Author: 22metri

The top of the ladder Dewar Shield clash, between the only two Dewar Shield’s unbeaten teams, delivered a tough game of Rugby won by the better team. The Match  Harlequins wins the opt of the table Dewar Shield clash, and in doing so collects yet another bonus point in a perfect start to their season. The difference between the two teams is smaller than the final scores suggest.  We are likely to see the two team go head to head again, in the Grand Final. Both teams showed great structure and good combinations.  The Unicorns showed they could put the visitors…

Saturday’s match between Melbourne Unicorns and Harlequins will see the only two unbeaten team of Dewar Shield lock horns to establish an early supremacy on premier Victoria’s competition. The top of the table clash in the Dewar Shield couldn’t have come at a better time for flourishing Victorian Rugby community. With the Australian conference-leading Rebels enjoying a bye next Super Rugby round, all the attention will be on the local competition and the match at Romanis reserve on Saturday 3:10 p.m.  It should attract a larger than normal crowd. The game will see not only the best two team of the…

The awaited battle of the Hills, Box Hill versus Endeavour Hills,  delivers an entertaining game of Rugby. The Match Despite a scoreline depicting a clear win by Box Hill, Endeavour Hills played a gallant game and snatched a last-minute try to earn a bonus point. The home team impressed with composure in defence and speed from the backs.  The visitors demonstrated that they possess a much better competitive spirit than in previous years. First Half The game started uphill for the visiting team punished with a yellow card for a high tackle by winger Jason Lam. Endeavour Hills conceded almost immediately,…

The Melbourne Rebels fall short in Auckland, losing 36 – 30 to the Auckland Blues. The Match The Melbourne Rebels arrived to this match as Australian Conference leader, after their convincing win against the Cheetahs.  They were looking for their second ever win in New Zealand, and their fourth win away from AAMI for the first time in a season. The Blues, which had a bye in Round 9, were determined to keep up the pace of the other kiwi teams, in the race for the most complicated ever play off system, in the history of the sport played in…

With unbeaten Harlequins and Melbourne facing relatively easy tasks, the sixth round of the Dewar Shield will be the “battle of the hills”. Endeavour Hills is shaping as the surprise package of the 2016 Dewar Shield season. The Eagles have managed some convincing wins, and their trip to Box Hill will be the most important match of the round. A remarkable turnaround for both teams, which were lingering at the bottom of the ladder just three years ago. Defending champions and ladder leaders Harlequins will host the struggling Footscray. The Bulldogs are slipped into a deep hole, after winning their…

With competition leaders Harlequins enjoying the bye, the fifth round of Victoria’s elite competition will see Melbourne Unicorns pushing for the top spot. The Unicorns, sitting second on the ladder, are still unbeaten in the competition and will face a tough opponent in Moorabbin.  Boosted by Melbourne Rebels’ Tim Metcher, he will line-up against teammate Mick Snowden.  He shifts to fly-half as he has done in the second half of last Unicorns’ game.  A big win for Melbourne will put them on top of the ladder. A game that should entertain the spectators will be played at Henry Turner Reserve between Footscray…

Round four of the Dewar Shield confirmed the Unicorns as one of the teams to beat, whilst the Bulldogs showed they have room to improve. The Match The game was well played by both team and hung in the balance up until the last 15 minutes.  Eventually, the visitors collapsed and the Unicorns ran away with a 37 – 21 victory.  The Unicorns were able to use their reserves to good effect, whilst the Dogs showed their lack of depth and fitness. The kick-off First Half The first half started with the Unicorns exerting some good pressure on the Dogs.  The Dogs…

Dewar Shield Round 4 is expected to be big.  Three out of the four matches have the potential to shape the competition ladder for season 2016.   After an unexpected loss at home against Endeavour Hills, Footscray will play the Unicorns at Romains reserve.  In a top four battle, Footscray (4) welcome back Rebel players Cullum Retalick and Colby Faainga’a.  The Unicorns (2) will have Mick Snowden and the competition’s top scorer Paul McConnochie in the midfield. In a late schedule change, Box Hill will host Power House at RHL Sparks Reserve.  Depending on the result, the Broncos can leapfrog…

Exciting game of rugby in the third round of Victoria’s Dewar Shield between the Rams and the ‘House. Moorabbin wins by 4 holding off a late resurgence from Power House The Match Moorabbin won a very important match to prove their play off credentials in the Dewar Shield. The Rams were coming from a 30 points hiding against Harlequins and needed hardly to come back to the winners. Power House, after their convincing away win against Southern Districts, came to win. The match was in balance up to the last play of the game, with the visitors down by 4 and pushing…

Round three of the Dewar Shield will present an opportunity for Harlequins to extend their lead. The third round of the Dewar Shield will be affected by the bye for the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby.  Based on published team lists, no contracted Rebel players listed in any Dewar Shield team.    Teams will also be affected by the availability of the under 20 players, who played in the final against the Reds last week. While Melbourne Unicorns enjoy the week off, the reigning champion Harlequins will visit the struggling Melbourne University on Saturday in a rematch of last year’s…

It was a good display of rugby at Romanis Reserve where the Unicorns had to fight until the last second to hold back a late attempt by Box Hill to steal the win.. The Match It was the second game for the Melbourne Unicorns who enjoyed a comfortable 40-point win against Power House in the opening round of the 2016 Dewar Shield.  They carried their momentum through the Easter break against the Box Hill Broncos, who had a bye in Round One. It was an entertaining match as both teams scored freely in the first half, but Box Hill slowed down after the…

The second round of the Victorian competition will be played on Saturday at 3:10 The Dewar Shield comes back after a week pause due to Easter holidays and will see Box Hill Broncos play their first game of the season. They will face red-hot Melbourne Unicorns who scored a large win in their first outing against Power House. The match at Romanis Reserve will provide an insight on both the ambitions of the Unicorns and the new-shape Broncos after departure of head coach Andrew “Sly” Slyfield who turned them around in the past two years. After big wins in the…

Zacker is back The speedy scrumhalf has fully recovered from the shoulder reconstruction and will take the field in the starting XV on Sunday in Sydney for the first time in the season In his own words Stirzacker said: “I am delighted to be back and am looking forward to the weekend”.  The Sydney-born player will also be happy to celebrate his return in the city where he still has family and a lot friends. As for his sitting out the first games he referred to it  as: “…really frustrating”, however he added that he was happy to see the team…

An already difficult start of the season gets even harder for the Rebels. The globetrotters of  Super Rugby have travelled a combined distance just short of circumnavigating the planet and sits comfortable with three wins in four games. They will host the red-hot reigning champions on Saturday night at AAMI-Park in a match that could define their season. Both teams arrive at the match after a win: the Rebels won the first ever match played by an Australian Super Rugby team in Japan, the Highlanders held off a late Waratahs’ comeback to mark their third win in a row. [one_half last=”no”]…

The Footscray Bulldogs scored a convincing win to start their season. The Match Both teams were looking to make a good first impression and start season 2016 off with a win. Melbourne University were the surprise package of season 2015, making the Grand Final.  Changes to both playing and coaching staff could slow their progress in 2016.  New head coach Andrew “Sly” Slyfield will look to rebuild for a tilt at the 2017 premiership. Footscray have seen great stability in their team, with many plays enjoying a number of seasons together.  They will look to exploit this stability for the season…

Can Harlequins make it four in a row, or will we see a new champion in 2016? About the Dewar Shield The Dewar Shield is the premier grade Rugby competition in Victoria.  Nine teams compete for the Dewar Shield; Footscray, Melbourne University, Endeavour Hills, Harlequins, Moorabbin, Southern Districts, Power House, Melbourne and Box Hill.  A home-and-away format is run over 18 rounds, with the top four playing in a knockout finals series. For the last three seasons, Harlequins have won the Dewar Shield.  Competition is expected to intensify this season, with Box Hill and Melbourne University in the mix for premiership…

The Melbourne Rebels hold on to deny the Queensland Reds their first win of the season. The Match Both teams had endured a tough week and looked to make an impact on the pitch.  The Rebels returned from their road trip, bruised, battered, but with a win against the Force.  With a number of key players out through injury, Melbourne still managed to field a competitive side.  However, just before kickoff the Rebels plans were again thrown into disarray with the late scratching of Tamati Ellison. In a history making moment, Sione Tuipulotu was drafted into the side.  A special moment for…

McMahon and McGahan talk to the press at Captain’s run. Both the stand-in captain and coach of the Melbourne Rebels had warned of being dismissive of the under pressure Queensland outfit ahead of the Rebels first home game of the season on Saturday night. After clocking up over 20,000 kilometers between Melbourne, Perth and Pretoria, the Melbourne Rebels will play their first home game against the Queensland Reds at AAMI Park. Sean McMahon, with stitches on his cheek and a black eye, told reporters that he is fit to play. Sean noted that the injury, suffered midway through the 20…

These are the days when all teams are stronger and more focused from the previous year, players and coaches have learned from past errors and applied the required changes, fans are eager to cheer every ball, the season looks bright, the grass is freshly cut and the bodies rusty but not yet sore. The Melbourne Rebels faced a Manu Samoa selection with a lot of unknown faces and with no team spirit. The final score was the clear result of a one-sided match between a professional team and an amateur one. The night looked bright for the home team from the very…

With a solid performance Brisbane City beats the Melbourne Rising and for the first time the Little-Horan Shield changes hands. The Match In a typical four seasons in two hours Melbourne day, the game was played on the training ground of the Rising, home of the Harlequin Rugby Club. The hosts were quick off the blocks but the visitors re-composed themselves after the first twenty minutes.  Brisbane City outscored the Rising in the second half to register a well deserved 45-21 win. First half In front a small but faithful home crowd the Rising went on the attack in the…