Sydney Subbies 2022

[Ref_Ted]

Well Div 2 is not off to a good start for round one as many predicted.
Status is as per the confirmed referee appointments as per Friday evening.
Weather aside, this still does not take in no-shows, or numbers playing multiple games.
Am I right in thinking Western Raptors only have 3rds & Colts?

Richardson Cup - There are no Richardson Cup games happening as scheduled.

Competition	Division	Grade	Date	Home	V	Away	Location	Date/Time	Title	Status
NSW Suburban Rugby	Division Two	4th Grade	23/04/2022​	Beecroft	v	Hills	Headen Park-	23/04/2022 10:45​	Richardson Cup
NSW Suburban Rugby	Division Two	4th Grade	23/04/2022​	Hawkesbury Valley	v	Newport	McQuade Park-	23/04/2022 10:45​	Richardson Cup
NSW Suburban Rugby	Division Two	4th Grade	23/04/2022​	Lindfield	v	Western Raptors	Soldiers Memorial Park-	23/04/2022 10:45​	Richardson Cup	Lindfield vs Old Barker
NSW Suburban Rugby	Division Two	4th Grade	23/04/2022​	Old Barker	v	Old Ignatians	Turramurra Oval-	23/04/2022 10:45​	Richardson Cup
NSW Suburban Rugby	Division Two	4th Grade	23/04/2022​	Sydney Harlequins	v	Blacktown	Waterloo Oval-	23/04/2022 10:45​	Richardson Cup
NSW Suburban Rugby	Division Two	4th Grade	23/04/2022​	UNSW	v	Briars	David Phillips Field-	23/04/2022 10:45​	Richardson Cup

Blunt Cup - 4 out of 6

Competition	Division	Grade	Date	Home	V	Away	Location	Date/Time	Title	Status
NSW Suburban Rugby	Division Two	3rd Grade	23/04/2022​	Beecroft	v	Hills	Headen Park-	23/04/2022 11:40​	Blunt Cup
NSW Suburban Rugby	Division Two	3rd Grade	23/04/2022​	Hawkesbury Valley	v	Newport	McQuade Park-	23/04/2022 11:40​	Blunt Cup	Confirmed
NSW Suburban Rugby	Division Two	3rd Grade	23/04/2022​	Lindfield	v	Western Raptors	Soldiers Memorial Park-	23/04/2022 11:40​	Blunt Cup	Confirmed
NSW Suburban Rugby	Division Two	3rd Grade	23/04/2022​	Old Barker	v	Old Ignatians	Turramurra Oval-	23/04/2022 11:40​	Blunt Cup
NSW Suburban Rugby	Division Two	3rd Grade	23/04/2022​	Sydney Harlequins	v	Blacktown	Waterloo Oval-	23/04/2022 11:40​	Blunt Cup	Confirmed
NSW Suburban Rugby	Division Two	3rd Grade	23/04/2022​	UNSW	v	Briars	David Phillips Field-	23/04/2022 11:40​	Blunt Cup	Confirmed

Robertson Cup (Colts) - Hurrah!

Competition	Division	Grade	Date	Home	V	Away	Location	Date/Time	Title	Status
NSW Suburban Rugby	Division Two	1st Colts	23/04/2022​	Beecroft	v	Hills	Headen Park-	23/04/2022 12:45​	Robertson Cup	Confirmed
NSW Suburban Rugby	Division Two	1st Colts	23/04/2022​	Hawkesbury Valley	v	Newport	McQuade Park-	23/04/2022 12:45​	Robertson Cup	Confirmed
NSW Suburban Rugby	Division Two	1st Colts	23/04/2022​	Lindfield	v	Western Raptors	Soldiers Memorial Park-	23/04/2022 12:45​	Robertson Cup	Confirmed
NSW Suburban Rugby	Division Two	1st Colts	23/04/2022​	Old Barker	v	Old Ignatians	Turramurra Oval-	23/04/2022 12:45​	Robertson Cup	Confirmed
NSW Suburban Rugby	Division Two	1st Colts	23/04/2022​	Sydney Harlequins	v	Blacktown	Waterloo Oval-	23/04/2022 12:45​	Robertson Cup	Confirmed
NSW Suburban Rugby	Division Two	1st Colts	23/04/2022​	UNSW	v	Briars	David Phillips Field-	23/04/2022 12:45​	Robertson Cup	Confirmed

Stockdale Cup - Alas, is it Lindfield or Raptors in trouble here?

Competition	Division	Grade	Date	Home	V	Away	Location	Date/Time	Title	Status
NSW Suburban Rugby	Division Two	2nd Grade	23/04/2022​	Beecroft	v	Hills	Headen Park-	23/04/2022 14:00​	Stockdale Cup	Confirmed
NSW Suburban Rugby	Division Two	2nd Grade	23/04/2022​	Hawkesbury Valley	v	Newport	McQuade Park-	23/04/2022 14:00​	Stockdale Cup	Confirmed
NSW Suburban Rugby	Division Two	2nd Grade	23/04/2022​	Lindfield	v	Western Raptors	Soldiers Memorial Park-	23/04/2022 14:00​	Stockdale Cup
NSW Suburban Rugby	Division Two	2nd Grade	23/04/2022​	Old Barker	v	Old Ignatians	Turramurra Oval-	23/04/2022 14:00​	Stockdale Cup	Confirmed
NSW Suburban Rugby	Division Two	2nd Grade	23/04/2022​	Sydney Harlequins	v	Blacktown	Waterloo Oval-	23/04/2022 14:00​	Stockdale Cup	Confirmed
NSW Suburban Rugby	Division Two	2nd Grade	23/04/2022​	UNSW	v	Briars	David Phillips Field-	23/04/2022 14:00​	Stockdale Cup	Confirmed

Barraclough Cup - Can we get a full schedule for 1st Grade? Ehh, that would be no.

Competition	Division	Grade	Date	Home	V	Away	Location	Date/Time	Title	Status
NSW Suburban Rugby	Division Two	1st Grade	23/04/2022​	Beecroft	v	Hills	Headen Park-	23/04/2022 15:15​	Barraclough Cup	Confirmed
NSW Suburban Rugby	Division Two	1st Grade	23/04/2022​	Hawkesbury Valley	v	Newport	McQuade Park-	23/04/2022 15:15​	Barraclough Cup	Confirmed
NSW Suburban Rugby	Division Two	1st Grade	23/04/2022​	Lindfield	v	Western Raptors	Soldiers Memorial Park-	23/04/2022 15:15​	Barraclough Cup
NSW Suburban Rugby	Division Two	1st Grade	23/04/2022​	Old Barker	v	Old Ignatians	Turramurra Oval-	23/04/2022 15:15​	Barraclough Cup	Confirmed
NSW Suburban Rugby	Division Two	1st Grade	23/04/2022​	Sydney Harlequins	v	Blacktown	Waterloo Oval-	23/04/2022 15:15​	Barraclough Cup	Confirmed
NSW Suburban Rugby	Division Two	1st Grade	23/04/2022​	UNSW	v	Briars	David Phillips Field-	23/04/2022 15:15​	Barraclough Cup	Confirmed

 

[WoodyWoodsman]

Alot is going to come out after this weekend. There are a lot of clubs in trouble.

Western Raptors only fielding two grades this week, whereas Lindfield have five and are now sending three to Epping.
Beecroft, Barker and Old Ignatians all unable to field third or fourth grade.

Two clubs have pulled out of the Division 5 competition.

Hawkesbury Ag do not have enough players to cover their two grades.

The Subbies office have worked hard to put things together, only for clubs to let them down.

 

[WoodyWoodsman]

Let's get active with some predictions. The Woodsman's inside knowledge will serve him (me) well here
DIVISION 2
BEECROFT vs HILLS: A high turnover of players at Yattenden Oval won't stop the Matt Brinnand-led Hills lads from securing an impressive first round victory over the Lions. With his dazzling red hair, I'd expect Brinnand to score a brace here with his radar boot doing the damage. Hills by 12.
UNSW vs BRIARS: You look through the Uni side and you see some new names, but what they bring is raw talent. It's a tough road trip to David Phillips so the smart money is on the Uni boys to romp home here. Uni by 30.
HAWKESBURY VALLEY vs NEWPORT: The game has been moved to the old goat track, Deerubbin. But Newport, without Hunters, St Pats and Epping in the way, will fancy themselves as title favourites. Too much class in Newport, while the Tully boys will keep Valley in the game, the relentlessness of the Breakers will win through. Newport by 6 (MATCH OF THE ROUND)
OLD BARKER vs OLD IGNATIANS: I'll take Iggies because Barker shouldn't be in this division. Iggies by I don't care.
HARLEQUINS vs BLACKTOWN: This is another match moved, but from Waterloo to Glenwood. Blacktown will have some size, but Harlequins have class. I'm expecting a Harlequins win here. Keep an eye out for the fleet-footed, headgear-wearing fullback from Harlequins, Mitchell Gibbs. Has history in Division 2. Probably keen for a good showing. Harlequins by 12.
LINDFIELD vs RAPTORS: Things not looking good out in Raptor land. Not sure if this fixture will go ahead. I'm guessing Lindfield get the 28-0 win.

 

[Waterloo_Ned]

Well I have spoken to someone in the Subbies Office today and the news is not good. Lets say the Subbies board feel they have been lied to and deceived by many clubs. I can not confirm what is happening but if you turn on Lindfield and Raptors at 3.15pm on Couch TV tomorrow you will be very surprised what is happening. Lets just say it is a dark day for Subbies. At this point I think the only answer is to delay the competition for 5 weeks. What is happening can not go on and it is not fair on so many people.

 

[WoodyWoodsman]

DIVISION 4
HARBOUR vs CANTERBURY: Harbour fancy themselves as title favourites, but pearls are created under pressure and they don't know it. Do they even have a second grade team? Canterbury have been hard hit by the weather with Wills Ground still a swamp. Conditioning wins this one Harbour by 23 points.
HAC vs REDFIELD: HAC with diminishing numbers but coach Berghoffer is back. Redfield with the normal flair and grit. Redfield to start the season right by 13.
CHATSWOOD vs MAC UNI: Mac Uni with the Fijian flair this year in 1s. Chatswood to struggle with the endless recycle. Mac Uni by 40 and flexing their premiership muscle.
SAVERS vs RENEGADES: Savers at home will be too good. Tough roadtrip for the Renegades to start. Savers by 30.
EPPING vs MERRYLANDS: Word from the Rams camp is that COVID has ripped through the core of the Rams with 15-20 players unavailable. The Rams recruitment has been strong and this should see them tame the Wolves. Rams with the ultimate flex, missing top line players and winning by 3.
NORTHERN SAINTS vs BYE: Tough first gig for the Saints. The bye will push them to the edge of the volcano. Saints by 28.

 

[Mangoman]

Alot is going to come out after this weekend. There are a lot of clubs in trouble.

Western Raptors only fielding two grades this week, whereas Lindfield have five and are now sending three to Epping.
Beecroft, Barker and Old Ignatians all unable to field third or fourth grade.

Two clubs have pulled out of the Division 5 competition.

Hawkesbury Ag do not have enough players to cover their two grades.

The Subbies office have worked hard to put things together, only for clubs to let them down.

This is where the “regional” idea shines because if a club is lacking numbers, they don’t have a minimum requirement to fill. Regrade the competition and all of a sudden the lack of numbers for Hawkesbury Ag isn’t a problem anymore because they only have to field 1 team for the season. All the other clubs that draw their 2nd grade aren’t put out with a Bye and instead with a regrade, another team is added in their place.

Just seems that especially with the way Div 2 is shaping up (i.e. 60% of the clubs can’t field the 4 grades and colts) and the way that Div 1 always seems to have a struggle filling all 5 grades, it’s an adapt or perish scenario for Subbies.

 

[Mangoman]

Well I have spoken to someone in the Subbies Office today and the news is not good. Lets say the Subbies board feel they have been lied to and deceived by many clubs. I can not confirm what is happening but if you turn on Lindfield and Raptors at 3.15pm on Couch TV tomorrow you will be very surprised what is happening. Lets just say it is a dark day for Subbies. At this point I think the only answer is to delay the competition for 5 weeks. What is happening can not go on and it is not fair on so many people.

Also for those of us without a Cluch subscription or who are otherwise occupied, do you mind spilling the beans on what is meant to occur exactly?

 

[WoodyWoodsman]

If you take a little bit of what Ned said and a little
But of my prediction surely it’s there.

 

[En Gage]

The rumour mill tells me that the Rams are on the cusp of being back in div 2 due to the fibs told by others. Sanity prevails.

 

[Pfitzy]

Two clubs have pulled out of the Division 5 competition.

Which two?

 

[Ref_Ted]

Updated status from rugby.net.au

Div 2
Sydney Harlequins v Blacktown - MOVED to Alwyn Lindfield Res, Glenwood
Hawk Valley v Newport - MOVED to Deerubbin Park, Windsor
Lindfield v Western Raptors - CANCELLED

Div 4
Chatswood v Mac Uni - MOVED to Tantallon Oval, Lane Cove
Epping v Merrylands - MOVED to Ryde Park, Ryde
Canterbury v Syd Harbour - MOVED to Lyne Park, Rose Bay

Div 5
King's OB's v Brothers - POSTPONED

 

[Pfitzy]

Tough day at Savers. We were up 5-nil in Second Grade but a couple of slips and they had the pace to finish it off. We had to play the last quarter of the game with 13 as numbers were low and First Grade needed a good start. I played the whole game at prop but we only had myself and the hooker so had to go uncontested.

First Grade was a similar story: lot of reshuffles due to long weekend, and guys playing up who shouldn't really. I played half the game at prop and it was full whack so I'll be a bit sore tomorrow.

Hopefully we've got everyone back for next week to face Epping... or whatever happens there.

 

[Pfitzy]

Our womens 7s team won the Subbies tournament today so that was a bit of good news. Only gave up 12 points across 5 games while scoring 119 themselves.

 

[WoodyWoodsman]

DIVISION 4
HARBOUR vs CANTERBURY: Harbour fancy themselves as title favourites, but pearls are created under pressure and they don't know it. Do they even have a second grade team? Canterbury have been hard hit by the weather with Wills Ground still a swamp. Conditioning wins this one Harbour by 23 points.
HAC vs REDFIELD: HAC with diminishing numbers but coach Berghoffer is back. Redfield with the normal flair and grit. Redfield to start the season right by 13.
CHATSWOOD vs MAC UNI: Mac Uni with the Fijian flair this year in 1s. Chatswood to struggle with the endless recycle. Mac Uni by 40 and flexing their premiership muscle.
SAVERS vs RENEGADES: Savers at home will be too good. Tough roadtrip for the Renegades to start. Savers by 30.
EPPING vs MERRYLANDS: Word from the Rams camp is that COVID has ripped through the core of the Rams with 15-20 players unavailable. The Rams recruitment has been strong and this should see them tame the Wolves. Rams with the ultimate flex, missing top line players and winning by 3.
NORTHERN SAINTS vs BYE: Tough first gig for the Saints. The bye will push them to the edge of the volcano. Saints by 28.

Harbour by 7; Redfield by 17;Mac Uni by 31; Savers by 26; Rams by 2; Saints by 28. 6/6 for the Woodsman

Let's get active with some predictions. The Woodsman's inside knowledge will serve him (me) well here
DIVISION 2
BEECROFT vs HILLS: A high turnover of players at Yattenden Oval won't stop the Matt Brinnand-led Hills lads from securing an impressive first round victory over the Lions. With his dazzling red hair, I'd expect Brinnand to score a brace here with his radar boot doing the damage. Hills by 12.
UNSW vs BRIARS: You look through the Uni side and you see some new names, but what they bring is raw talent. It's a tough road trip to David Phillips so the smart money is on the Uni boys to romp home here. Uni by 30.
HAWKESBURY VALLEY vs NEWPORT: The game has been moved to the old goat track, Deerubbin. But Newport, without Hunters, St Pats and Epping in the way, will fancy themselves as title favourites. Too much class in Newport, while the Tully boys will keep Valley in the game, the relentlessness of the Breakers will win through. Newport by 6 (MATCH OF THE ROUND)
OLD BARKER vs OLD IGNATIANS: I'll take Iggies because Barker shouldn't be in this division. Iggies by I don't care.
HARLEQUINS vs BLACKTOWN: This is another match moved, but from Waterloo to Glenwood. Blacktown will have some size, but Harlequins have class. I'm expecting a Harlequins win here. Keep an eye out for the fleet-footed, headgear-wearing fullback from Harlequins, Mitchell Gibbs. Has history in Division 2. Probably keen for a good showing. Harlequins by 12.
LINDFIELD vs RAPTORS: Things not looking good out in Raptor land. Not sure if this fixture will go ahead. I'm guessing Lindfield get the 28-0 win.

Hills by 33; Uni by 57; Newport by 9; Barker by 29; Harlequins by 20; Lindfield by 28. 5/6 for the Woodsman

 

[GD_Maccabi]

The reason I did all this was because I get the feeling like if it was more localised, clubs like Maccabi, Clovelly, Engadine, Dundas Valley, Fairvale etc. (smaller clubs, based in predominantly League areas where games are all played within approx. 20 mins of your home ground) wouldn't have completely folded.

Clubs like Campbelltown and Hornsby would have left for other competitions where they aren't forced to field certain amounts of grades and playing across 3/4 of Sydney each Saturday.

Clubs like Brothers, Kings, Oatley etc. wouldn't struggle to find players. All 3 of those clubs fielded 4 or more senior grades in 2015, now all 3 have 1 senior grade.

Just food for thought...rugby is the only major sport that is run across the entire Sydney basin at an amateur level. Most other sports play localised competitions and are far more successful as a result (i.e. league play within districts no larger than a 20 min drive from the home field, soccer play within associations again usually no more than a 20 min drive from the home field).

Just for the record, Maccabi haven't folded - we're playing Halligan only this year because we leave for a competition in Israel in July and half of the team isn't coming back until after the season ends, so it didn't seem fair to leave a competition in the lurch for the back half of the season. We are planning to be back in Div 5/6 next year.

 

[Pfitzy]

Just for the record, Maccabi haven't folded - we're playing Halligan only this year because we leave for a competition in Israel in July and half of the team isn't coming back until after the season ends, so it didn't seem fair to leave a competition in the lurch for the back half of the season. We are planning to be back in Div 5/6 next year.

Similar story for convicts who have Bingham cup later in the year, I believe.

 

[GD_Maccabi]

Similar story for convicts who have Bingham cup later in the year, I believe.

This is my understanding also.

 

[WoodyWoodsman]

Lane Cove gone

 

[Pfitzy]

Lane Cove gone

Last I checked, doing their best to maintain Halligan cup. They didn't want to create an issue by being on the edge of a game every week.

Tantallon lost a bit of its soul when the old stand was torn down, and it has been the same blokes trying to keep things going in a changing environment the last few years.

 

[Waterloo_Ned]

Saturday was interesting in Division 2. We had a late shift to Blacktown but still travelled well. Blacktown stacked their 3s with whoever was there (Including a former Clark Medalist from 2 years ago Joshua Sika). They got the bacon in 3s but we we did them comfortably in 1s and 2s, as their player quality didn't really improve through the day. We put 50 on in 2s and then raced out to a 34-0 lead in 1st Grade with our width exposing a slower/bigger Blacktown side before they scored a few late. They also played short in colts so hopefully that is not a sign of things to come.

Elsewhere in Division 2 and the big question is are UNSW really good or are Briars in for another horror year? UNSW, Hills, Barker and Newport all made pretty big statements to their 'Division 3' little brothers on the opening day, showing last years Division 3 clubs that the step up may be bigger than they thought.