The Eye of the Storm vol 27 may 2018

GOSFORD RUGBY LEAGUE Fifteens Eye Promotion To Division One

- Since 2014 -

the

Issue No. 27: May 2018

@gosfordleague

WANTED GENEROUS BENEFACTOR to provide Generous Benefactor

$150000 per season to the GOSFORD RUGBY LEAGUE FOOTBALL CLUB

Because It’s Time To Reinstate The Townies Please contact Danielle or Renee

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Vol 27: May, 2018

The Duffys Road heist, which ultimately saw our gallant Open Graders

Congratulations to Gosford Kariong juniors; Ryan Jones (SG Ball Cup), Adam Runchel (Matthews Cup) & Nick Rodrigues (Laurie Daley Cup), on representing the Central Coast with distinction during February & March.

Photo – Andrew Stark

stripped of a hard earned competition point, appeared initially to have been a straightforward clerical stuff-up. The sub text however provides a far more complex story and The Eye covers this regrettable saga in full on the proceeding pages. Ultimately blame must be sheeted home to the mad scramble faced by “non primary clubs” such as ourselves, who must wait until March of every year to find out whether the inner circle will allow us to play.

Adam Runchel

Overheard from the huddle … desperate to encourage one of his more timid players to get involved in attack, a GKS Mini League coach was recently overheard to offer a very attractive incentive deal;

“I’ll buy you a steak sandwich and a Powerade if you have a run!”

Clearly holding out for the addition of something sweet, the lad spent the remainder of the game, many metres adrift of the football.

Opinions expressed in this publication are derived solely from the scattered & random thoughts of the author; none of which are necessarily shared by the GKS club … nor anyone else on the planet really.

Squally Saturday

Gazebo Terror Mini Cyclone Hits GKS BBQ Endangering Lives & Terrifying Local Children April 28th, 2018 will forever be etched into our clubs history as the day Narara almost blew away. If not for the heroic & fast thinking action of our brave Under 16s, the number of casualties would undoubtedly have been high, and sausage sandwiches may even have been lost.

These exclusive Eye of the Storm photo’s capture the destruction, the terror, and the exhaustive clean up that followed.

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – May 2018

Photos – Andrew Stark

Gosford Stripped Of Competition Point In Duffys Road Balls-Up In a drama charged kick off to the Open Grade season, the Central Coast Division of Rugby League took the drastic step of penalizing Gosford a hard earned competition point, while also fining the club $500 after it was revealed that the team’s opening round PPIS tally had pushed north of the allowable 50 points.

The game itself provided fans with a terrific struggle that did ultimately end in a 16 all draw. The Storm had led for most of the day and despite having let victory slip from its grasp, the GKS camp was buoyed at having secured a competition point; just the third earned by the club in this grade since 2011.

Above: The team sheet from the game in

Twenty four hours after the dust had settled, great optimism turned to mud when the CCDRL informed the Gosford club that they had taken to the field 2 points over their PPIS quota and that their competition point would now be stripped and handed directly to their opening round opponents, Terrigal. The player in question was bustling left winger, Jaxon Wilkinson, who through no fault of his own had been listed on the Storm team sheet at 3 points, when he was actually being valued by the CCDRL as a 5 point player. On the surface it seemed to have been a straightforward clerical stuff up performed by our club’s overworked front office. As will become apparent over the next few pages however, this is a story consumed by intrigue, duplicity, and just a hint of sheer bloody mindedness.

question with the disputed points highlighted.

Above Right: Woy Woy junior, Jaxon Wilkinson The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – MAY 2018

Jaxon Wilkinson is a Woy Woy junior who played for the Umina Bunnies at Open Grade & Under 19 level back during 2014. After a year off, Wilkinson lined up in the forwards for our 2016 team before taking a further year off last season. The Eye sought clarification on Jaxon’s current PPIS number from CCDRL President, Fred Hartup who kindly responded with, “PPIS categories changed between 2017 and 2018. In 2017 Wilkinson would have been graded as a 5 point player whereas in 2018 he was graded as a 7 point player.

As 2018 is his second season with the club he is downgraded to 5 points, less a further one point in 2017, therefore he is a 4 point player.”

Sadly, the Storm went into the opening round having adjudged Jaxon Wilkinson at 3 PPIS points. To wholly confuse this evaluation however, the CCDRL had falsely rated the same player as a zero back during the winless winter of 2016. Gosford Kariong submitted their paperwork that year and the answer continually came back, week in week out, for the entire season, as a complete duck egg (see below).

To their great credit, Gosford revisited Wilkinson’s paperwork and noticing that an error might previously have been made (by the CCDRL), they sent an urgent email to the CCDRL asking for clarification. This correspondence was sent on the Friday prior to the game, following the CCDRL’s release of the PPIS Points List; a document that grades every player in the competition. The list was published with a blank space next to Jaxon Wilkinson’s name as his paperwork remained at that time, unsubmitted. Gosford were guilty of scrambling late in the week to get one or two stragglers registered in time for the opening game, which is a largely unavoidable situation given that the club only ever receives acceptance into the competition at the eleventh hour owing to the trickle down philosophy of the CCDRL with regard their “Primary Clubs Policy” (amended 18-1-2012).

Interestingly, the CCDRL’S issuing of the 2018 PPIS Points List on the Friday before the opening round did lie in direct contravention of its own By-Laws. Paragraph two of the CCDRL’S Governance of the PPIS reads as follows,

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – MAY 2018

The Duffys Road Balls-Up

The Player Points Index Scheme (PPIS) is in place to encourage clubs to develop and retain their own juniors while also maintaining a relatively level playing field of talent across the competition. Local juniors draw zero PPIS points, while for example, a State of Origin level import would attract 30 points in his first season at a Central Coast club.

“If clubs do not submit PPIS forms in on time it becomes impossible to send out gradings 7 days prior to the match, which is why updated PPIS gradings are sent to all clubs each Friday.”

With no response arriving back from the games governing body, Gosford made the fatal mistake of trying to work out the players PPIS on their own. Come game day, they rolled the dice and loaded their winger with 3 PPIS points, before taking the field at Duffys Road to tangle with the Sharks.

By Monday morning, the cat was out of the bag, the competition point had been lost, and $500 was being asked for.

“Given that we had done everything we could with the right intentions and that their were a couple of contributing factors on the CCDRL’s behalf also, I do believe we should be given some form of leniency …”

An extract from the impassioned Monday night email sent from Gosford club President Renee Martin to the CCDRL

Leniency arrived in the form of a curious downgrading of Jaxon Wilkinson’s PPIS points.

Gosford claim they were initially informed that Wilkinson had been rated as a 6, the CCDRL say it was a 5, however after President Renee Martin’s plea for leniency, it was reduced to 4, in a move described by CCDRL President Fred Hartup as, being generous to assist your club. This generosity had the wholly benign effect of reducing the Gosford team’s opening round PPIS from 52 to 51, which of course, didn’t change a damn thing.

The role in the saga played by the Gosford Kariong Rugby League Club Breach #1 Submitting Jaxon Wilkinson’s paperwork just two days prior to the game Breach #2 With no response forthcoming from the CCDRL, Gosford self evaluated the player.

The role in the saga played by the Central Coast Division of Rugby League Breach #1 Wrongly assessing Jaxon Wilkinson’s PPIS points through the entire 2016 season Breach #2 Being in direct contravention of its own By-Laws Breach #3 Mysteriously misplacing a pivotal email just two days before the game.

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – MAY 2018

This brings us to the missing email. The Eye understands that Gosford had sought urgent clarification on the Friday prior to the game with regard the PPIS points of two of its players, including Jaxon Wilkinson, and that a vital email is said to have mysteriously gone astray somewhere between Narara & Tuggerah. The CCDRL claim to have overlooked the email as it had been diverted straight into their junk mail folder.

The Duffys Road Balls-Up

The document clearly states, “Not less than 7 days prior”, and yet the games governing body didn’t issue the PPIS list until 4.14pm on the Friday, which was less than 48 hours prior to kick off. Gosford may well have finished one point over on the PPIS, but the CCDRL were a good 5 days out on theirs. CCDRL President Fred Hartup explains that,

Graham Foster watches on during the controversial opening round draw at Terrigal; the former Manly & Newcastle winger oblivious to the high drama that was to follow.

“These problems would not have arisen if the players PPIS forms had been submitted in a timely manner and you had checked them on the 2018 points allocation print out.”

- CCDRL President Fred Hartup

Photo –Andrew Stark

Above: The 2018 PPIS points system.

The Duffys Road Balls-Up

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – MAY 2018

Right: Gosford coach

Photo – Andrew Stark

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE –MAY 2018 Perched on the grassy knoll at Berkeley Vale, the Gosford Kariong faithful celebrate a late try scored by Jayden ‘The Wrecking Ball’ Stanley, during the Open Grades 30-20 loss to The Entrance.

In The Press …

Gosford Rocked By Loss Of Competition Point

by Andrew Stark

Coast Community News 27th April, 2018

The Gosford Kariong Storm Open Grade team were sensationally stripped of a competition point and fined $500 by the Central Coast Division of Rugby League following a technical breach arising from the round one draw played at Terrigal on April 8th.

In a decision variously described by local fans as, “inflexible” and “heartless”; the battling Storm, who has only tasted the single victory in this grade since 2011, was penalized despite there being a number of extenuating factors.

The breach was in relation to the Player Points Index System (PPIS) which is in place to encourage clubs to develop and retain their own juniors while also maintaining a relatively level playing field of talent across the competition. Gosford were found guilty of inadvertently fielding a team adjudged to have been be one point above the allowable 50 PPIS points.

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE MAY 2018

The eleventh hour confusion that led directly to the PPIS breach, can be sheeted home to the untenable situation that Gosford Kariong are placed in each and every season, in order to simply be allowed to play rugby league in the Central Coast competition. This despite the fact that the Gosford rugby league club has roots that extend back further than any other club in the district and that Gosford was the first town to form a football team when in 1892 a motley fifteen trotted out to play on Clarke’s Paddock (known today as Kibble Park). Unlike the “Primary Clubs” of the current day CCDRL, the battling Storm never knows whether or not it will be included in the draw until just weeks prior to the season’s kick off. The club is wholly reliant on one of the ten first grade entities allowing them to play on their under card. This season, despite the players having trained enthusiastically since before Christmas, Gosford were only guaranteed a spot in the draw a month prior to kick off. This mad rush in the weeks leading up to the opening round in which player’s paperwork needs to be completed, submitted and evaluated is at the core of the round one breach.

Continued on the following page …

Please note: this is the submitted piece in it’s entirety. The editor of the Coast Community News is responsible for the changes that ultimately appear in the newspaper.

In The Press … (continued)

Gosford Rocked By Loss Of Competition Point

The situation becomes muddied however when the CCDRL’s three pronged contribution to the Gosford mistake is factored into the equation. The CCDRL remain unambiguously guilty of; previously having under evaluated the Storm player at the centre of the breach, of being in direct breach of their own By-Laws with regard the timing of the release of the PPIS Points list for the opening round, and of losing an email from the Gosford Kariong club which had urgently sought clarification on the eve of the game. CCDRL President Fred Hartup countered the second of these strikes, stating that; “If clubs do not submit PPIS forms in on time, it becomes impossible to send out gradings 7 days prior to the match”.

The Gosford Kariong club was indisputably late in tabling the remains of their paperwork, and yet equally complicit were the CCDRL, who’s previous under grading of the player and their misplacing of a vital email, did ultimately play a sizable role in the battling club’s one point breach.

Gosford Club President Renee Martin, in an impassioned plea to the games hierarchy wrote, “Given that we had done everything we could with the right intentions and that there were a couple of contributing factors on the CCDRL’s behalf, I do believe we should be given some form of leniency”.

None was forthcoming.

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE –MAY 2018

Photo – Andrew Stark

Terrigal’s Michael Palmer kicks the goal that locked the scores up at 16 all during the opening round clash at Duffys Road. Little did we realize; the game was already lost.

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – MAY 2018

The Eye of the Storm magazine is pleased to announce a partnership with the prestigious Gosford Rugby League Museum.

Museum Throughout 2018 the museum’s head curator, Amanda Pittee will be sharing a selection of the Mann Street institutions most prized exhibits. In each months edition we will feature a number of priceless items from the collection as we continue our quest to showcase the fascinating history of our great club. Buckle up Gosford footy fans as we celebrate the inspired efforts of those in whose footsteps we now walk.

- Andrew Stark

Original Photo Courtesy of the Les Allen Collection

Legendary South Sydney & Australian fullback Clive Churchill, alongside Gosford and Australian Test forward, Bernie Drew. They are captured congratulating a young Townie during the club’s junior awards day held at the Central Coast Leagues Club during 1965.

THE THE GOSFORD GOSFORD RUGBY RUGBY LEAGUE LEAGUE MUSEUM MUSEUM

The K ar 1993 a iong Kookab n u form t d merged w rras were for ith Go he mo med in dern d ay Gos sford in 2000 ford K ariong to club.

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE The –MAY EYE2018 OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – MAY 2018

THE GOSFORD RUGBY LEAGUE MUSEUM

Original Photo Courtesy of the Andrew Stark Collection

Gosford’s most recent premiership success: the undefeated Under 13(2)s of 2014.

Original Photo Courtesy of the Lindsay Bailey Collection

Gosford’s champion team of 1963, lead by the incomparable Bernie Drew.

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – MAY 2018

Gosford Rugby League Lost Another Good Man During March

Peter ‘Aggie’ Agnew Peter ‘Aggie’ Agnew of West Gosford, & formerly of Narara, passed away on Tuesday the 13th of March, 2018.

Peter was a great friend of Gosford rugby league and former Townies captain, coach, and Sterland Medal winner, Garry Morris contacted the Eye of the Storm magazine to offer the following tribute …

Last Monday, a great mate of the Gosford Townies was laid to rest. Peter Agnew was a cripple from birth but it never stopped him from enjoying life to the fullest. He helped out in any area that needed help and always enjoyed our end of season trips, and was an inspiration to many.

Peter Agnew

Vale Peter Agnew

Peter Agnew and Garry Morris photographed in the centre of Gosford during 2002.

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE –May 2018

In The Press …

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE –may 2018

Promising Start For Gosford Kariong

by Andrew Stark Coast Community News 11th April, 2018

The Gosford Kariong Storm Open Grade team unfurled a promising start to the 2018 rugby league season when they led the Sharks for most of the day at Terrigal before being forced to settle with a 16 all draw.

With twenty minutes left to play, Gosford held a deserved 12-4 advantage and had a number of chances to seal a victory however Terrigal were able to weather the storm before fighting back in what was a keen tussle.

In the junior divisions, the Gosford Kariong U15s fired an emphatic warning to all premiership aspirants within their division when they ran in fifty points against The Entrance Tigers. In warm and humid Narara conditions, an emotion charged game was preceded by a minutes silence held in honour of the Gosford team’s popular 2017 coach, Greg Martin who tragically lost his life in motor cycle accident during the off season. Once the football was kicked off, the Storm lads played like a team possessed and they raced to an unassailable 22-0 halftime lead. A powerhouse forward pack continually made inroads through centre field; laying a platform which enabled classy three-quarter Michael Porter to notch a first half hat-trick of tries.

Earlier in the day, the Storm U13s began their season with a gutsy 20-12 victory over the Tigers, having trailed by four at the break. The Gosford U14s fought back from a 12-0 deficit to draw level in the second half against Blue Haven before the Raiders were able to skip away to record a 20-12 win. While in a tremendous U12s battle, the Berkeley Vale Panthers snatched victory in the final minute of play via a kick and chase try scored by exciting fullback prospect, Brandon Duate. The Storm looked to have sealed victory just moments earlier when Benji Keene-O’Keefe fed Izayah Groat for a spectacular Gosford try however the Panthers weren’t to be denied and they celebrated a last gasp 22-18 win.

Please note: this is the submitted piece in it’s entirety. The editor of the Coast Community News is responsible for the changes that ultimately appear in the newspaper.

t he

Pictorial

Pages

Photos – Andrew Stark

CARRINGTON STREET GRANDSTAND 2018 PRICING …

Top Tier (Standing) - Free Top Tier (Sitting) – Free Lower Deck (Standing) – Free Lower Deck (Sitting) – Free *GST may apply

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – MAY 2018

Photo’s – Andrew Stark Billy Eden U11(3)s

Catch Me If You Can! Billy races away for a spectacular try during the U11(3)s narrow opening round loss to The Entrance Tigers at Carrington Street Oval No2.

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – May 2018

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – May 2018

U12(1)s

Photo – Andrew Stark

Richard Darrell

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – May 2018

Under 7s

Modern day NRL wingers are most adept at twisting themselves into pretzel like shapes in order to get the football down onto the barest blade of in-goal grass. In the U7s however, they prefer a more direct mode; simply head straight for the bright orange corner cone … and dive on top of it!

Photo’s – Andrew Stark

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – May 2018

Dayne Sams U13(2)s Above:

Dayne Sams, Ozgur Emeli & Liam Gleeson create a defensive headache for a lone Tigers winger.

Below: Kartik Reddy scoots out of dummy half as Seth Portus sizes up the defensive line.

Photo’s – Andrew Stark

Kartik Reddy U13(2)s

Under 6s

Photos – Andrew Stark

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – May 2018

Under 7s

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – May 2018

Photo’s – Andrew Stark

Under 8s

U15(2)s

Jake Martin U15(2)s

Josh Stedman U15(2)s

Photos – Andrew Stark Jake Sutherland U14(2)s

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – May 2018

Lulu Paea

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – May 2018

Tyson Pagacs U14(2)s

& Liam Gleeson create a headache for a lone Tigers winger. of dummy half as Seth Portus sizes up the defensive line.

Mio Pagacs U13(2)s

Photo’s – Andrew Stark

Above: Dayne Sams, Ozgur Emeli Below: Kartik Reddy scoots out

Jarred Higgins U14(2)s

Photo – Andrew Stark The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – May 2018

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – May 2018

Photos – Andrew Stark

Reuben Farr U10(3)s

Sunny Mayles

Kirra Hodge

U11(3)s

U10(3)s

Angus Bills U11(3)s

Under 8s

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – May 2018 Photo – Andrew Stark

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – May 2018

Aaron Walters Photos – Andrew Stark

U11(3)s

Aaron splits the Warriors wide open during round 3, as Annabel, Amalia, Ryan and Angus do their best to keep up. Below: Isaac charges into the meat of the Tigers defence at Carrington Street.

Above:

Isaac Gardiner U16(1)s

Quentin Arora U16(1)s

Under 9s

Photos – Andrew Stark

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – May 2018

Keegan Ropoama U15(2)s

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – May 2018

Hayden Doyle U15(2)s

Photos – Andrew Stark

Photos – Andrew Stark

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – May 2018

Under 9s

Under 8s

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – May 2018

Kelis Bruderlin U14(2)s

Soakimi Aho U14(2)s

Photo’s – Andrew Stark

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – May 2018

Under 7s

To guarantee you receive all future edition’s of

GOSFORD RUGBY LEAGUE : THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE simply join the mailing list by sending an email (blank or otherwise) to eyeofthestorm@post.com YIKES!

Photo’s – Andrew Stark

Bailey Chislett U12(1)s

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – May 2018

Lorenzo Godoy U13(2)s

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – May 2018

Photo’s – Andrew Stark

Under 7s They don’t call them, ‘Under 7 Green’ for nothing. Grassy green legs were the height of fashion during the early game at Carrington Street when the Storm took on Woy Woy in round one

Above:

Max Zonno U14(2)s

The unmistakable smile of a winger who reckons he’s just scored a try … the bloke with the whistle agreed and Gosford’s score progressed by four.

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE May 2018

Photo’s – Andrew Stark

Benji Keene-O’Keefe U12(1)s

Matt LeMaistre, Nicolas Ritchie & Richard Darrell U12(1)s

Blake Taylor U16(1)s

Under 9s

Photo’s – Andrew Stark The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – May 2018

Under 9s

Under 6s Photo’s – Andrew Stark

Under 7s

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – May 2018 The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – May 2018

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – May 2018

A minutes silence preceded the U15s opening round game, in memory of popular 2017 coach, Greg Martin who tragically lost his life during the off season.

Photo’s – Andrew Stark It rained tries for the U15s during round 1 as the Storm boys belted the Tigers 50-0.

Michael Porter (4 tries), Isaac Vuna (3 tries) & Sam Bissett (2 tries) were the team’s leading scorers. Below: Michael scores one of his three first half tries. He ended the day with 4 tries and 4 conversions for a handy opening round tally of 24.

Above:

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – May 2018

Hey Buddy, You’re Blocking My View

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – MAY 2018

Purchasing Photos …

It’s Just So Easy!

Simply sling the guy with the camera a lobster ($20). Within days he’ll email you a couple of photo’s (jpeg files), featuring your little (or not so little) champion in action for the mighty Gosford Kariong Storm.

Hand over one, crisp, orangey note, along with your email address, and sit back & marvel as the old bloke goes straight to work.

Purchases can also be made using Paypal ($22).

Email: 10dollarjpegs@gmx.com

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE –MAY 2018

NO STONE LEFT UNTURNED

Gosford Kariong Under 12s brains trust, Phil Keene & Rod Godoy spotted in the Morry Breen outer absorbing current coaching trends when the Central Coast Roosters tangled with the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the Matthews Cup competition during late March.

Gosford Kariong Juniors; Lachlan Bell (Terrigal) & Kyle Franklin (Berkeley Vale) come together during their first grade debuts at Duffys Road during early April. Lachie & Kyle were team mates in the Storm’s U16(2) grand final team of 2014 (see insets).

Photo’s – Andrew Stark

GKS JUNIORS KICKING ON

OPEN GRADE ROUND 1 ROUND 2 ROUND 3 ROUND 4

Gosford Kariong 16: Terrigal Wamberal 16 The Entrance 30: Gosford Kariong 20 Wyong 56: Gosford Kariong 6 Erina 20: Gosford Kariong 10 Photo’s - Andrew Stark

Left column – RJ Warwick, Josh Wigham, Mitch Redding, Billy James. Right column – Jayden Stanley, Travis Mantell, Aaron Smith, Brendan Eather. Main photo – Craig Starr The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – MAY 2018

The Blurb

Warning: Text May Contain Traces of Flippancy

a weekly write up for the match day program

Round 1 … Gossy unfurled a promising start to the new season at a sun-kissed Duffys Road Arena last Sunday. The game ended 16 a piece after the good guys had led for most of the day however Terrigal, to their credit, hung in well against the Storm juggernaut and somehow managed to escape with a draw.

Skipper RJ Warwick with a pirouette out of dummy half got the season’s point scoring under way to set up a 6-4 half time lead. Powerhouse second stanza tries to big Jayen Stanley and right centre Brennan Lacey pushed the Gossy boys to a 12-4 advantage before the slippery Sharks were able to escape the net.

With one competition point well secured, the afternoon panned out nicely when a couple of Gosford Kariong juniors ; Lachie Bell (Terrigal) and Kyle Franklin (Berkeley Vale) made their first grade debuts, with both young men acquitting themselves well in a physical Duffys Road clash.

Round 2 … A sluggish start proved costly as the Tigers grabbed a 16-4 halftime lead and were never headed from there. Gosford sprang to life after the break and played some impressive footy to win the second stanza however the orange team held on to win the day, 30-20. Mitch Redding, Travis Mantell and big Jayden Stanley provided the pack with plenty of grunt, RJ Warwick nabbed a couple of tries, while livewire half Jesse Murray looked dangerous every time he ran the ball.

The team’s flat opening could well be attributed to the let down felt after being stripped of a competition point, due to a PPIS clerical error following the round one draw at Terrigal. The general buzz around the squad suggests that if come late August, a single point stands between the Storm and the minor premiership; the boys will be absolutely filthy.

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE MAY 2018

Photo –Andrew Stark

Left:

Gosford halfback Jesse Murray becomes fully airborne during the round 2 loss to The Entrance.

The Blurb

a weekly write up for the match day program

Warning: Text May Contain Traces of Flippancy

Round 3 … Gosford ran into stiff opposition and by clock off, a grotesquely disfigured scoreboard did signal a hefty loss. Too many simple mistakes coming out of our own half invited the ruthless Roos to pepper our line and they were slick enough to take full advantage.

Travis Mantell was adjudged the Storm’s best, having speared over for the sides lone try; he also went perilously close on at least two other occasions. Powerful right centre Brennan Lacey continued his impressive start to the season and picked up the two points, while chief playmaker Brendan Eather was handed the bronze, despite being hindered by a dodgy groin. Veteran back-rower Craig Starr was another solid contributor with plenty of meaningful defence early on and a spectacular bust down the left edge that had the Storm faithful on their feet in the shadows of halftime.

Round 4 … A spirited performance from the GKS boys saw the premiers, Erina escape with a 20-10 win in drizzly conditions at Berkeley Vale. The game heralded the launch of the Storm’s snazzy new playing strip (see below), and was preceded by a solemn minutes silence in memory of former Gosford player & junior coach, Greg Martin who tragically lost his life in a road accident during the off season.

The game itself saw Gosford push the Eagles all the way and if we ever manage to consistently hang on to the Steeden; then a positive scoreboard shall undoubtedly follow. Gritty goal line defence was rewarded just minutes before halftime when Aaron Smith intercepted and raced 67 metres in a northerly direction; the fleet footed Jesse Murray finishing off a scintillating passage of play in the right hand corner. Our second four pointer fell to chirpy fullback Billy James, who chimed in on the left edge; running off half Brendan Eather to spear over for the final try of the contest.

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE MAY 2018

Photo –Andrew Stark

Left:

Second rower Travis Mantell roars into his work during the 20-10 loss to Erina in Round 4.

2018 COMPETITION LADDERS As of 1-5-18

OPEN GRADE Erina Woy Woy The Entrance Wyong Terrigal St Edwards Northern Lakes Toukley Gosford Kariong

U14(2)s Umina Kincumber Blue Haven Toukley Woy Woy The Entrance Gosford Kariong Berekeley Vale Northern Lakes St Edwards Wyong Terrigal Erina

U15(2)s

Pts

U16(1)s

8 8 8 6 4 2 2 2 0

Wyong Blue Haven Kincumber The Entrance (G) Ourimbah The Entrance (B) Toukley Terrigal (Blue) Gosford Kariong Erina Terrigal (Black)

Pts 6 5 4 4 4 4 3 2 2 0 0

Pts 6 6 6 6 6 4 2 2 2 2 0 0 0

IMPERIAL CENTRE Player of the Month

Preston Bierton-Linsley

Gosford Kariong Wyong Ourimbah Erina Berekeley Vale Terrigal Toukley Kincumber The Entrance

U13(2)s Ourimbah Berkeley Vale Northern Lakes (B) le Budgewoi Wyong (Gold) Warnervale Toukley Wyong (Green) Erina The Entrance Terrigal Gosford Kariong Northern Lakes (G) Umina Woy Woy

U10(3)s U12(1)s The Entrance Blue Haven Terrigal Erina Berkeley Vale Northern Lakes Gosford Kariong Kincumber

Pts 6 6 4 4 2 2 0 0

U11(3)s Berkeley Vale Gosford Kariong Woy Woy Northern Lakes Budgewoi The Entrance Umina Wyong Warnervale

Pts 5 4 4 4 4 3 3 2 1

Budgewoi Erina Woy Woy Gosford Kariong St Edwards Northern Lakes The Entrance Wyong Warnervale Terrigal

Pts 6 4 4 4 4 2 2 2 2

Pts 6 6 6 4 4 4 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 0

Pts 6 6 4 4 2 2 2 2 2 0

Blokes Who Never Got The Opportunity To Play For Gosford This poor bloke was born into Photo – courtesy of the Central Coast Express Advocate

Britain's most dysfunctional family. Courageously managing to rise above his dodgy heritage, he has partied hard, created the Invictus Games, and is shacked up with a US starlet. Very impressive stuff, & yet …

Prince Harry’s greatest regret must surely be that he never pulled on a Gosford jersey.

If Onl y He H ad His Ti me Ag ai n

Young Windsor is a product of the Buckingham Palace J.R.L.F.C. which famously hasn’t won a game since Henry XIII coached the all conquering Under 14(3)s back during the unlimited tackle days of the early 16th century. Harry was described in the club’s 2002 yearbook as, a fullback who couldn’t catch a cold!

Tis a truly tragic tale!

Harry “The Prince” Windsor the Back Page

‘Gosford Rugby League: the Eye of the Storm’ e-mag compiled, photographed, written & designed by Andrew Stark

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