Old Colleagues Day – Sat 6th August
Our day has come! Old Colleagues Day, Sat 6th August for the games against Lindfield Rugby. (A club Colleagues first played in the 1950’s)
Old Colleagues are requested to gather at headquarters Blue Giant Park around 1.00pm to enjoy a very competitive day of rugby and friendship. Hopefully the weather gods and rugby gods will be kind and Old Colleagues can enjoy a memorable day.
In the Clubhouse at half time in the Kentwell Cup game there will be a toast and thanks to Goochie and his partner Leigh and to all things Colleague.
The Shute Shield Final and later the Super Rugby Final will be on the club TV. Also a highlight will be Leigh’s special soup and Goochie’s gourmet bites available from the upstairs bar. (jumping castle weather permitting). Club merchandise and Club History Book “Sky Blue Winters” available on the day.
Season Update
With the club 129 points ahead in the club championship and considering the form the club has displayed in recent weeks, all goes well for the Colleagues to claim the 2016 Club Championship, (Bruce Graham Shield) for the 27th time. A Win in 2016 means Club Championship wins in consecutive years, an achievement not gained since the 1980’s
In the last two rounds Old Colleagues would have noted the strong club performances Vs Pats Old Boys and the Mosman Whales. Late season wins that have consolidated the narrow advantage on the Club Championship Table. Colleagues should be proud of the way the Club has played throughout the season with likely minor premierships to Judd, Whiddon and Burke Cups, with the Whiddon Cup being undefeated (one draw). The Kentwell Cup and Barbour (Colts) Blue Giants will contest the semis in what have been highly competitive competitions.
Old Colleague Sightings
Old Colleagues are spread far and wide throughout the rugby world. Old Colleagues more often than not retain a unique vision and humour regarding grass roots rugby. Such is the following report from Michael France (prominent Sydney lawyer). Francey sent me a note about the northern beaches Collaroy Cougars which he has an affiliation with.
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The Cougars play in the Meldrum Cup, division 6, which appears to be the lowest level of subdistrict. I don’t think it is necessarily the lowest standard of play, but these clubs only have one open team.
Interesting to note that Chatswood are in this grade, as are Maccabi who play at Lyne Park, the scene of many Colleagues clashes with Bondi Bronte. My thoughts went back in the 70’s to the night Stormy Rainer and I tried to get into the Hakoah club. He was never going to get in there with that nose of his.
On Saturday we travelled to Booralee Park, Botany for the highly anticipated blockbuster between the last placed Alexandria Dukes and the mid table, not to be confused with mid strength, Collaroy Cougars.
Back in our day, this would definitely been a renters v landlords clash, however, I now suspect that there are plenty of millionaire land owners at Botany.
The Cougars arrived by bus with all their equipment, which seemed to be limited to a very large esky full of VB.
Both fields were in immaculate condition. It had the feel of the old Sydney Sports Ground, almost running east/west. The sun in our eyes was a problem in the first half for the spectators, the number of which had swelled to in excess of 25 by the end of the game, but was more of a problem in the second half when it disappeared.
The game was entertaining, and no one could doubt the enthusiasm and commitment of all players. The ref was a bit pedantic, handing out two yellow cards for alleged fighting (not one handbag hit its mark) and one for repeated offside.
The weather was cold to freezing.
The Dukes set up a BBQ but the wind kept blowing it out.
Towards the end of the game, one of the Dukes came off with blood pouring out of a head wound. When asked if he needed assistance, he replied it was only a scratch and walked off.
At the end of the game the Cougars got in a huddle and launched into their team song, there were the obligatory speeches (unfortunately the ref didn’t stay around to explain the reasoning behind the yellow cards) and a table was set up for the boat races. The Cougars took an early lead until the Jeff Sayle like anchor for the Dukes finished strongly to win the event.
The Dukes retired to the Captain Cook Hotel and the Cougars filed onto their bus with the esky headed for the Collaroy Beach Hotel to fulfil their obligations to their sponsor.
A great day out, footy in the raw.
Special mention should be made of the Cougars’ jersey, which has a picture of a woman/cougar in a seductive pose on the front.
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Older Old Colleagues will enjoy Francey’s report and memories of an era where club life was far less complicated !!!!
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