Old Colleagues News – July 2016

OLD COLLEAGUES DAY THIS SATURDAY 9TH JULY
The 2016 season rescheduled Old Colleagues day game is now on this Saturday at BGP. (Blue Giant Park).The games are against old foe St Pats Old Boys Rugby who will be desperate to win a share of points to stay above Lindfield on the bottom of the Club Championship Table and remain in the Kentwell Cup. St Pats are the only other club other than the Blue Giants to never have been relegated from the Kentwell Cup. Check the Club’s website for more information if we get a lot of rain www.colleaguesrugby.com.au

On a sobering note for the Club on Old Colleagues Day, Goochie, and his partner Leigh and also Hitcho are pulling stumps on their club house volunteer careers. (sorry, also Obi Gooch dog captain) Goochie has succumbed to some old football injuries causing reduced mobility (ankles & knees), he is also addressing some other health concerns.
The club is highly indebted to the Gooch team. They have provided efficient running of the Clubhouse and events at every level. The sort of efficiencies that underpin stability though the club so that others can concentrate on the football side of things. Goochie’s business skills and money management have meant that ladies days have become a reliable and profitable source of income for the club. Goochie has also taken the production and management of club merchandise to a new level. I Could go on, but I would say, a pat on the back, a hand shake and a thank you on Saturday would be the best thing to do!

SEASON SO FAR
Can you believe it !!! next Saturday 9th July is round 11 and just 4 rounds before the finals series. I’ll spell it out for the disbelievers: St Pats @ home, then Petersham away, (then a bye round 23rd July), then Mosman @ home (ladies day) and Lindfield home, then Wham o its season over for most !!
Couple of games to report on, the catch up round against Drummoyne and the game against Balmain at Leichhardt. With several rep players away for the game against Drummoyne it was a potential loss/danger game for the Kentwell team. However that was not the case with the team putting together a solid performance with plenty of ball movement producing a 31-15 win including a beautiful tight head scrum turnover delivered with timing and precision ! On the same day with personnel stretched to the limit Burkies went down to a committed Drummoyne team who look to be a danger with the semi’s in sight.
Unfortunately the reverse was the case with the games away to Balmain the following week. The Burke Cup put on a dashing display handing Balmain a thrashing 57-0 (along with the other lower grades). In the Kentwell game it was a different story with the good guys getting ambushed by a very good Balmain team. Strangely this was the same team that had been beaten the previous two weeks. Seems that some clubs would go to any lengths to beat the Colleagues (including possible contravention of the amateur guidelines of the union) Nevertheless the Giants put up a gallant performance in a ferocious game coming from behind 31-7 just after half time to narrowly go down 34-26. Balmain players spat the dummy on several occasions during the second half with a string of yellow cards being issued. During this tough game on a unforgiving surface the Blue Giants suffered a high number of injuries. It was very pleasing to see the replacements step up and Old Colleagues would be proud of the brave performance by a quality Colleagues Kentwell team in every respect. Special mention to that warrior front rower and club stalwart Cam Ireland who after a full game in Burke played almost another full game in Kentwell. I am calculating it was somewhere between his 280 to 300th game. I would have to say it was as gutsy a performance that I have seen for anyone wearing the Sky Blue.

COLLEAGUES CLASSIFIEDS
An Old Colleague, a current referee (don’t hold that against him) and father of the current Kentwell cup half back (BJ) has put the shingle up in Drummoyne with a new business venture.
Oscar Boyd Jones is the proprietor of Finn Business Sales, 331 Victoria Place Drummoyne. Oscar’s extensive experience includes a systematic and logical way of solving business problems with a strong strategic insight. When it comes time to exit your business, Oscar will help you think outside the square and maximise your business value. (a good bloke as well)
Contact Oscar on 0418 894 894 or
email oscar.boydjones@finnbusinesssales.com.au and
web: //finnbusinesssales.com.au/oscar-boyd-jones

OLD COLLEAGUE SIGHTINGS
Special congratulations to Old Colleague Dan Petrie who last week married the very lovely Rebecca. (It’s a given he’s punching above his weight) The Peach played for the Blue Giants in the early 2000’s and was also the Club’s honorary secretary during this time. The Peach was responsible for one of the most memorable Grand Final victories in the Clubs history. At Wentworth Park (the field a surprisingly well-kept centre of the dog track) the Peach kicked a penalty on full time from 40 out or was it 50 out ? In flight the penalty kick was never going to make it, then by some Blue Giant miricale the ball hit the crossbar and in slow motion flopped over the other side, downing the rarely beaten Old Iggies star studded dream team. Final scoreline 3-0 and 15 Iggie’s players with jaws wide open ! (not to mention the crowd) Peach was a hero that day and from all accounts Old Colleagues who attended their wedding and reception report Peach and Rebecca’s special day was even better than that win !!!!

See you on Old Colleagues Day

“Go the Colleagues”

Boothie