Early predictions for Round 1 of Division 1:
KNOX VS ST PATS: A better return to the Kentwell Cup, St Pats could not ask for. Knox won’t have the team to compete as Pats showed themselves to be the form team of Barraclough last year. PATS BY 20.
FOREST VS HUNTERS: Both clubs seem to be claiming a lack of numbers behind closed doors. Forest with Kentwell experience to use Fortress Melwood to win. FOREST BY 8.
PETERSHAM VS BLUE MOUNTAINS: If there was a game to be at last weekend, it was the trial between Waverley and Blue Mountains. The firepower in the Mountain Goats’ backline will be too much for the Shammies. MOUNTAINS BY 30.
COLLEAGUES VS MOSMAN: The clash of the Kentwell titans and likely the two to fit out the club championship. A great battle at Woolahra. MOSMAN BY 12.
DRUMMOYNE VS WAVERLEY: This is the match of the round, possibly the match of the year. Waverley were amazing last week against Blue Mountains and have been training the house down in pre-season. Drummoyne’s preparations have been less than stellar but you know Kentwell Cup legend, John Sinisa, will have the Dirty Reds machine firing. WAVERLEY BY 2 off a late game drop goal by Rory Garrett.
Iggies and Newport get the chocolates, to give the Woodsman 2/4 this round. Barker the surprise packet for me this week.The Woodsman will get to Division 4, eventually.....
Round 2 Division 2:
OLD IGNATIANS VS BEECROFT: An interesting game here between two first round losers. A young Beecroft side. An unknown Iggies side. I'll back Iggies to take the chocolates. OLD IGNATIANS by 7.
NEWPORT VS LINDFIELD: The clash of the titans (in terms of numbers anyway) in Division 2. Lindfield's lower grades were allegedly out in force against Epping last weekend, while Newport are going from strength to strength. Home ground advantage to push it to the Breakers. NEWPORT by 15.
BRIARS VS SYDNEY HARLEQUINS: If you follow Briars on Instagram, they are advertising the last visit by Harlequins where they won on the bell. Don't think they'll have that luck this week. I'm expecting a tough second week for the Briars lads. HARLEQUINS by 30.
BLACKTOWN VS OLD BARKER: This old dog cannot back Barker. It doesn't seem right. The Warriors bounce back from last week, using their size advantage. BLACKTOWN by 8.
HILLS VS UNSW: Uni will be on a high after their moreal-boosting thumping of Briars. Hills will be brimming with confidence after smashing Beecroft. A good game with two quality backlines, led by maestros Brinnand and Keppel. The boot of Brinnand at Yattenden to be the difference in this one. HILLS BY 2.
Division 4 predictions:
Redfield v Savers - X
HAC v Saints - X
Renegades v Epping - X
Oysters v Stags - Y
Mac Uni v Canterbury - ?
Raptors v Merrylands - Y
Colleagues 3 of 6 against Mosman though picked up Colts, 2nd, & 1st Grade. Thoroughly dominated Mosman in Kentwell. 38-0 could have been more, seemed to ease off with 20mins to go.Not so hot on my Division 1 take.
Well done to Waverley, doing the sweep on Drummoyne. Pat's coach would have been blowing up about the condition of the field at the Knox game. Well done to Hunters on a first up win in their return to the Kentwell.
Thanks for all the supporters out there who sh!t on my tips, post round, but didn't attempt their own. Well done, cowards.
Won the barbour cup in 16, the judd in 17 and the whiddon in 18/19, club seems to have been pretty healthy in the lower grades spare a week or two here and there?I stand corrected. Looks like after 6 seasons they can field the normal number of Div 1 grades.
Waves looking strong across all grades this year. Could be a big year for the whole club.Not so hot on my Division 1 take.
Well done to Waverley, doing the sweep on Drummoyne. Pat's coach would have been blowing up about the condition of the field at the Knox game. Well done to Hunters on a first up win in their return to the Kentwell.
Thanks for all the supporters out there who sh!t on my tips, post round, but didn't attempt their own. Well done, cowards.
Newport as in the UK? Do tell?I think you will find Mosman are not as strong due to a new partnership with Newport and more people are playing over there.
Not bad with 3/4 for Div 2/3 (1 postponed) and 4/5 for Div 4 (1 postponed). I'll take it.Round 2 Division 2:
OLD IGNATIANS VS BEECROFT: Iggies seemingly a little depleted, and short a chunk of their first grade from previous years. They went down in a pretty scrappy affair with Barker. Beecroft got slapped up by Hills side that seems to be on par with UNSW as the bar setters this year. Beecroft too slick and organised for Iggies. BEECROFT by 17. ACTUAL: Iggies up by 1
NEWPORT VS LINDFIELD: I think this will be the story of the season for Newport, too strong at home against most teams. Consistent numbers means a lot of returning players from a young side that is growing. Lindfield has similar strengths but will be blowing out the cobwebs in their first game of the year and will fall behind early. NEWPORT by 15. ACTUAL: Newport by 31
BRIARS VS SYDNEY HARLEQUINS: An interesting rivalry here - should be a close one. Following each other around the divisions. Quins on a high from a thumping at Blacktown and Briars may lift after being shown the standard by UNSW. QUINS by 7. POSTPONED
BLACKTOWN VS OLD BARKER: As much as it pains me, Barker will be too fit for Blacktown who got run around the park last week. Blacktown will have to bring it to them physically and support each other in the first 20 minutes to be in with a chance. BARKER by 22. ACTUAL: BOB by 26
HILLS VS UNSW: What a game. Both sides firing early in their first games of the year. UNSW hardly challenged by Briars so will need to lift on Saturday. Look to be well drilled, playing in patterns and vicious on counter attack. Earned the right through the middle to swing it when space appeared. Hills made Beecroft look pretty average and unconditioned which is no mean feat. Going to go down to the wire but my money is on UNSW BY 10. ACTUAL: UNSW by 7
Round 2 Division 4:
SAVERS v REDFIELD - Yeah manly won't travel well here even though they have a capable team. Redfield by 7 ACTUAL: Manly by 24
HAC v Saints - I hope for HAC's sake they get a strong win at home. They should be too strong for a already patchy saints travelling HAC by 19. ACTUAL: HAC by 7
Renegades v Epping - Epping struggled more than I thought against Merrylands but I think they'll be too strong for the Renegades due to their depth. Epping by 7
Harbour v Stags - Harbour will murder the poor stags who are numbers and experience low. Harbour by 35. ACTUAL: Harbour by 73 ouch
Mac Uni v Canterbury - Berries sound like they've come off second best after COVID which is a shame after some strong years previously. Mac Uni the dark horse Mac Uni by 5. ACTUAL: Postpoed
Raptors v Merrylands - Merrylands looked firey against Epping last week. Will be a clash of some big bodies on saturday, but with the Raptors in a bit of a hole of disorganisation. MERRYLANDS by 12. ACTUAL: Merrylands by 39
Can't see anyone getting close to harbour.
6 seasons? That’s a bit far fetched….. but yes it’s been a tough couple of seasons and now (hopefully) another stage of the cycleI stand corrected. Looks like after 6 seasons they can field the normal number of Div 1 grades.
Subbies needs a strong Knobs in Div 1 so lets hope it contiunes.6 seasons? That’s a bit far fetched….. but yes it’s been a tough couple of seasons and now (hopefully) another stage of the cycle
Does anyone know why the club championship tables are not updated on subbies website? Looking forward to the UNSW vs Old Barker clash on Saturday. UNSW clear favourites
On a similar vein, interesting that Div 2 teams that were lined up to play Raptors twice now just get an extra bonus point win for free as a result of the extra bye. I suppose it makes sense because less footy and Raptors blindsiding everyone.Because of the size of the divisions, some teams play each other twice. The Club Championships will therefore only apply from Round "X" onwards depending on the size of the division. Premiership points will accrue in every round of course.
On a similar vein, interesting that Div 2 teams that were lined up to play Raptors twice now just get an extra bonus point win for free as a result of the extra bye. I suppose it makes sense because less footy and Raptors blindsiding everyone.
Ah gotcha - that makes sense. Don't know what i was thinking hahahBefore they shifted down to 4th Div, the teams were advised our first bye was worth full points like a forfeit, and the second one was just a bye round.