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The woeful performance of the Waratahs has brought about some harsh truths. Their newish coach Daryl Gibson refuses to acknowledge that their Super Rugby season has “bolted” but described Last Sundays four-point loss to the Rebels at Allianz Stadium as a low point of the season. It was hard to watch the match. It was filled with the types of scholl-boy errors an under 15’s coach wouldn’t be that pleased with. Here, I think, is the very problem we have within the game at that level in Australia. We find these talented kids, put them on a pathway, and come hell or high-water, they play. I mean, if the money is spent developing these individuals, we’re kind of obligated to play them eventually aren’t we? Despite kids of the same age, that hadn’t yet matured, who are by now hungrier, desperate even, to become a success. Australian Rugby has problems. The top levels of the game, both administratively and in the playing ranks, are so removed from that of the grass roots level in this country, they are almost two separate entities. Rugby powers that be should be made watch re-runs of how the Chiefs dismantled a very good Brumbies side in Canberra last Saturday. They were clinical and yet entertaining. Able to run the ball whenever and apparently from wherever they chose to do so. Rugby, when played like that, has no peers in any code. Unfortunately, it seems as though Australian sides are incapable of playing the game this way. Kiwi sides don’t mind conceding points; they are fully aware that is a part of the game. They also know that they too will score some points and they back themselves to outscore their opposition. When second rowers are scoring tries on the wing after tacking onto the end of an attacking movement that was started through the little men charging through the middle, that team is bound to the winningest one on the day! No other team on the international stage comes close to the Kiwis when it comes to this all-encompassing faith in the style of game they are playing. They are number one for a reason and I can’t see anyone taking that from them anytime soon.
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The West Indies winning the World Twenty20 title is a massive shot in the arm for cricket. Not just the shorter format of the game, which they apparently go ok at, but there will be some spill over into the longer formats. If nothing else, the confidence they will have gained from winning a game most thought was beyond them, will be significant. Of course to win it the way they did - against England – was phenomenal! If you’ve not seen it, do yourself a favour. The very talented Carlos Brathwaite hit four successive sixes in the last over of England’s Ben Stokes. Interestingly, I’m not sure if I enjoyed England getting pumped like that or the assault from Brathwaite but it matters not; it was simply marvellous! I have read reports since that suggest ‘The world get behind Stokes’. Toughen up champ, twenty20 can be a brutal game for bowlers and unfortunately, you were on the receiving end! That’s the game isn’t it? Set up for batsmen to blast and bowlers to lament. I don’t necessarily like it but it is what it is. Of course there was some interesting moments/comments from some of the Windies players as they basked in the glow of the win. Skipper Darren Sammie attacked commentator Mark Nicholas and the Windies Board – basically saying they had won the tournament in spite of his country’s board. He went on to accuse Nicholas of referring to the Windies collectively as ‘a team with no brains’. Marlon Samuels attacked Warnie, their feud beginning some time back. To be fair to Warnie, Samuels has performed well below par in the longer formats of the game and last summer drew the ire of many for his seemingly disinterested approach. Samuels’ comments finished on a classic high though, stating “I don’t know why he hates me ... Maybe it’s because my face is real and his face is not”. Bam! Get that indya Warnie! Love it.
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It was an ugly look but not much else. The Bulldogs’ Josh Reynolds was ‘caught’ on camera appearing to reach up between the legs of his opponent, Aidan Sezer as Sezer was feeding a scrum. It didn’t look great, but one got the impression it was harmless. What was ugly was the instant and incessant reporting of it by the media. Since the incident, Reynolds has gone on social media to apologise stating “We’re good mates and it was just a bit of a joke. I hope no harm done.” Apparently the two played together in the Bulldogs U20’s before Sezer was smart enough to move on to another, winning club. The media converged upon it like Reynolds had committed a homicide, once again proving to all that, despite all protestations the media do NOT love the game, are NOT trying to protect its image and will do ANYTHING to bring it to its knees. Gutter reporting at its best. It was even compared to the infamous loose finger of John Hopoate from earlier this century… outrageous. Reynolds has past form, no hiding behind that, but of late, he has been playing quite well. And certainly he has kept his nose (and fingers) clean. I look forward to the day when the public finally stand against the larger media outlets for their continual efforts to bring the game down to their level. What gets me, is the constant pretence that by sensationalising these type of small non-incidents into something bigger, they are somehow protecting the game. Puh-lease! You pay people for their videos, make out like it’s something it’s not, and then sell a few extra papers through misinformation and mistruths until finally, the people decide for themselves it was crap and sales go back to their normal level. In a game of wet weather footy, one team out played another very, very well. Would be nice to have read a bit more about that rather than the non-incident of Josh Reynolds. I live in hope.
The Warriors War Cry PRESENTATION DAY Last Sunday, the Warriors celebrated their season with a Presentation Lunch at The Parkview Hotel, with a very strong crowd present it proved to be a very big success. Firstly, a very big thank you to the Ben, Nick, Robbo and the kitchen staff for their continued support of our great club with opening the Parky on a Sunday and as usual a great lunch with cold ales was provided. Being a formal event, the dress of all the attendees was excellent with most making the effort of donning a Club tie for the evening promoting a great feel for the event. The presentation started with the presenting of the Centenary Cup grade awards and skipper Marchington got to work and presented his championship winning team with Peter Shea taking out the Bowling average (6.43) and aggregate (14), Tim Dowler had
the batting average (50.25) and Ben Hazzard the aggregate (208). Peter Shea also snaffled the All-rounder award. 3rd Grade Skipper Jase Corby was next and he handed out the batting awards to Michael Evans with 215 runs at 30.71. The skipper himself cleaned up the rest with 19 wickets at 13.21 and the all-rounder award, very fitting one might say. 2nd Grade had some great award winners with Shane Powyer taking home the Bowling aggregate (27) and the all-rounder award. Tom Waters had the best bowling average with 8.55. Shaun Churchill pipped captain Stedlington for both batting awards with 450 runs at 56.25. First grade awards went to Jock Strap Cartwright for his average of 52.33, Cpt. Roundy Boundy took out the aggregate with 313. Our little Indian tweaker Jay Shah had the average with 12.93. Jackson
Coote then took home both the bowling aggregate (22) and all-rounder awards. The perpetual awards of the day were awarded a follows. Players Player was Craig Rogan, Fielder of the Year was Ben Hazzard, Man of the Finals was Tim Dowler, All-rounder was Shane Powwow, Batting Aggregate was Shaun Churchill, Bowling Aggregate was Powwow again, Pete Shea had the best individual performance with 5-6. Jason Corby was the Duck King, whilst Jamie Stedman was unfairly awarded the extremely prestigious Knob of the Year. He is still a LONG way behind the perennial winners of this award in Frank and Stumpy. Unless Stedo lives to be 164, he’ll not catch them either! Finally, of the major awards we moved onto the Cricketer of the year with Jackson Coote being named our best player for this season. What most would believe to be the most prestigious award, the
Clubman of the Year award, this year Jackson Coote took home the biggy, after a great year of work behind the scenes. A great reward for your efforts Jackson. This season another member of the club was bestowed the great honour of becoming a Life Member and Nick Cooper was the recipient. His tireless work throughout the last 15 years has been priceless and it is a true pleasure to have such a great asset in the club such as Nick. A very just reward. So here ends another season for the warriors. The next big event will be the clubs AGM, look for this in about July, this will be the first big step into our 50th season and I’m sure it will be a big one. Thank again Warriors, this is the last column for a while and thanks to OCL for allowing us the space this season.
APRIL 7–13, 2016
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