Playing rugby in 2009

[boarman]

we dont get the option of a quick tap, a scrum is set with no pushing, whoever feeds it gets it, its a joke cause our scrum is always very strong and other clubs know this so they start with contested scrums and as soon as they are getting smashed the prop or hooker goes down, but 8 times out of 10 they stay out there playing.We tried to implement a rule whereas if scrums went uncontested then that team who called them had to drop a player off the ground, but there were others who called that being dangerous, i cant see how when the scrum would still be uncontested.It would of been the same condition if a player is red carded.
The other teams that suggested it being dangerous are piss weak if you ask me.

 

[Pfitzy]

Really? You need to talk to the association then - the rules in Subbies state:

17. UNCONTESTED SCRUMS

17.1 All teams are to have a sufficient number of players who can play in the front row to ensure that at the start of the match, and on the first occasion that a replacement hooker is required, and on the first occasion that a replacement prop forward is required, the team can play safely with contested scrums. Contravention of this rule will mean that:

(a) in all grades except Halligan Cup***, this team can no longer substitute or replace ANY player whilst uncontested scrums continue to be played. If, subsequently, a qualified front rower becomes available so that scrums can be contested then that player will be allowed on the field and normal substitution/ replacement laws re-instated.

(b) should this team commit an error which results in a scrum, the opposing team will have the choice of either a free kick, or an uncontested scrum. Uncontested scrums will be played when the team unable to field a suitably trained front row is awarded a scrum as per the laws of the game.

17.2 If both clubs do not have suitably trained front row players to start a minor premiership match, the match will still be played and uncontested scrums will be played for both teams. The choice of a free kick in this circumstance will not be permitted.

17.3 Any club which plays uncontested scrums in two or more matches in a particular grade during a season with the exception of the Halligan Cup*** shall receive a written warning from the union and may be called to appear before, or give a written submission to the Clubs, Competition and Rules Sub-Committee as a matter of urgency at a time notified by the NSWSRU. The Sub-Committee may recommend to the Board some appropriate action be taken against the club in the form of a fine, loss of competition and/or club championship points, ineligibility for final series, suspension, or withdrawal of that team from the competition.

So basically, if you only take your starting front row to the game, and call uncontested, you don't get to use ANY of your other bench players. And if you keep that shit up, then the judiciary gets onto your ass. Not that a few clubs haven't tried it and gotten away with it, but it helps if its down in writing.


*** Halligan Cup is a comp where clubs with extra numbers can organise a "friendly" match - like a pick-up game when a heap of lads are available one week.

 

[Scarfman]

The Sydney Convicts bring a whole new meaning to the term "pickup game."

[Top lads, by the way]

 

[Pfitzy]

Yes Scarfy - but they can't scrum for shit.

The other teams that suggested it being dangerous are piss weak if you ask me.

Dangerous to their chances of victory

 

[Aussie D]

At the Rams we are now definitely on a slippery slope. We only had 22 players turn up for the 2 grades on Saturday against one of our most hated rivals. We went down in seconds 67-0 and 74-0 in firsts. We have 2 games remaing, our sponsors day is this week so I am hoping we get a good turnout, though I am not optimistic.

 

[Pfitzy]

Last regular game of the season for us, taking on the lads from Notre Dame. I sat on the sideline for most of Second Grade before our coach got embroiled in an argument with the brothers of one lad who blew his Achilles. The guy was on the far side of the field when he did it, so they carried him off there. Then one of his brothers/cousins came over in a drunken rage and started telling us we had to get an ambulance - not a bad option given Second Grade were up about 40-zip at that point. The fact is the guy wanted to stay and watch First Grade, and shit it was just an Achilles and not life-threatening. Seconds won 69-5.

Ten minutes from fulltime, when the coach had finally gotten back to our side of the field, the First Grade coach needed a prop and I was the best man available. So I took off the reserves shirt and started First Grade at loosehead. Did some good things too if I say so myself - one of my better games in a First Grade shirt. I think the secret is not to think too much

Caused a turnover at a maul, got penalised once, ran with the ball once or twice (to effect) and dived on a loose one to secure possession. Firsts won 61-17 after a couple of late tries put ND into double figures.

So we're club champions again and First Grade minor premiers again - three years the club has been playing, and both of those awards we've won three times. Now its time for the finals:

Second Grade play Rockdale next Saturday at David Phillips Field (Daceyville) at 12.30PM. By the looks of it I'm going to be on the bench (despite the fact I'm good enough to hold my own at First Grade - go figure). First Grade get a week off.

 

[Aussie D]

Played our second last game of a long season yesterday - surprise, surprise home game against weak opposition and we have players coming out of the woodwork. I handed the captaincy over to a teammate yesterday as it was his 100th for the club. We won the game 17-8 which was no reflection of the dominance we had. I played most of the first half (came off just before HT as my shoulder has still not come right) at LHP and absolutely smashed the opposition prop (not hard when they don't push). We got a couple of tightheads and on the rare occasion they did win their ball we just about shoved them through 180 (the ref was slow to pull it up through 90).

Our firsts continued their poor form and lost 40-odd to nil. Sponsors day too yesterday which was a real letdown for the club.

 

[boarman]

Our grand final opponent has been decided and its a replay of last years game, except it will be played at our home ground.

Batemans Bay Boars vs Bermagui Sharks at Hanging Rock Rugby Park (Batemans Bay)

The Sharks overcame Narooma 29-19, i never ventured to the game so i dont know how it played out.

This weekends game will be a terrific encounter as the Sharks are the only team to have defeated us this year ( a 1 point loss) at their home ground and the other game was won by us by 2 points at our ground.On both occasions were were without 4-5 quality players( both centres, 2nd rower , Flanker and versatile reserve), but we will still have to be at our best to overcome them, as they are a very determined team.
As a senior player with lots of grand final appearances i will be trying to instill into some of the younger guys and players who have never experienced a game this big that its not necessarily the best team that wins these games , its the team who wants it the most, to be patient and not panic, be very disciplined etc etc.

Stay tuned for the result, it could be a little late in being posted for obvious reasons LOL.

 

[the gambler]

Just an update on Subbies.

There is a possibility that the once great and mighty Dirty Reds may be relegated to 2nd division. This despite their first grade sitting 2nd on the table. In recent years they have won a couple of club championships and a number of first grade grand finals, so if it actually happens it will be a real turn up for the books. However they are currently sitting in 2nd last on the club championship, have a relatively tough run home and have poor recent form. Comparatively the club in last place, my great club, have won 7 of their last 8 first grade games (after losing their first 8 on the trot) and are charging home quicker than Super Impose on the Randwick Mile.

It appears that if Drummoyne do get relegated they will not be missed. We have had offers from other clubs to take any of their first grade players should we need them to try and continue our charge home. The dislike seems to stem from the fact they pay a number of their players and have focused on first grade alone, to the detriment of the rest of the club and colts in particular.

 

[Cutter]

It appears that if Drummoyne do get relegated they will not be missed. We have had offers from other clubs to take any of their first grade players should we need them to try and continue our charge home. The dislike seems to stem from the fact they pay a number of their players and have focused on first grade alone, to the detriment of the rest of the club and colts in particular.

That doesnt sound like cricket to me gambler. I understand the sentiment, but their neglect of the other grades is clearly coming home to roost anyway.

 

[Pfitzy]

We've got a fairly good rapport with Drummoyne. They're hated partly because they pay their players (and shit that happens a lot even in Subbies), but also because they've been tapping on the door of Premier rugby for yonks but never gotten a look in, even with clubs like Penriff and Souths receiving pasting after pasting.

Last year Drummoyne were undefeated First Grade premiers. This year their coach left early on and they barely get half a team to training. So its not just their lower grades that are to blame. They're existing primarily on talent at the moment and not a lot of club spirit. At the start of the year we played a trial against them and they were looking forward to another big one. This is the way of rugby sometimes - kick out some pillars and the house will sag. Kick them all out and it collapses.

 

[Pfitzy]

Anyway, onto more important things i.e. the Renegades. We've got our Second Grade elimination final on this Saturday (details here) against Rockdale. We beat them 17-14 on a pissing wet day at their home ground of CA Redmond oval with only one reserve available (I was away for that one).

With the team we've compiled since then, I'm pretty confident we can get a win and move through to the next week of finals. Just need to keep that composure and put up with the heat. I'm on the bench at the moment, but the scheduled starting hooker wasn't at training tonight so I threw to the lineout and hit the mark pretty consistently. Even the lineout jumper (former Emus lower grader - tall lad and hardcore with it) said "I think you've been promoted to lineout thrower". But we'll see.

I'm concerned that our scrum isn't going to be as dominant as it possibly could be. The guy starting ahead of me (at tighthead, shifting my preferred THP partner to loosehead) is a bit soft at scrum time. After the game I had for First Grade last week I was hoping to get a look-in starting Seconds, but it looks like I'll just have to prove the coach wrong on Saturday. They apparently want more aggression out of me, but what is the point of blowing all your energy on aggression when you can't make it to the next ruck or hold up your side of the scrum?

 

[the gambler]

It appears that if Drummoyne do get relegated they will not be missed. We have had offers from other clubs to take any of their first grade players should we need them to try and continue our charge home. The dislike seems to stem from the fact they pay a number of their players and have focused on first grade alone, to the detriment of the rest of the club and colts in particular.

That doesnt sound like cricket to me gambler. I understand the sentiment, but their neglect of the other grades is clearly coming home to roost anyway.

pretty sure the offer has been tongue in cheek and it is certainly not something we would consider. Just saying it to show how some clubs feel about them.

 

[Aussie D]

It appears that if Drummoyne do get relegated they will not be missed. We have had offers from other clubs to take any of their first grade players should we need them to try and continue our charge home. The dislike seems to stem from the fact they pay a number of their players and have focused on first grade alone, to the detriment of the rest of the club and colts in particular.

That doesnt sound like cricket to me gambler. I understand the sentiment, but their neglect of the other grades is clearly coming home to roost anyway.

pretty sure the offer has been tongue in cheek and it is certainly not something we would consider. Just saying it to show how some clubs feel about them.

Hope they do get relegated as one of our first grade coaches appointed for this year was poached by them at the start of the season (week of the first game) for a bit of money. He turned up at our ground last week for a game only to be told in no uncertain terms that he was not welcome at our club.

As for me, tomorrow marks my final game of rugby before retirement in a game we have labelled as our grand final - a win will guarantee that our seconds do not finish with the dreaded wooden spoon. First grade need a win and a bonus point to avoid the spoon but that is highly unlikely to occur as they have been very poor for the second half of the season.

 

[RugbyReg]

can I just add my 6 year old has scored 46 tries this year? In 14 games. 2 to go to crack his 50!

 

[Moses]

can I just add my 6 year old has scored 46 tries this year? In 14 games. 2 to go to crack his 50!

46 + 2 = 50 ?

Top effort from the young fella though, how's that tally compare to his teammates?

 

[cyclopath]

can I just add my 6 year old has scored 46 tries this year? In 14 games. 2 to go to crack his 50!

Hog!
That's great, Noddy. Wish my 7 year old had any interest in rugby...

 

[RugbyReg]

Sorry. 2 games to crack his 50.

GPS this weekend and then Wests.

Next highest is 27 I think.

 

[RugbyReg]

He's done it. 4 tries to bring up his 50. Nice eye for a gap and a decent step and swerve.

 

[Aussie D]

Played my final game yesterday, unfortunately we lost 31-29. 2 bonus points should be enough for us to avoid the spoon though. I was pretty unhappy when I was subbed with 15 to go though, but we had a heap of reserves and they wanted to give everyone a run (the guy who replaced me apologised for it later). We would have run but our flyhalf is a ball hog who has no idea about field position (do I need to say more?) and even though the opposition had no-one at fullback half the time our backs didn't seem to think that a kick was a smart move :nta: (though the flyhalf did think a chip into the ingoal was a good idea with numbers and space on his outside 10 out from their line :angryfire: ).

First grade got pasted 100-0 to end a horrible anus of a season (or however the Queen puts it).