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HUNTERS HILL vs. BALMAIN @ BORONIA: ROUND THREE REVIEW
Balmain showed their unquestioned depth in another tough day for the Hillies 5s grade, with the black and gold’s racing to a 31 point win. Matt Payne was again a standout with Maxy Maraffa lethal as always. In the Fours, Hunters Hill overcame a committed Balmain side as well as a healthy Balmain lead to pip our rivals on the bell 26-20. Dan Casa continued his freakish run of form with a hat-trick to go with his double in the Seconds. Eleven tries after three weekends of rugby is ridiculous. He must be stopped. It was wonderful to see the Thirds dispose of Balmain in a clinical performance after the scrap of last week. The 32-3 performance included a supercharged 2 try performance off the bench by Chase Mason as well as a dominant performance by flanker Finnane. The Thirds are sitting in clear second and are still to drop a game. The Seconds fell to their first loss of the year in a close one 22-25. Strongman Cam Van Oirschot continues to press his claims for a first grade spot with a powerful performance while Englishman Nathan Peters is beginning to hit his straps with another big game. I promised you a “humdinger” and that is what you got. The Firsts’ nail-biting one-point triumph capped off a memorable day. With Bruce Purcell and Robbie Carter solid in their first-grade debuts and La La and Sam Henry brilliant in the centres, Hillies had just enough petrol in the tank and a fair bit of luck to overcome an always spirited Balmain side. Dean Thompson was predictably immense as Hillies went 3 for 3 and retain first place in the ladder. With 175 points for the weekend we hold a 79 point buffer over the boys from Merrylands. How convenient it is then that we take them on this Saturday with a chance to defend and maybe extend our lead. Hunters Hill 5th Grade 0 lost to Balmain 31. Hunters Hill 4th Grade 26 (Dan Casa 3, Matt Amery tries, Jack Wright 2 goals) beat Balmain 20. Hunters Hill 3rd Grade 32 (Chase Mason 2, Simeli Latilevu, Jon Gelling, Brad Chalmers tries, Zane Thomas 2 goals and a penalty) beat Balmain 3. Hunters Hill 2nd Grade 22 (Dan Casa 2, Andre Thomas, Burzin Mehta tries, Michael Kellaway goal) lost to Balmain 25. Hunters Hill 1st Grade 26 ( Matt Lane 2, Alex Light, Jordan Butler tries, Sam Henry 3 goals ) beat Balmain 25. HUNTERS HILL vs. MERRYLANDS @ HOLROYD SPORTS GROUND: ROUND FOUR PREVIEW Merrylands are a club that has been promoted from the now defunct Division Four but have wasted no time settling in to Division Three running a clear second in the club championship table and being untroubled in first grade fixtures so far. Every game this weekend has the potential to set Hillies up for a finals run or sit Hillies down for a reality check. Let’s give it everything. After match celebrations are at the Coolibah Hotel, Sherwood Road Merrylands. Let’s show our courtesy and get down there for a sausage sizzle and the speeches. We are also yet to win a boat-race. Fix that. PADDY ROBERTS MEMORIAL GAME - HUNTERS HILL VS BALMAIN REVIEW
We were honoured to have Paddy’s parents attend the game and they were presented with a signed Hunters Hill jersey. Coleman Taylor's made a special speech on behalf of the club and the minute of silence was solemnly respected by both sides. Paddy was on the minds of all who knew him and the club did his memory justice with 5 performances of great character. After the match, a senior member of the club remarked that such events are the ones that make you proud to be involved in a community such as Hunters Hill Rugby Club. May it always be so. HUNTERS HILL LITE REPORT
Hunters Hill Lite 7 (Ed Cummins try, goal.) beat St Ives 3 An electric atmosphere awaited the Lites as they took to Boronia for the first Hillies night game in this scribe's memory. With a substantial portion of the club on the sidelines it was wonderful to breathe in the cold night air, look up to the glittering cosmos in the sky and look out to a hard running Cosmo (Jones) on the field. Given that the seniors were largely given a night off training, it was smiles all round. The pace of the Under 85s format was not only was an excellent complement to the ELVs but made the game fantastically watchable. A youthful Hillies outfit, expertly steered by partners in crime Burzin Mehta and Ed Cummings, trailed for much of the match 0-3 only to snatch victory after sustained pressure as the clock hit 8.30pm. The Lites are now 1:1 going into their bye. On the potential of Tuesday night, it is great to see Hillies getting the business done midweek as well as the weekend. Near or under 85kg? The clock is ticking on your opportunity to participate in what is easily rugby's fastest growing format. There are seven remaining fixtures in the regular season for Hunters Hill Lite, including two Wednesday fixtures that do not clash with regular training. The "Lites" also provide an opportunity for other players you may know that may not be available for grade rugby. Mid-week weight-restricted rugby is a perfect avenue for bringing new guys to the club. Give your busy or lighter mates a call and get them down for a run. Hunters Hill Lite U85kg Fixtures 2009 Kick-offs 7.30pm Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6 Round 7 Round 8 Round 9 All interested players should contact the Club Captain or Angry for details. Players are welcome to play just 85s or both grade and 85s and the development of this team is fantastic for the future of Hunters Hill, providing another avenue for rugby in black and white. *I am also on the look out for an U85s media liaison to keep the club updated with the reports of their adventures. See Club Captain at training for an interview. LADIES DAY: SATURDAY 9TH MAY ROUND 5 - HUNTERS HILL vs. HAWKESBURY AT BORONIA PARK
Time is running out to get your ladies on board. Wives, Girlfriends, Friends, Friends of Friends, their friends, people you sit next to at bus stops and so on need to be told about what will be a fantastic day out at the rugby. It is up to each and every member of the club to get the word out and make it the biggest and best Hunters Hill Ladies day ever. It is next week so make the call or write the note now. Right now. CLUB CAPTAIN COLUMN
The work done by the executive, the committee, the managers and general volunteers is nothing short of immense, best exemplified by the one-armed but 100-tasked Jim Bone at the helm of the ship on Saturday. What I would like to say is that Hunters Hill Rugby club is our club. Its greatness will be built by our contribution, however big or small. I would ask that everyone in the club makes an effort to contribute to the club on Saturdays; from running raffles, to taking photos, manning the BBQ, running a touchline, running some water or even by taking up one of our new positions as a game-day ground announcer. It was particularly apparent on Saturday that Fifth Grade needs more support and more assistance from the rest of the club. Many hands make light work, but they also make a great club. On a final note, the club should be congratulated on how it conducted our memorial game for Paddy Roberts on Saturday. To win a close one in the Firsts with Paddy in our thoughts was a very special moment. Let’s continue to play with that passion all year. The hunt continues. REGO FEES: ROUND FOUR THIS WEEK! Thank you to all that have either paid their fees in full or have started paying by instalments. Rego fees remain the same as last year: $200 for Seniors and $150 for Students. We are taking payments on Tuesday & Thursday nights or you can pay via direct deposit. After this week if you have not attended to your fee situation you will not be able to play. This is disaster for all concerned particularly given how well the club is travelling. If you have issues with payment tell someone so we can make a plan, we will not penalise anyone that has approached us with a genuine reason for non payment or who have made a plan to pay their fees off by instalments. Let’s keep the ball rolling. Bank Account Details: BYRON TOUR:
Say yes three times and you should speak to Schapelle Groves, Ralph Wookie or Club Captain for info on what is an unforgettable part of the Hunters Hill experience. TONIGHT IS BALLWAIIAN NIGHT! Want discounts? Want kudos? Uncle Boner & Arndty Jules back to Index |
This week's game Social
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Hillies retained first place in the club championship last weekend as we commemorated the life of Paul “Paddy” Roberts in a full set of fixtures against Balmain. 3 from 5 was a solid result in what always is an interesting day against boys from Blackmore.
Last Saturday against Balmain Hunters Hill Rugby Club came together to remember Paddy Roberts, our big kiwi teammate who sadly passed away during the off-season. He was only 26.
Round 2 Tuesday 28 April
Hunters Hill Ladies Day will be held on Saturday the 9th of May: Round 5 vs. Hawkesbury Valley @ Boronia Park. See this 
On what was an eventful day for the club on Saturday, it was really rammed home to me that a) it takes a lot of work to run a rugby club and b) it is work that must be taken up by volunteers.
Think that there are 16 too many players on a rugby field? Do you like rugby in the sun? Is the 16th-19th of October free for you? 
