Colleagues @ Balmain Round 5

In a reverse of fortunes from one week earlier against Waverley, it was the Colleagues lower grade who carried the club home against a very strong Petersham Rugby Club at Woollahra Oval No.2 last Saturday.

In their year up in division 1, Petersham have come a long way to be leading the competition in Kentwell Cup and second in the Club Championship, 87 points behind Drummoyne. Colleagues currently in 4th place on 701 points.

The Sutherland Cup lads got the club off to a good start with a 50 to nil win over the visitors. Tries coming from right across the paddock, backrower James Davies (right) snagging a double and flyhalf Jon Dart kicking 6 goals in the match. The Judd and Whiddon boys had a harder day of it, only notching up 3 and 8 points respectively. That surprisingly being enough points in each of their games to beat their opponents.

For Kentwell Cup it was a classic top of the table clash with the lead changing hands multiple times throughout the match. Unlike previous matches that saw the Colleagues outside backs getting the meat pies, it was the forward pack who secured all the five pointers for the home side. No.8 Charles McDonald, second rower Evan Culhane (right) and hooker Charlie Henley all touched down for the Blue Giants. Unfortunately the loss also came with a loss to key personnel. Veteran prop David Wright unfortunately sustained a partially torn Achilles tendon in the opening scrum of the match and will miss the remainder of the season. We wish him well on in his recovery.

• Kentwell 21 – 27
• Burke 13 – 29
• Whiddon 8 – 5
• Judd 3 – 0
• Sutherland 50 – 0
• Halligan 17 – 0 Sydney Harlequins
• Barbour 12 – 24

Leichhardt Oval No.2

• 1st Grade (Kentwell Cup): 3:15pm
• 2nd Grade (Burke Cup): 2:00pm
• Colts (Barbour Cup): 12:45pm
• 3rd Grade (Whiddon Cup): 11:40am
• 4th Grade (Judd Cup): 10:45am
• 5th Grade (Sutherland Cup): 9:50am
• 6th Grade (Halligan Cup) v Beecroft 12pm Headen Park

Today’s headlines:

Sources say security in and around the Dome is loosening with reports that three more players have broken out. An insider says Charlie Lockyer, Chris Watt and some outside back known only as “Rob” have headed north to Whiddon territory. Coach Campbell refused to comment sighting that his quoted 1 dummy spit a year was spent last week at half time during Judd Cup’s scintillating 3-0 win over Petersham.

Rumours are circulating that tensions between the Colleagues backline coaches are rising, after Burke Cup coach Pete Minucos continues to insist upon selecting every flyhalf in the club in his second grade backline. Minucos was heard to have said “I’ll play Issy (Isaac ‘Wizard’ Carey) wherever the f#%k I want.” Whiddon Coach Carl O’Sullivan has reportedly reached out to his Judd Cup counterpart Laurie Campbell, enquiring if his dome supplier could build a single man dome for Whiddon flyhalf Sean Cross.

Reports have surfaced that 2017’s first application for the 100 game honour board has been provided to Club President McGrath.  Sources report that the application is in favour of Damon “Dingo” Holmes.  Despite having only played 42 games for the club Dingo is apparently confident his application will be accepted.  After a few golden throat charmers last Saturday Dingo was overheard saying “if Frank Coorey can get on there after 80 odd then I damn well deserve it after 40”.   With his shoulders having recovered from carrying Dingo through his season as Club Captain, social media advisor and club secretary David Burnett is allegedly in support of the application.

Sam Deans, former Whiddon cup finalist, heard about Car Next Door in July last year. Within 6 months he’d earned over $1,000 by renting out his car, helping to offset the costs of owning it.

Car Next Door is a neighbour-to-neighbour car sharing platform, founded by Colleagues member Will Davies in Bondi in 2013. The fast-growing startup is changing the way Australia travels, by turning any car into a share car through an online platform, simple in-car technology and full comprehensive insurance.

1,000 cars have been listed on the platform already, with over 35,000 borrowers screened and approved to borrow them.

“It’s so easy,” said Sam. “Car Next Door’s platform is very hands off for me. I can be anywhere in the world and still make money on my car. It sits on the street most of the time, so it just makes sense”.

Sam also received $150 to kick-start his earnings when he first listed his car, which he says was a great added bonus to get him started.

“I got some bookings right away, which was cool,” says Sam.

“I generally don’t meet the borrowers in person though – I’ve met a few, but usually they just come and go while I am doing other stuff. It’s like the Tinder of transport”.

Through Car Next Door, car owners earn $2,000 to $8,000 a year by renting out their car when they aren’t using it.  Car borrowers can instantly rent cars nearby from $5 an hour or $25 a day (plus 33 cents per km).

As a sponsor of Colleagues, Car Next Door is extending two special offers for Colleagues players, family and friends. (USE THE CODE ‘COLLEAGUES’ in the ‘where did you hear about us’ section to receive the following deals):

– Do you own a car but don’t use it much? Car Next Door is offering Colleagues players, family and friends $150 for listing your vehicle on the platform.
– Don’t own a car but need one from time to time? Car Next Door is offering borrowers $30 for signing up.

For further information see the website: www.carnextdoor.com.au, or call the office on (02) 8035 8000

All grades were no doubt hard up against it last weekend. Colties had a long awaited hit out against their drinking associates from College/Uni, unfortunately letting the boys from Petersham get the better of them in a close encounter – well done for a gutsy effort gents. For Judd, our French flyer Louis Vuitton lived up to classy name on the field standing out in a tight 3-0 win, hats off to the “ice-man” Tom Scott for slotting the penalty. The Whiddos game also came down to the wire, getting the job done 8-5, stand outs were loosies Richie and Darcy.

Burke and Kentwell were put through their paces by well-drilled Petersham outfits. The standings for both comps are tight as a ducks ass as we approach the middle of the season and much needed break for two wet weather weekends after Balmain.

Cam “Evergreen” Ireland and Jono “Prince of Otago” Willis make a keenly anticipated return to the Kentwell forward pack this week. Cam and Jono not only bring some scorching pace to the team but also crucial leadership, Jono has earnt his first Kentwell Cup cap as captain this week. Their timely return will benefit the debut of former Easts enforcer Davo McCathie, welcome Davo and good luck to all for tomorrows show down.

Name: Will Arnott
Team Coaching: Colts
Date of Birth: 9/5/1988
Home Town: Sydney
Years as a Colleagues Player: 7
Position(s) Played: Backrow
Highest Team played: Kentwell
Games played (if known): 110
Years as a Colleagues Coach: 3
Games coached (if known): 40
Greatest Colleagues memory? 65m driving lioneout try against Knox Old Boys in 2013 (or ladies day 2012…)
What makes Colleagues a successful club? Johnny Pappas’ hydration!

Name: William Robert YEO
Date of Birth: 25 June 91
Home town: Dubbo, NSW 2830
Height: 6ft 4inch
Weight: 90 Kg
Likes/Dislikes: Likes – long walks on the beach and XXXX Gold
Dislikes- pants without pockets
My Signature Dish: Chicken Caesar Salad
First year at the club: 2016
Points at club: 5
Position(s) played: Second Row/Fullback
Games played (if known): A fair few, no idea
Previous clubs represented: Dubbo Roos, Uni North Owls (ACT) and Gungahlin Eagles (ACT)
Body parts strapped for games: Thumbs and pinkie finger on right hand
Greatest Colleagues memory? Getting off the nudie run and bagging some meat in the Whiddon Cup GF
What brought you to the club? Jono Willis – Met Jono in Germany whilst he was doing some international recruitment in Munich at Oktoberfest.
What makes Colleagues a successful club? (one word or sentence)
Location, location, location and generally a great culture

2017 Events

22nd July – Old Colleagues Day v Waverley

12th August – Ladies Day 2 v Balmain

26th August – Colleagues Black Tie Ball

9th September – Grand Final Day

16th September – Presentation Day Woollahra Hotel

Following two weeks of training as a large trial squad, the NSW Subbies Rep side headed up by Colleagues Matt Barlow and Dave Burnett, have selected their starting 23 for the annual match against NSW Country on Sunday 4th June in Camden. The match squad includes 2016 Kentwell Cup leading try scoring hooker Charlie Henley, bruising Irish seconder rower Evan Culhane, halfback turned fullback Duncan Boyd Jones and veteran flyhalf Dan Kelly. Both Charles McDonald and Dave Wright were also selected in the final squad prior to getting injured on Saturday against Petersham. See the Rugby News interview with Coach Matt Barlow below.

1 Dean Curnow Balmain
2 Dan Midghall Hunters Hill
3 Andrew Buckeridge Waverley
4 Evan Culhane Colleagues
5 Mike Stubbs Petersham
6 Matt Roberts Mosman
7 Steven Morton Hunters Hill
8 Bernie Mauiava -Taulealo Petersham
9 Robert Cattanach Petersham
10 Dan Kelly (c) Colleagues
11 Jordan Rowland Forest
12 Beau Hape Forest
13 Chris Yates Waverley
14 Tiger Parker Drummoyne
15 Duncan Boyd Jones Colleagues
16 Charlie Henley Colleagues
17 Matt Kerr Balmain
18 Campbell Leard Waverley
19 Richard Cottrell Petersham
20 Tom Evans Petersham
21 Tyron Davies Balmain
22 Alex O’Shea Hunters Hill
23 Stan Taura Canterbury

  Matt Barlow Coach
Dave Burnett Coach
Warren Hodge Coach
Andrew Donovan Physio
Luke Calavassy Manager

Photos by www.spaimages.com.au

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Sign up online at agl.com.au/rugby or call us on 1300 AGL TAHS (that’s 1300 245 824).