Sydney Subbies 2024

[Pfitzy]

Division 4 enters Round 14 with a few things known, and a few things yet to be revealed....

Let's start with Grose Cup 2nd Grade, where the finalists looked to be determined.

53 - Raptors
50 - Canterbury*
45 - Hornsby*
32 - Renegades

Next down is Kings on 20, so they can't make it.

Raptors have Kings at Mittigar so that looks like 5 points for the home team, sending them to 58.
Berries have Chatswood at home for double points, so my feeling is we chalk up 10 there to seal the minor premiership at 60.
Hornsby have a midweek game against Chatswood TBC, and go over to Wakehurst on Saturday. That is probably 8-10 points to finish in third.
Renegades have Redfield (location TBC), the result of which isn't relevant to finals but could be valuable momentum for us,

Unfortunately we've seen multiple forfeits from Redfield, Wakehurst, and Kings, with Chatswood also having 1 earlier this year due to flu season. So there might not be as many games as scheduled.

1 Canterbury (60)
2 Raptors (58)
3 Hornsby (55)
4 Renegades (36)

Bit of a gap from the top 3 in all reality, due mainly to our inconsistency and lack of training time together. Hopefully we can win a minor semifinal on raw talent, but Canterbury are hard to go past for raw talent across the whole season, dropping 2 games despite apparently not training at all

 

[Pfitzy]

Division 4 McLean Cup still has a few twists in the tale with potentially 6 teams in the hunt:

57 Raptors
55 Hornsby*
38 Renegades
33 Wakehurst
25 Chatswood*
23 Canterbury*

Raptors should take care of Kings to move to 62 and the minor premiership.
Hornsby have a midweek game against Chatswood and R14 at Wakehurst, which in total is probably worth 10 points.
Renegades have Redfield this week. Getting 1BP probably makes sure we can finish no worse then 4th. A draw or better locks up 3rd spot.

Looking at the battle for the 4th spot, in order of elimination:

Canterbury have a double points game against Chatswood. However, even if they take a BP win from that for 10 points, they finish even with Wakehurst on 33, and Comp Rules say most wins is the first tie breaker. Wakehurst have 7 wins and Canterbury could only get to 6. Therefore Berries can't qualify into top 4 (unless Wakehurst forfeit R14).

Chatswood have a midweek game against Hornsby, which would be difficult to organise at this stage, and more difficult to win. However they need to get something going to avoid losing points for a forfeit bc if they win with a BP at Wills, they end up on 35. Losing 2 points for a forfeit makes that 33 which means they finish below Wakehurst on wins.

Wakehurst can move to 3rd if A) Renegades lose to Redfield with no BP; and B) Wakehurst beat Hornsby with a BP. At this stage it is more likely they'll finish in 4th if Chatswood can't beat Berries with a BP.

Prediction:
1 Hornsby (65)
2 Raptors (62)
3 Renegades (43)
4 Wakehurst (33)
5 Canterbury (33)
6 Chatswood (27)
That R14 clash at Wills between those two is going to be must-watch TV.

Club Championship will be extremely close between Raptors and Hornsby. I think on the basis of having a game in hand, Hornsby sneak it.

 

[SubbiesSoftie]

The Breakers have clinched the Div 2 CCs.

They now host St Pats at the Portress with Pats needing to win 1sts with a bonus point and have Hills beat Briars and deny them a BP to go thru.

2nds and 3rds are for minor premierships and a vital top 2 finish in 3s.

A big day awaits.

Yep correct St Pat's 1st grade hopes are extremely slim. If I have read the rules correctly, a bonus point win will get them into the finals regardless of other results as UNSW don't have a game.
Sure to be a great day at Newport!

 

[TheBigArvo]

Interesting to see if anything comes of the scuffle at the end of the Pats Uni game. Looked to be at least a few punches thrown after some of the Uni Players gave it to the Pats crowd. Could be some nervous guys from both sides in the lead up to some big games.
Beecroft have to be liking there chances of qualifying, playing the bottom ranked Petersham. A bonus point win puts Beecroft above Uni on the table and qualifies them unless both Pats and Briars win

 

[The Ghost of Bernie]

And in Colts: Knox blanking LCOIRFC 40-zip

They're 1 and 2 on the table!

Didn't see much of the game but Knox Colts are a quality side. LCOI missing several key players which didn't help.

 

[The Ghost of Bernie]

In other Div 3 results I found interesting:

Irish blanking Oysters 69-0

LCOIRF getting a draw with Knox having forfeited 2s

Bit of a catch 22 situation with Tantallon Oval.
Rugba League had booked the morning and a 5pm game under lights. With the overnight and morning rain whether or not we'd get to use the ground for our rescheduled Heritage Day was up in the air. Numbers were doable for LCOI 2nds but to appease the council and reduce wear on an already marginally ground 2nds were forfeited so that only Colts and 1st would be played. After players and Subbies were notified and plans set in place to play at Tantallon the Council closed the ground.....Games then transferred to Ryde Oval.

Massive improvement from LCOI's first round clash with Knox. Defence has improved out of site. Big effort from Knox to have backed up from Thursday night against Quins. For LCOI, it's the third game in a row that we could of won and although disappointed not to get the win, as mentioned the competitiveness comparison with the start of the year is like chalk and cheese.

 

[Prodigy]

Final Round throwing up some great stories in Division 2.

Firstly, congratulations to Newport clinching the Club Championship. A very fit unit of lads running around. Well done on your wins in 2s and 3s.

Barraclough: Newport guaranteed to claim the minor premiership. Hills and Briars battle it out with the winner guaranteed in and the loser hoping results go their way or they can pick up two bonus points. UNSW waiting to see what happens. St Pats needing the BP win at Newport in the toughest road trip in Subbies. Newport wont forget that Pats were sprouting their dominance over the division at the start of the year. Beecroft needing a BP win over a resurgent Petersham, who despite losing last start scored 48 points.
My prediction: 1. Newport; 2. Hills; 3. Briars; 4. Beecroft; 5. UNSW; 6. St Pats; 7. Petersham
Stockdale: Newport and St Pats battle it out for the minor premiership. UNSW finish third regardless of their result against Epping, however, the Rams need a win to secure fourth place (game is for double points). Petersham will look to dominate Beecroft, secure the BP and hope the other result goes their way. Hills and Briars playing for pride.
My prediction: 1. Newport; 2. St Pats; 3. UNSW; 4. Epping; 5. Petersham; 6. Hills; 7. Beecroft; 8. Briars
Robertson (Colts): Again a top of the table clash between Newport and Pats, however, Pats have secured the minor premiership. UNSW play HH2 with a win locking 3rd place; Petersham are locked into semis but will want to prove it against Beecroft. Colleagues II and Briars playing to avoid the bottom of the table
My prediction: 1. St Pats; 2. Newport; 3. UNSW; 4. Petersham; 5. Beecroft; 6. Hunters Hill 2; 7. Briars; 8. Colleagues 2
Blunt: Another minor premiership battle between Newport and St Pats. Petersham with the bye are locked into third. UNSW have fourth place locked down.
My prediction: 1. Newport; 2. St Pats; 3. Petersham; 4. UNSW; 5. Hills; 6. Epping; 7. Briars
Richardson: Top of the table clash at Porter, however, Pats have the minor premiership. Second place is up for grabs if Newport lose and don't collect any BP. An Epping win over UNSW will see them leapfrog the Breakers. Briars will be hoping for a Rams win and a win themselves over Hills. Interestingly though, UNSW have played an extra game in this comp.
My prediction: 1. St Pats; 2. Epping; 3. Newport; 4. Briars; 5. UNSW; 6. Hills; 7. Petersham
Good luck to all teams involved. Division 2 has been a great competition. Well done to the Breakers who will no doubt be looking forward to the challenge of Division 1 next year.

 

[Prodigy]

Final round in Division 3 throws up some spice as well. Three clubs genuinely in contention for the club championship with Knox ahead by 30 and 46 over Merrylands and Sydney Irish, respectively.
Clark: Merrylands travel to Knox with the minor premiership on their mind. A win here could double down their minor premiership and club championship. Irish travel to Valley, which is by no means a guaranteed win. Harbour should be too good for Barker, locking in third place. Quins, after forfeiting to Merrylands and then posting a pic to their socials of the players enjoying a beer at the pub, will look for a pride win over LCOi.
My prediction: 1. Merrylands; 2. Irish; 3. Harbour; 4. Knox; 5. Valley; 6. Harlequins; 7. LCOI; 8. Barker
Farrant: Irish probably will be too good for Valley to lock down top spot, however, Valley have secured their post season. Knox will look to knock off Merrylands to secure the club championship. Harbour , Baker, Harlequins and LCOI, playing for pride, although the fixture between Quins and LCOI might be a game of cat and mouse to see who forfeits first.
My prediction: 1. Irish; 2. Merrylands; 3. Knox; 4. Valley; 5. Harbour; 6. Barker; 7. Harlequins; 8. LCOI
Nicholson: Knox, out and out minor premiers and looking for an undefeateed season, should do the job on Chatswood. LCOI should be too much for Wakehurst but will want those numbers back in a hurry to secure second. Easts, I mean Harbour, will be too much for a gallant Mac Uni and Hawkesbury Valley will lap the trying Brothers.
My prediction: 1. Knox; 2. LCOI; 3. Easts Harbour; 4. Balley; 5. Wakehurst; 6. Chatswood; 7. Mac Uni; 8. Brothers

I think Knox win second grade and colts, and that's enough for them to secure the Division 3 club championship. After Colts, they will be ahead by 70; a win in second grade puts them up by 118, but Merrylands win first grade with the bonus point and miss the CC by a measly 8 points.

 

[The Waverley Walrus]

 

[21mm]

Final Round throwing up some great stories in Division 2.

Firstly, congratulations to Newport clinching the Club Championship. A very fit unit of lads running around. Well done on your wins in 2s and 3s.

Barraclough: Newport guaranteed to claim the minor premiership. Hills and Briars battle it out with the winner guaranteed in and the loser hoping results go their way or they can pick up two bonus points. UNSW waiting to see what happens. St Pats needing the BP win at Newport in the toughest road trip in Subbies. Newport wont forget that Pats were sprouting their dominance over the division at the start of the year. Beecroft needing a BP win over a resurgent Petersham, who despite losing last start scored 48 points.
My prediction: 1. Newport; 2. Hills; 3. Briars; 4. Beecroft; 5. UNSW; 6. St Pats; 7. Petersham

 

[Champagne Rugby]

S

Final Round throwing up some great stories in Division 2.

Robertson (Colts): Again a top of the table clash between Newport and Pats, however, Pats have secured the minor premiership. UNSW play HH2 with a win locking 3rd place; Petersham are locked into semis but will want to prove it against Beecroft. Colleagues II and Briars playing to avoid the bottom of the table
My prediction: 1. St Pats; 2. Newport; 3. UNSW; 4. Petersham; 5. Beecroft; 6. Hunters Hill 2; 7. Briars; 8. Colleagues 2

Beecroft can overtake Petersham for 4th place. Petersham (4th) are 7 points ahead of Beecroft on (5th), but Beecroft has an extra game in hand against colleagues II. If Beecroft win both games they would likely swap places.

 

[rugby-OG]

are the old iggy boys in this leaague

 

[The Ghost of Bernie]

are the old iggy boys in this leaague

Yes mate, Division 3. Merged this year with Lane Cove RFC and are based at Tantallon Oval Lane Cove.

 

[Eastcoast]

View attachment 20062

You have to love when receipts are kept. Saw the end of the UNSW and St Pats game. Funny how one team can give it for 80 minutes but cant take it when they drop more points in the top grade.

I say that knowing that Lindfield have kept a few receipts over mine over the year.

Great week in Div 1 again, and some very poor tipping. Looking forward to a cracking final few weeks with the top 4 taking shape now. Lindfield proving they can stick with you all game and pull away late. Colleagues revival after relegation chat. Blue Mountains doing enough to keep winning although not as comprehensive as the start of the year. Tough loss at HH, but the loss that was needed heading into a tough finals campaign.

 

[parkfootyenthusiast2]

More Div 3 Dribble - Round 13 Predictions:

With the top 4 (and both major and minor semi-finals) essentially squared away, will be see some teams rest players or start rolling benches out earlier to test some emergency combinations?

Sydney Harlequins (5) at Merrylands (1): With the Quinns fresh off a contention ending loss last night having to travel out to Holroyd on one and a half days rest will be the last thing on their wishlist. A rested and finals focused Merrylands will be looking for a clinical, polished performance and I see them getting it. Dion Amosa, Miti Malo and Dan Lelevaga the trio to watch here, all have been top tier all year. Merrylands by 20.

Sydney Harbour (3) at Sydney Irish (2): Game of the round this week, not a lot to play for given the table but this will serve as a great litmus test for both teams. The technically brilliant Irish vs the high-flying Harbour, styles make fights, and Irish were far too good last time out against Harbour on the road. For that reason, I'll take Irish at home, though I think Harbour will like the springiness of the astro. Irish by 8.

Knox (4) at Lane Cove Old Ignations (7): A real trap game on paper for Knox. LCOI have found form recently, going down to Harbour by 3 and Valley by 2, whilst Knox has been flying high, but are coming off a Thursday nighter, short players and not a whole lot to play for this week.. plus LCOI make their triumphant return to from all accounts a very well fenced Tantallon. I'll play safe here but dont be surprised if this goes the other way. Knox by 7.

Hawkesbury Valley (6) at Old Barker (8): A bit of a nothing affair on paper, but Barker will have a bit more to play for trying to avoid the spoon and peacocking a little bit for the more diversified Ladies Day crowd, so I'll pick against the grain for them to get the job done at home. Barker by 5.

Yours in the grounds feeling like concrete at the moment,
PFE

Yeesh what a mess. 2.5/4.

Sydney Harlequins 0 forfeited to Merrylands 28: Tough having to back up from the midweek makeup games but this is a bad look for the Quinns who couldnt even coddle together 15 to get one grade out there vs Merrylands. Rumours of them posting the team at the pub on Saturday night club socials not helping them too much either... Looks like they're not planning a forfeit against a lower ranked LCOI this week! A fresh Merrylands go on the road to a wounded Knox for Ladies Day with the club championship on the line this week, cinema!

Sydney Irish 69 def. Sydney Harbour 0: That litmus test I was talking about? Yeah that went one way fast. Harbour were without their skipper and lost their talented 10 and 15 early but this one got ugly fast. Highlights a real concern around depth for Harbour, whilst Irish looked slick 1-15 and will be a real front runner heading into finals.

Knox 26 drew LCOI 26: I did say this one would be close, 2 day turnaround for Knox who looked like they named a bunch of second graders in their side whilst Iggies continue their wet sail run home, turning out a few new faces in their Lane Cove heritage jerseys this week. LCOI went up early before Knox came steaming home. LCOI too good over the ball late, turning Knox away time and time again to force a frustrating draw. Worrying signs for them heading into finals, whilst the joint venture avoids the spoon in their inaugural season.

Hawkesbury Valley 43 def. Old Barker 10: Well, there goes that upset prediction. Can't be too surprised, story of Valleys season, a side that has looked great at times and awful at others. They will strive for consistency next year to take that next step. A great penultimate week for them, whilst Barker all but ensures the spoon in what could be a death blow for the club. They'll need to re-establish a colts connection with the school, clubs like them, Knox and Iggies thrive off a strong colts outfit and the absence of them this year for Barker was evident across the club.

 

[parkfootyenthusiast2]

Interesting to see if anything comes of the scuffle at the end of the Pats Uni game. Looked to be at least a few punches thrown after some of the Uni Players gave it to the Pats crowd. Could be some nervous guys from both sides in the lead up to some big games.

Pats bloke throwing them at a guy who was walking towards him with his arm extended for a handshake was a bit low brow..

 

[Northies]

Pats bloke throwing them at a guy who was walking towards him with his arm extended for a handshake was a bit low brow..

Left out the bit where he flipped off the Pats fans immediately prior

 

[Prodigy]

Left out the bit where he flipped off the Pats fans immediately prior

Not sure the judiciary will be concerned with that.

 

[Bismarck12345]

Left out the bit where he flipped off the Pats fans immediately prior

Think assaulting someone is on a different level to a rude gesture.

 

[Crashy]

Jeez throwing a few haymakers in a rugby game is now assault? Whats happened to this world.
imagine what the punches they throw in jail rugby are called- attempted murder?