Round 11 Update

A wholesome third edition of the 2023 newsletter:

• Preview an age old rivalry with Mosman
• Tim ‘Marto’ Martin laces up for game number 200
• Around the grounds
• Ladies day 2023 – saving the best for last – 5th August
• New merch available for newsletter subscribers

P.s if this email has been forwarded to you, please subscribe for all future editions.

This weekend we host our friends across the bridge for a full day of rugby. Mosman are bringing 7 teams over (6 grades and 1 colts) for a jam packed day of rugby. We will have the BBQ running from game one and the cocktail bar will be in full swing until the final whistle.
To ensure all players and supporters can get out to watch the Wallabies in time, we have brought forward the game times of Barbour, Burke and Kentwell. See the full schedule of games times below.

Tim “Marto” Martin will play his 200th game for Colleagues this Saturday.

An alleged country boy from Willow Tree (despite his RM Williams never having seen dirt from further west than Woollahra Oval 2 or further North than Union Street North Sydney), this bullocking second rower started his Colleagues career all the way back in 2002, when electricity was first being discovered.  Playing for the Colts that year, the team lost the vast majority of their games, not necessarily due to Marto’s influence (but certainly not necessarily not due to Marto’s influence).  However from the ashes of defeat, the next year Marto played in the victorious 2003 Barbour Cup winning Colts Team, the first time Colleagues had ever lifted that trophy.  During the Grand Final, Marto made his first and last ever linebreak for Colleagues.  The night after the win, Marto and the Barbour cup suffered the same fate – both seen lying broken on the floor of the Empire Hotel at 3am.

From there Marto went from strength to strength, playing every single grade for Colleagues* over his 200 appearances.  His career highlights include:

• Winning the 2017 Premiership with Whiddos.
• Not being asked whether his brother was available to play instead, in at least 5 of his 200 games.
• Playing overseas in London in 2012-2015, where he told everyone he was a First Grade player back in Australia.
• In 2003, getting a foot tattoo of the logo of the Colts Sponsor pub.  Unfortunately for all concerned, while the venue has since been destroyed, the tattoo lives on today.

So congratulations Marto on your 200th game, and we hope you’ll hang around for another 200!

*Not Kentwell – feel free to ask him about it

As we stare down the end of the season with three competition games to go there is a undeniable buzz around the club that 2023 still has a lot more to offer.

Round 11 sees the Maginficent Men defending Blue Giant stadium against Mosman.

 

 

 

Kentwell

Our top grade side is currently sit in 4th place with Blue mountains leading the Kentwell pack, setting up a tasty finish at home for ladies day. This team have turned the season around from a rough start to defeat heavy weights Hunters Hill and Waverley. In the last two weeks they held Forest scoreless 38-0 to top off a great Blue Rinse, however could not overcome a determined St Pat’s, going down by one point, 24-25.

Burke

Onwards and upwards for this group who put Forest to the sword 50-5 and got home against St Pat’s 28-8. Some injuries and player unavailability hasn’t stopped the Burke train from steaming ahead. Massive test this weekend against Mosman as always, so be sure to keep an eye on Burke over the next few weeks as they head into finals.

Whiddon

The Whiddon resurgence has commenced, with their backs against the wall two weeks ago and desperately needing to string a few wins together in order to reach finals, the wombats answered the call, knocking off Forest in a heart in mouth finish, 22-23 and St Pats 32-0. The match up of the weekend arrives this weekend against Mosman. Not only will this keep the finals dream alive, it’s a great indication of how far these men from the den have come (or have to go).

Judd

The men from 4th grade bounced back from their first defeat in 2023 against Waverley to get the chocolates over Forest 34-0 and St Pats 46-5. This weekend will be a huge test for Benny Abrahams’ men as they reach the business end of the season.

Halligans

The last few weeks has thrown everything at our Halligans, facing equal first place Lindfield and doing Division one proud they won 15-12. Since that the men have had convincing wins against Hills and Sydney Harlequins. Make sure to swing by Woollahra oval this weekend at 9.45 to clap on Tim Martin for his 200th game.

Barbour

Uni holidays have proven to be even more of a pain this year in a post covid world. Despite being heavily depleted for numbers, the fellas knotched up a win against Forest 24-21 but couldn’t match top of the table St Pats 31-5.

Woollahra Oval #2 and #3

• 9.45am – Halligan Cup Marto’s 200th
• 10:45am – Judd Cup
• 11:40am – Whiddon Cup
• 11:40m – Barbour Cup (WC#3)
• 12:45pm – Burke Cup
• 2:00pm – Kentwell Cup

Click here for the full sweep of results, team lists and highlights throughout the season.

Arguably the ladies day of all ladies day’s is around the corner on the 5th August. We are hosting the men from the mountains and have a few surprises in store for what will be a cracking day. Be sure you grab your ticket as soon as the event goes out and we’ll see you there.

A fresh shipment of merch has arrived from MJ Bale and a limited number of retro cotton Colleagues jerseys are available. Please reach out to Toby Cooke on 0438 144 874 with your size and preferred pickup option if you are interested. Club will be open all day this Saturday for anyone who wants to buy.

Home game vs Mosman Saturday 15th July – Woollahra No.2 Oval (Special Argentina themed weekend with early game times to allow for travel to the Wallabies v Pumas).

Ladies Day v Blue Mountains – Saturday 5th August – Woollahra No.2 Oval

Watch the Ladies Day video here

 

This year, all Kentwell, Burke, Whiddon, Judd and Barbour Cup matches will be available live and on-demand via NSW Rugby TV app. Click here for full details.

Anyone can tune in to watch the games live or catch replays and highlights throughout the week.