 5-14, Maria Harrison 2-11).
FIFTHS: (Round 14) North Ryde RSL 256 (Geoff Cordner 109, Andrew Parry 59) & 6-47 (A Parry 14, Shane Miller 13) d Rydalmere 142 (Tim Cordner 5-22, Ben Lopez 2-30, Matt Furness 2-49) & 8-168 (T Cordner 4-27, M Furness 3-44).
Junior Cricket
UNDER 15: North Ryde RSL 179 (Bradley Denlow 66, Chris Mather 38, Matt Estwick 30, Josh Stubbs 14) d Dundas 120 (Jacob Molloy 3-21, Ben Bury 3-29, J Stubbs 2-7, Ben Plug 2-14); North Ryde RSL 4 dec 212 (B Bury 82no, M Estwick 81no, B Denlow 18) d St Patricks 89 (B Bury 5-11, M Estwick 2-16, Mitchell Baldwin 1-4, J Stubbs 1-5, B Denlow 1-20) & 65 (M Estwick 5-10, B Bury 2-9, J Molloy 2-18, B Denlow 1-10) outright; North Ryde RSL 4-89 (M Estwick 30no, M Baldwin 14, C Mather 12, Ansh Dhalwal 8no) d Oakhill 81 (M Estwick 1-14, M Baldwin 1-5, C Mather 1-15, Ben Plug 1-15).
Cricket switch
ANNUAL cricket challenge match between Raven Electrical and TLE will now be played on Sunday March 21 at Westminster Park starting 9am. More next issue.
Junior Gladesville cricketers mix it with stars at SCG
GLADESVILLE RSL Junior Cricket Club was treated to a memorable day at a recent Australian cricket team training session at the SCG.
A lucky group from the Club’s Milo In2cricket program were able to participate in skill activities on the hallowed SCG turf and then watch the Australian side train in the nets before meeting up with their cricket heroes.
Experienced In2cricket co-ordinator Neil Hopkins reported that the youngsters had “a wonderful experience that they’ll treasure forever.”
Gladesville RSL Junior Cricket Club endeavours to provide opportunities that will develop both players’ love for the game and the skills to carry them successfully into the future.’
The ‘ fun and friendly’ beginners program for 4 to 6 year olds will be running again at Boronia Park Oval Hunters Hill on Friday afternoons later in the year. Neil can provide details on 0421213750.
PICTURED in front of the SCG members pavillion are juniors Zac, Darshan, Tom, Nils, Robert, Will and front Nicholas, Zoe, Jackson, Julian and Nicholas.
Skiff Sailing
Abbotsford 12 foot Flying Squadron March 6: Fleets at Abbotsford sailed Heat 6 of the Club Championship in a light north easterly breeze. Results were: 12 foot Skiffs: Maersk Line (Iakub Ronowicz), 24/7 Pest Control (Peter Hill), BAYS (Matthew Peat) Handicap: 24/7 Pest Control, Maersk Line, BAYS
Lasers: Vivacious (Lee Dewane), Zone (Darren Hoppe), Walk a Shore (Peter Barnes) Handicap: Walk a Shore, Indivisible (Tom Biskupic), Vivacious; One Up Sabot: Lightning Flash (Nicole Barnes), Another Circuit (Ann Vervoort), Sea U Later (Jameson Coombs) Handicap: Another Circuit, Lightning Flash, Sea U Later; Two Up Sabot: Little Wing (Elliott Collins), Boatzillah (Robin Biskupic), Boat 2 (Angus Lawrie) Handicap: Boat 2, Boatzillah, Little Wing.
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