HILLIES V EPPING @ DUNDAS: WET WEATHER MAKE-UP REVIEW
To be trite, wet weather make-up games really are what you make them. Lack interest and lose and you merely stay where you are on the log, ready for the full action to start a week later.
If you can show up ready to play and manage to win however the rewards are very generous. Post a W and you magically skip to positions and leads in the table not otherwise imagined.
In 2009 we made the most of the make-up round, and we did so in a big way.
Hunters Hill 5th Grade 7 lost to Epping 17.
Another close run for the 5s with Sri Lankan superstar Viren Fernando crossing for a fine five pointer. Maxy Marraffa was dominant once again and the speed of El Turk and Chalmers threatened throughout. The fives have a tough one against the Waverly boys this weekend and will have to bring their A game to the east.
Hunters Hill 4th Grade 41 beat Epping 0.
Fourth Grade did a number on their Epping counterparts, streaking away to a BP win. Richie Colley snared his second hat-trick of the season in a typically courageous display. Something about the Fours seems to suggest they might be cooking just at the right time of the season. With Firth, French and Tom Kellaway supplying plenty of heat, these boys should be nice and tender come semi-final time.
Hunters Hill 3rd Grade 40 beat Epping 0.
It is to my great regret that certain long-haired Third Graders have taken umbrage at this newsletter's supposed lack of enthusiasm over their success this year, particularly in regards to references that our glorious unbeaten side is merely "trundling along". I can assure you that "trundling" is one of the highest honours I can bestow in verb form and it is with much love for Third Grade that I write these reports.
Two-try-hero Andy Harvey's hair flowed majestically as he and his brother Laki trundled through an Epping side to produce a remarkable 15th straight. The Rock was in the building again as A. Ronzel caused further havoc, partner in back-row crime Matt Taka yet again impressing on the ball and off it.  Richie Colley collected try number 4 and 5 in what was simply a stupendous day for the little general.
Perhaps if Third Grade weren't so clinical in their victories, perhaps if they gave up a lead or won at the death I could write more evocatively about them. Perhaps not. Keep winning 3s. That is all.
Hunters Hill 2nd Grade 12 beat Epping 5.
A close one that denied us the perfect round and maybe not quite as slick as the past few weeks but the Twos got it done and that’s what counts right now. Matt Taka backed up for an MOM which is pretty amazing and Luke gave Epping the Bird on the way to another class performance. The Twos must now build toward their extended finals series that will begin Round 18 v Petersham.
Hunters Hill 1st Grade 29 beat Epping 14.
Producing a score that by no means reflected the tightness of the contest nor the effort put in, the Ones came away with a win built on heart and a hell of a lot of work.
Before the faithful could order their bread and sausage, the Black and Whites were behind their posts. A charge-down try in the first 15 seconds of the match was a surreal way to start such a big game but 80 minutes is a long time in rugby and luckily we had 79 minutes to recover.
The remainder of the first half was all Hunters Hill. To their credit Epping kicked intelligently and tackled where other sides have folded. Two return tries would ensure that the Hunters would hold the lead at half.
The second 40 would come down to a battle of will. Overcoming a mountain of defensive work, Hillies would hold and hold again until the pressure finally told in the form of a try to the Rams to set them up 3 points adrift. With Sammy Henry yelling into a traffic cone and Deano Thomson having a scream of a game, it would be Hillies who would climb the mountain, Dave Marshall scoring the heartbreaker under the posts to crack the Rams spirit and take the game. A Lane touchdown on the bell delivered an unlikely bonus point, to end one of the most satisfying, and important days of 2009 so far.
See some photos of the action @ Black and White Rugby
Notes regarding new format of Review: In the lead up to this year’s gala awards ceremony on September 18, Player points have now gone underground to ensure that a viable, profitable (and possibly corruptible) betting market can develop.
HOW ARE WE TRAVELLING?

Club Championship: 1st - 354 point lead
1st Grade: 2nd- 11 points ahead of Balmain, 3 points from lead
2nd Grade: 1st with a 2 point lead from Petersham and 7 from Balmain
3rd Grade: 1st with a 6 point lead over Petersham
4th Grade: 2nd- 10 points ahead of Petersham and 4 points off the lead
5th Grade: 13th/28 teams in the Halligan Cup

HILLIES V HAC (UWSH) @ COLLEGE PREVIEW
Going to College this weekend is unlikely to be an experience akin to the one regularly outlined in teen comedies.
Don’t let HAC’s modest standings fool you, they have been hitting form in the past few weeks with 1st grade wins over Petersham, Valley (Away), Hills and a 1 point loss to Balmain.
Their Fours also have two in a row so no time to relax before we hit overdrive.

Where HAC Stands
Club Championship: 8th
1st Grade: 8th
2nd Grade: 9th
3rd Grade: 9th
4th Grade: 8th

College Oval
UWS Hawkesbury
(entrance off Londonderry Rd)
Richmond

HOW TO GET TO UWSH?

By Bus Obviously…
10 AM Saturday at Boronia. The last bus-trip of Season 2009
The rugby bus trip is part of the soul of rugby. Anyone who experienced the evening of Hawkesbury Valley can appreciate the importance of showing respect to our opponents (who came to the HHHs in droves) and celebrating like a rugby team should.
When the speeches were done we got on the bus, we sung and the night began. Whatever had happens on the field on Saturday, we are going to enjoy our night, and enjoy it as a club.
Come on the bus!
You could end up anywhere, just ask Scott Keenan.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

The First HH Judd Cup Victory

Under the guidance Michael Moss in his third year as coach and having missed out on the semis in the previous two years when all other grades played grand finals, 1979 saw Hunters Hill capture the Judd Cup for the first time. This was the start of 5 consecutive Judd Cup Grand Finals winning again in 1980 and again 1983.
The Grand Final was won 15 – 3 against Lane Cove, HH also defeating thsem in the semi final 8 – 3, a week after losing to them 0 – 4 at Boronia Park, the only match all season not to score a point in. There were 11 out of 21 games were won to nil,  28 different try scorers with 14 multiple try scorers. Ray Hickman topped the list and was top point scorer with 50 (7T, 5G, 4PG), Peter Webster 28 (2T, 4G, 3PG), Tony Brunsdon 25 (1T, 6G, 3PG) , with 63 / 98 players to play Judd Cup, it truly was a club victory.

The Grand Final team consisted of: 1. Peter Webster (1PG), 2. Brad Hughes, 3. Nigel Stiffe, 4, Bill Kay, 5. Tony Brown (vc), 6. Colin Grainger (1T), 7. John Glennon, 8. Peter Wray, 9. Allan Southcombe, 10. Terry Laundry (c ), 11. Steve Kavanagh (1T), 12. Tony Brunsdon, 13. Peter Langrell, 14. Michael Taylor (1T), 15. Ivan Fitzgerald. Reserves: Ray Hickman (R-14), Wayne Chorley (R-6), Tim Hughes (R-3). Reserves not used: Gary Blackman, Ralph Carter, Alan Evans, Leigh Fitton, Greg Haines, Kurt Preussner, Scott Sainsbury, Phill Shaw, David Small, Bill Webb, Simon Wilson.

On 22nd August 2009, at Boronia Park, we will be celebrating 1979, all past players and supporters are welcome.

BACK TO BORONIA DAY – SATURDAY 22ND AUGUST

What are you doing on Sat 22 Aug? Here is whats on offer:

• Last competition normal round game for the year (semi's start the week after) and its at Boronia Park.
• All 4 grades are currently in the top 4 and all look good things to be in the semi's (same as 30 years ago - there is a theme starting to develop already).
• A Golden Oldies game before first grade with the CATS taking on Dads Army (made up of juniors fathers).
• Its back to Boronia and Sponsors Day.
• The game is against Petersham and the Brunno Cup will be contested (first grade) and we want it back!
• The CATS new playing gear will be handed out on the day.
• Team photo's will be taken on the day and will include the Seniors 5 grades, the CATS, along with any of the 1979 players present, and we hope to include an entire Hunters Hill Club photo with all past and present players including the juniors.
• And the days theme will be to revisit the great teams of 1969 and 1979 with 1969 being a year of Kentwell Cup vistory and 1979 being a very successful year for the club with all 4 sides making it into the semi finals.
• The Archives Committee will be putting together a display of club memorabilia with a 1969 and 1979 theme.
• There will be amusement rides for kids and a game of touch for them on oval 2 after the Cats vs Dads Army game
• Tri Nations Aus v NZ game is on that night at the HH Hotel.

Signed
Jules 'I love a parade' Arndt & Jim 'There's a parade in my pants' Bone

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