Old Colleagues

Old Colleagues have asked what happened on Grand Final day ? Here are a few thoughts.

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Writing this newsletter I am still numb with what happened on Grand Final Day 2016. As most Old Colleagues would now know the Blue Giants fought their way through the semi finals to find themselves with four teams in the big dance (new words for Grand Finals). The day offered much with perfect weather and a mid week rain event (more new words) producing a fast track fit for enterprising rugby.

The Judd Cup were first off the blocks (at the crack of dawn) against the usual St Pats Old Boys retirement village team (1000 games played by their front row). The game progressed as follows: after an initial 10 minutes where the giants were under pressure from the big Pats pack, finally we got the pill and never looked back with the fleet footed Blue Giant backs scoring some great tries!! Pats tried to come back several times but a resolute Colleagues pack led by Colleagues stalwart Chris Meharg defended stoutly and put up a blue defensive wall go you good things in the end wining 36-10 (Revenge after losing narrowly last year)

Next came the Whiddon Cup, could they reverse the poor playagainst the Mosman Whales from the major semi??? Well I would have to say that they certainly had the intensity and commitment however Old Colleagues at the game were still shaking their head long after the final whistle asking how a team could loose virtually every line out and every kick in the game and still win?? It was a real nail biter with the score Blue Giants 12- Mosman Whales 10 for most of the second half. A try on the bell and the Whales were out of their depth, final score 17-10. In the end total Commitment to the cause had overcome technique! (Revenge for Whiddo’s after losing narrowly last year)

The Burkies were next and the Colleagues were on a roll ! They came out firing scoring a early try and then another. Big second rower Michael Woodhouse causing damage all over the park. By the time Mosman woke up to what was going on the Giants had got some good rhythm and structure going and after putting up the blue defensive wall plus a late try to the good guys the score was 22-6. A scoreline reflecting for the state of play plus throw in (Revenge after losing narrowly last year)

The Colleagues crowd had grown by this stage for the main event. A long tunnel and some serious chanting brought the Colleagues Kentwell Cup onto the ground for what would be an epic final.

Mosman leading the comp for most of the season and minor premiers would be tough to toss but right from the outset you could feel the Blue Giant energy. Both sides putting on early points and nothing between two evenly matched sides. Skipper DK goes in under the posts and the Giants lead 19-14 at half time after playing out of their skins. Second half the same. Colleagues are all over the Whales like a barnacle rash. DK kicks two penalties its 25-14 still 20mins to go hopes are high for a magic finish. Suddenly Mosman get possession from broken play and score out wide 25-19 no conversion and then again Mosman drive over out wide, 25-24 but with time running out the feeling is still that the Colleagues will hold them out. A long range Colleague penalty kick hits the cross bar gallant reserve hooker Jono just misses gathering the ball under the posts, Mosman go wide again and reach the other end of the field, get a penalty shot and kick it to win, whistle goes Giants lose 27-25. “Wham bam cup jumps out of the can” !!

Still stunned and still feeling the pain of a magnificent team who represented the Club so well in the 2016 season. I say “hold your heads up Kentwell lets not forget the Bruce Graham Shield this season it is yours”, your Kentwell points ultimately made those magnificent men, the Blue Giant Colleagues the Championship Club of the year.

“Go The Colleagues”

Boothie

With finals footy already upon us its time for Colleagues fans to clean out the wardrobe and restock it with the latest Blue Giants merchandise.

We’ve got T-shirts, puffer jackets, caps, scarfs and even Colleagues Speedos, all available for purchase online with delivery.

Right: Colleagues Puffer Jacket $70

Click Here to see all the Colleagues merchandise on our website.

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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Old Colleague Sightings (continued)
Seems the superior rugby skills of Old Colleague Mal Sinclair have been passed on to his progeny. Mal’s two sons are playing in Saturdays Shute Shield 1st grade Grand Final Norths Vs Sydney Uni. Angus in the backs and Hugh like his father a no8. In the last round of the comp, Angus scored on the bell and had the kick to win the game and progress to the finals and now Grand Final. Pic here showing the action (straight over  the black dot as they say).Both lads have the Sinclair / Blue Giant touch of class and i’m sure Old Colleagues look forward to their future rugby careers with interest.

“Go The Colleagues”

“See you Saturday”

Boothie

P.S.Correspondence

Email from Gil Whelan

Remembering people like Eddie Radford, Bruce Diggle
and Charlie Vandervord (hope I got the spelling right)
reminds me of why we play the game.

Gil

Colleagues, Randwick, London Scottish

Gilbert Whelan
President
VIETNAM MICE-Club

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