The winter holidays have come and gone, the soccer oval at Riverview once again turns back to the round ball game after the abuse from the National championships and the ovens across Sydney once again get a hold of their recipes and see what tweaking is required for the remaining rounds ahead.
Riverview v Scots at Lane Cove
The recent championships showed again the quality of the individual Scots product. Many have found over the past six seasons, the Scots imported ingredients from the science labs of Sochi very hard to replicate in their local kitchens. There is though an ingredient not often found within the Bellevue pastries. I speak of resilience. No one can deny that the Bellevue
Belyash Pie is an incredible experience, it is though when faced with a contest in another playground that Scots does falter at times. In the past we have seen the Imperial Army struggle away from home but somehow muddle their way through. While playing at the Death Star (Scots Main) gives them confidence knowing that their secret special half-time milkshakes will help, Scots do not always travel well to other star systems were ready access to the sports lab is limited. This weekend they face the brave blue and white rebels of Lane Cove. Inspired by playing in the
Dagobah swamp bowl View may create doubt in the usual sure footed Scots storm troopers. Riverview, to be honest, like nothing more than making doubters eat their short crust and hence this weekend they expect the
Curry Lamb Pot Pie from The Cakeman bakery could create such a situation. Will the Dark Empire prevail? I am calling this a close one with the Lane Cove rebel alliance squeaking one out. Riverview by one ewok.
Scots boys line up to welcome their team to the field.
Kings v Shore at North Parramatta
The match is often seen as a country reunion. Many of these lads hail from familiar barren farming lands. Often from inside the scrum can be heard talk about lamb prices, who is marrying their sister and only if it would rain. This weekend though will no such rural discussion niceties as both teams will be attacking this game like a fox onto a wounded lamb. Kings will expect that their tried and true
Saveur Curry Lamb Pot Pie will continue to prevail over the drought effected Shoremen. Many continue to write off the lads from Northbridge as a paddock blown dry from the drought which has lasted now for many seasons. Has the best Shore got to offer been lost to the tumbleweed of time? While the Kings boys may see this game as a fait accompli, the recent past has shown that Shore look at this game as their chance to restore their pride. Recent school holidays allowed for a productive rugby camp for the Shore boys with a solid win against a cocky Cranbrook (really...cocky) and will come into the game with some renewed confidence. I hope this is close one and really want Shore to shake the dust of past defeats from the boots. Lets hope the Shore
Steak and Stilton Pie works a treat. Kings by a dozen merino.
Tumbleweeds gathering on the Shore ovals
Joeys v Newington at Hunters Hill
It has been recently eluded to that not all is well within the kitchen at Joeys. The past few seasons have been disappointing as the head chef refuses to listen to his patrons on what is required for a winning recipe. While the sous-chef at Hunters Hill has had success with his hard working cattle dogs, the spring lambs of the back line have not always been given the space and confidence to show what skill they have. Too often the opposition know the Joeys game plan better than they do. Recently rumors have come from the hallowed turf of Joeys number 1 that some of the lambs have started to make their dissatisfaction known. Joeys still produce good
Steak and Kidney pies but these are unoriginal and out dated. The head chef refuses to face the fact that old techniques are spoiling his final product. In the meantime the
Tuʻi empire of the inner west continues to slowly sink due to the round ball game gathering players to their code. Not fielding a 3rd XV in the 3rd XV competition is a sign that all is not well. I trace the start of this rot back to 2013 when there was too much of a reliance on League ingredients and Pacific pork. The mood within the kitchen soured the school community as those who were choosing between rugby and football chose the later as the only sport where you could be rewarded for your loyalty and hard work. Too many rugby boys turned their backs on rugby as no matter what they did and how hard they worked, the imported ingredients would always take their place. It has become poisonous to the Newington
Cajun Pork and Beef Cheese pie. Joeys by a dozen lamb chops.
Joeys forwards lining up
