FUTURE GENERATION UPDATE ON THE HERNE BAY HUSTLERS It’s business time for your favourite Ponsonby under-85kg rugby team. Finals are fast approaching and with a 4-1 record, the mighty Hustlers are poised to mount a charge. Back-to-back wins, the latest of which featured a much-needed four-try bonus point victory over the Pakuranga Cobras, pushed us up to second place. The hard work is far from over, though, with two tough round robin games before (hopefully) a shot at the title. Unfortunately, despite many attempts to find love in Ponsonby, it is sad news that Callum Ross will be departing our shores for the United Kingdom, after being profiled as a bachelor of the month in this fine magazine and spending six months devoting his life to Tinder - with no luck so far. No one can blame it on a lack of trying, which along with online dating, has included spading work colleagues and lately trying to turn the charm on other team member’s flatmates. God loves a tryer, however, it seems the ladies of Ponsonby don’t. On another note, Callum and James Cooney Oliver have became the first Hustlers to reach 40 caps. The tight-knit pair celebrated in fitting fashion with dual jug skulls. Cooney, not a noted drinker, struggled through, taking well over five minutes. Fitness permitting, our first five-eighth, Sam ‘razzle’ McConnell will be the next to join the illustrious group. A popular member of the Hustlers, Sam refuses to join Facebook for fear of being mobbed by his mounting fan base. Our resident advertising hero, Ben Sinnamon, also made a more subtle transition. From backline utility to lock. Sinners was stunned to learn how much more taxing forward life can be. “This is no good for my complexion,” he said after Saturday’s game. George Young has finally turned his back on the Crusaders, despite a passionate love for Israel Dagg. George was last seen proudly sporting a Highlanders jersey, sipping a soy latte, feasting on gluten-free pancakes, while babysitting Smurf’s sausage dog at Dizengoff cafe on Ponsonby Road on the Sunday after the Super Rugby final. Although not sure where his loyalties lie, next year he’s been widely heard saying Marty McKenzie is the future of Crusaders rugby.
Off the field congratulations is due for Angus McKinnon, who, at 18, confessed to dropping a knee at the high school ball of his Northland sweetheart, and Ashley Robinson for taking the plunge and moving in with his girlfriend after six months. Finally, in other updates: • Alex Hastings became the first man to get sunburnt in winter. • Captain fantastic Jamie McLagan leads MVP points. His only work on; finding a way out of the dog box as he’s often seen on the Livingstone Street couch. • Farewell to Tim McLean after years of solid service and several head knocks. Here’s PN hoping he doesn’t get lost in an airport. F Remember to follow the Hustlers on Twitter @HBhustlers www.ponsonbyrugby.co.nz/herne-bay-hustlers
BIG NAMES DRAW CROWD TO SUPPORT GAY RUGBY TEAM The NZ Falcons is New Zealand’s only gay and inclusive rugby union club formed with the goal of enabling players, who may have felt alienated from the sport due to their sexuality, to join together in their shared love of rugby. The team is planning to attend the next ‘World Cup of Gay Rugby’ at the Bingham Cup in Nashville, Tennessee, United States, in May 2016. To raise funds for the trip, tickets are now on sale to a gala dinner which includes special guests Sir Graham Henry and Sir Peter Leitch and features a performance by Anika Moa. The Bingham Cup is named in honour of Mark Bingham, who was fundamental in the establishment of two premier gay rugby clubs and is also internationally recognised as one of the heroes of 9/11. The NZ Falcons participated in the last Bingham Cup, held in Sydney in August 2014, and won third tier of the competition, taking home the Bingham Bowl. F PN The Gala Dinner is being held on 29 August 2015 at the Ellerslie Events Centre and tickets can be purchased on the team’s website: www.nzfalcons.wordpress.com/events Anika Moa The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied
NEW ZEALAND FALCONS RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB, www.nzfalcons.wordpress.com DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH
PONSONBY NEWS+ August 2015
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