2007 VAWDON CUP ROUND 8 WRAP
Round Eight of the 32nd Annual Vawdon Cup was played at the Bankstown and Tempe venues on Friday 7 September 2007.
Sydney’s skies opened up to saturate combatants in the Men’s and Women’s Premier League who battled the difficult conditions to produce quality touch football in key games across the divisions.
The round was punctuated by a number of authoritive performances from the competition’s big guns who consolidated their positions at the top of the table, whilst the battle for a final four berth intensified for the teams still in contention.
In the Men’s Premier League division, 2006 Vawdon Cup champions the Penrith Panthers shored up their semi-final hopes with a convincing 8-4 victory over their closest rivals on the ladder, the Cronulla Sharks at 7.00pm at Bankstown.
The premiers clicked into gear to produce a performance that smacked of desperation and desire, and the significance of the occasion brought out the best in the Panthers.
The Cronulla Sharks were in considerable pain post game, disappointed with their meek second half surrender that has potentially cost them a semi-final appearance in the 2007 Vawdon Cup finals series.
Penrith came out full of running from the opening whistle, and with all guns blazing, skipped out to a 3-1 lead at half time.
Cronulla, knowing they needed to lift after an impassioned half time plea from Coach Tony Trad, conjured the first touchdown after the break to only be down 3-2 with a lot of minutes left to play on the clock.
Rival fans braced themselves for what was expected to be a battle to the death for the remainder of the game for the prized final spot in the semi-final line-up.
Inexplicably, the Sharkies didn’t aim up, and Penrith handled the situation best, lifting several gears to post four unanswered touchdowns for a 7-2 lead.
Cronulla players looked as happy as a worm going fishing when they finally nabbed a couple of consolation touchdowns to make the score 7-4.
The Panthers signed off on a dominant performance when they completed the scoring in the shadows of full time to record a confidence boosting 8-4 triumph that now positions them well to claim the final berth in the semi-final race.
Veteran Chris Benfield, the talented Moylan brothers Ben and Matt, the gifted Adam Springfield, and National 18 Years Youth squad member Dave Farkas were amongst the Panthers best in a great team performance that could be the turning point in the quest for consistency for the Premiers in 2007.
For Cronulla, the evergreen Phil Jarrett, Captain Robbie Brien, and birthday boy Matt Tope tried hard, but had little to celebrate with the loss now creating a “must win” situation this Friday night when the boys form the Shire take on the Canterbury Bulldogs outfit going better than Brett Stewart at Brookie on a Saturday night.
In the 8.40pm game at Bankstown, the Hornsby Lions consolidated third spot on the ladder with a hard fought 5-3 win over the gutsy Parramatta Eels.
Parramatta got away to the best possible start, scoring in the first set of six for a 1-0 lead.
The Eels joy was to be short lived however, as Hornsby replied with a touchdown of their own to square the ledger at 1-1.
Ball control was not great, as was to be expected given the torrential rain that had bucketed down, but both teams were guilty of pushing passes unnecessarily in an error riddled first half.
The silver lining in the storm cloud that threatened to destroy the contest was the performance of Hornsby’s “Holy Trinity” - Dylan Hennessey and John and Maurice Kennedy who bankrolled the Young Lions effort.
The fleet of foot of the Kennedy twins had the Parramatta defenders resembling bears on roller-skates, slipping and sliding all over the scoreline in the wet conditions.
Hennessey danced on the five-metre line to torment the Eels in another outstanding display of footwork and guile that stamps this young man as a future superstar of the sport.
Hornsby went to the break 4-1 up and very much in control of the contest.
Parramatta coach Glen Fitzgerald rallied his troops in the interval, and his Churchilian half time speech paid immediate dividends with the Eels improving their ball retention and playing out their sets.
The Lions went on to a record a 5-3 victory, with the Eel producing an improved second half performance, but unfortunately it was too little, too late.
The Eels effort was indicative of their 2007 season, playing in patches, but lacking the consistency to finish off games with sustained periods of quality to ensure victory.
Parramatta was best served again by 2007 Australian Men’s Open star Jamie Stowe, Jye Malcolm, and the big hearted Dean”Pumper” Wilbow, who returned to spearhead the Eels just one week after his mother sadly passed away.
The bookies have posted the “no more bets” sign on competition pacesetters the Canterbury Bulldogs chances of annexing the 2007 premiership.
Wests, Hornsby, Penrith, and Cronulla will still be framing their chances to claim the coveted crown, but will need to overcome a confident Doggies machine that continues to build week by week into an irresistible force that shows no sign of losing focus or form.
The Doggies look to be on track for the minor premiership with another emphatic display with a 10-3 drubbing of the under strength Manly Sea Eagles at Tempe at 8.40pm on Friday night.
The Dogs had rattled up a 6-2 lead at the break, courtesy of a purple patch of form by Doggies winger Nick “Midas” Athas who was hit up for his predictions for the Gold Lotto numbers Saturday after his first three touches resulted in a double to himself and the construction of a touchdown to put the Doggies up 3-0 in quick time.
Fellow winger Matt Bird was also dominant in attack creating a couple of touchdowns himself and making Top Dog Garry Sonda take a number for use of the Footy in the first half.
Despite fielding an eight man team for the second successive week, The Sea Eagles ran enthusiastically with a core group of youngsters led by 15 year-olds Sam Brisby and Daniel Chitty, and debutants Scott Bradley and Blake Vendervolde playing soundly and relishing their opportunity in the top grade.
Paul Dwyer, star turn Steve Roberts, and the (self proclaimed) “underrated” Daniel Walsh, were Canterbury’s best players in another impressive performance from the pound puppies.
In the late night feature match at 9.30pm at Tempe, 2006 State Cup champions Wests Magpies overcame a determined first half effort from the Eastern Suburbs Roosters to post a 6-2 victory to consolidate second spot on the ladder with two rounds to play.
The Roosters bounced out the barriers better than “The Diva” on Cup Day to race to a 2-0 lead in the early exchanges.
Easts Christian Frost and 2007 Australian Mixed 30s World Cup lynchpin Manu Wakely dominated early to put the Magpies and the punters on notice that the mud larking Roosters were reveling in the conditions.
It took the Magpies some time to get into the game, but the old firm of Australian Men’s Open World Cup kings Jason Stanton and Daniel “The raging bull” Rushworth combined to bring composure to the 2006 State Cup champions.
Rushworth worked well with the consistent Aaron Jones to engineer two touchdowns that got the black and whites rolling.
A touchdown against the run of play just before oranges gave Wests a sketchy 3-2 lead at the intermission.
During the break the rain intensified along with West’s motivation to lift their second half effort and the Wests boys came out a different team full of running.
The Magpies constructed three unanswered touchdowns in a second half that was full of merit, given the difficult conditions.
Stanton and Rushworth were asking more questions of the Roosters defence than Ed Phillips does in fast money on Temptation, and Penrith recruit Jason Yee had his best game of the season with a dominant second half display that frameworked the Magpies victory.
Easts youngsters Dave Maher, Ken Corbett, and winger Elijah Van Der Kwast who has safer hands than Mark Waugh at second slip, had great games for the Roosters who will now look to finish off their 2007 season with some strong performances to build their 2007 NSWTA State Cup campaign around.
In Women’s Premier League action, 2006 Premiers Easts Roosters, currently second on the ladder, produced a better all round performance to bolster their title aspirations with a 3-1 victory over third placed Western Suburbs Magpies in the 7.00pm clash at Tempe.
This game shaped as a pivotal contest with both teams needing the win to push their big game bonafides for the business end of the season.
The two teams met in an intense encounter earlier in the season and this was an eagerly awaited rematch between two of the competition’s best-credentialed teams.
The game was a war of attrition for the first 15 minutes of the half before the Roosters found the chink in the West’s armour to score back to back touchdowns in the final five minutes of the first half to take a 2-0 lead into the break.
Wests were without their game breaker Bo De la Cruz, but still had plenty of talent on the park and the impressive Nola Campbell threw a pinpoint cut out to Australian Women’s Open star Stacey Lapham who threw a magic flick pass to Campbell who backed up on the inside to score off the tap-off to put the Magpies back in the contest at 2-1 down.
The touchdown stirred Easts into action, and the Roosters focused on securing good field position with the ball in hand and dominating in defence.
The concerted defensive pressure, led by Stephanie Sorrensen and Nadina Teskera, bankrolled Easts efforts in the second stanza.
Easts Captain Melissa Pitfield produced the game breaking play, scoring through the Wests middle to give the Roosters a 3-1 lead with little time remaining.
Pitfield, and fellow Australian Women’s Open legend, Kristy Judd dominated proceedings for a determined Easts outfit who stepped up to the plate to produce the well rounded performance they have been searching for all season.
National 20 Years Mixed Squad member Megan Campbell and Peta O’Connor also played well for the defending Vawdon Cup champions.
Wests never stopped trying with Stacey Lapham, Nola Campbell, Kim Fretus, and Holly Shorter making every effort to lift the Magpies who will regroup and gear up for the finals series with two round games remaining.
The Cronulla Sharks kept their semi-final aspirations alive with a 5-2 defeat of the Penrith Panthers at 7.50pm at Bankstown.
It was all hands on deck for the Sharkies who were down many of their regular players on Friday night and took a ten-player roster into the contest.
Wingers Georgia Piggott and Jaclyn Morris played the entire game without a substitution to ease the workload on their grateful teammates, who in the end, worked together to handle the tricky weather conditions with aplomb by producing a composed effort across the board.
The Sharkies scored first after just four minutes before the youthful Panthers hit back through a set play finished off with a Lisa Clarke long ball to Rebecca Hannon who hit the gap to dot down for a 1-1 scoreline.
Cronulla then netted back-to-back touchdowns to go 3-1 up at half time.
After the break the Sharkies opened up with two quick touchdowns to race to a 5-1 lead.
The Panthers needed to stop the rot, and talented youngster Haylee ‘Hendo” Henderson stepped up to the plate. Henderson burst out of acting half to create a touchdown for winger Katrina Howley to make the score 5-2 at full time.
Cronulla winger Georgia Piggott was best on ground for the Sharkies with young middle Jenna “Squirt” Cell showing great composure in the trenches for the Shire girls who have now maintained an even footing with Wollongong going into the last two rounds in the battle for fourth spot with the “Young Divas”.
Kasey Garner and Haylee Henderson were the Panthers best in an improved showing that will hold the young Panthers line-up in good stead for the remainder of the season.
The Canterbury Bulldogs put another brick in the wall in their premiership bid for 2007 with a comfortable 6-2 win over the Wollongong Devils at Tempe at 7.50pm.
The competition’s high flyers were always in control and produced some brilliant play, making a mockery of the difficult weather conditions.
The rampant Doggies put the bite on the unsuspecting Wollongong combination that had no answer to the confident ball play of the undefeated blue and whites.
Canterbury went to the break comfortable 6-0 leaders.
The Young Divas were cheering for the half time hooter to sound to call a halt to the first half carnage so that they could take stock and regain their composure for an improved second half showing.
The wounds were treated in the break and the Devils were determined to not leak any more points in the second half.
Wollongong collected two second half touchdowns out wide after some good lead up work from the inform Jess Mc Call and Nicole ‘Captain Serro’ Beck who blitzed the Dogs from acting half to create touchdowns for their wingers.
The ‘Gong girls addressed their defensive issues in the second half, but the fat lady was already tucked up asleep at home, having made her exit from the fields at half-time in the one-sided contest.
For the Dogs, model of consistency Belinda Grech, Aussie Women’s Open gun Claire “Bear” Winchester, and the hard working Tara Prowse were full of running and led the way in a polished performance from the premiership frontrunners.
In the up late game at Bankstown at 9.30pm Manly secured their second win of the season with a tight 2-1 win over the Central Coast Dolphins.
The abysmal weather mirrored less than acceptable handling from both sides in the opening stanza, despite Manly gaining a 1-0 ascendancy at half time.
Both teams were fielding below strength outfits and the lack of combination showed at different times.
The two teams traded touchdowns in the second half before Manly secured the clincher deep into the second half for a 2-1 win.
Rachel Cleave and Chloe Donovan were Manly’s best, whilst Central Coast battled gamely with a nine player roster who gave their all in trying conditions.
Round 9 action in the Vawdon Cup in the Men’s Premier League this Friday 14 September 2007 sees Penrith take on Manly at 7.00pm at Parramatta.
Penrith need to win this game to move a step closer to cementing fourth spot on the ladder and Manly will be trying to bounce back from last week’s heavy defeat at the hands of the Doggies with an improved showing.
Cronulla will be fighting to keep their semi-final aspirations alive when they meet top of the pops Canterbury at Tempe at 7.50pm, whilst Wests will look to keep their momentum going when they take on a Parramatta Eels combination that are capable of causing them some headaches at 8.40pm at Parramatta.
Hornsby will be looking to tune up for the finals with their 9.30pm clash with a spirited Easts combination who will be full of running at Tempe.
In the Women’s Premier League, Cronulla will take on Premiership big guns Canterbury at 7.00pm at Tempe, in a game the Sharks will be desperate to cause an upset in to give them the edge over joint fourth placed Wollongong.
Wests and Manly will clash at 7.50pm at Parramatta, and the Young Divas from Wollongong are in a must win situation against Penrith at Tempe at 7.50pm to keep their semi-final hopes afloat.
2006 Vawdon Cup Premiers Easts Roosters will meet the Central Coast Dolphins at Bankstown at 8.40pm at Tempe in a game the Roosters will want to do well in to continue their build into the finals series.
After this round’s games, teams will be granted a week’s rest as the X-Blades National 18 Years and Under Championships are played in Coffs Harbour from 19- 22 September 2007.
Teams will then resume hostilities for the tenth and final round of fixtures in the 32nd Annual Vawdon Cup on Friday 28 September 2007.
This week’s “Go to Girl” for the Player of the Round in the Women’s Premier League goes to Cronulla’s tireless winger Georgia Piggott who did more kilometers on Friday night than Craig Mottram did in the lead up to the World Athletics Championships.
The Sharkies were down on numbers, so the unselfish winger opted to play the whole game without a substitute, and to her credit, ran harder than anyone and was best on ground in the Shire girls victory.
Normally most wingers night’s can best be summed up in the line from the Prince classic Raspberry Beret, “I was busy doing something close to nothing,” but “40/20” (she plays 40, but should only play 20 minutes) has dispelled that myth forever with her whole hearted display Friday night.
This week’s “Blackest Cat/s” for the Player of the Round in the Men’s Premier Division goes to Hornsby’s brother act, John and Maurice Kennedy.
The 5 metre maestros were simply outstanding in a commanding display in wet conditions against the Eels on Friday night.
The Kennedy twins produced better footwork than Michael Hussey on a dodgy deck in Chenai, and more moves than the Cougar on a big night out at the Cloverly to bamboozle the Eels with their sonic fast feet.
We’ve had the “That’s Mud” award last week, this week it’s the “That’s Love” award and it goes to Canterbury Bulldogs Australian Men’s Open Players Steve Roberts and Garry Sonda for taking time out after their game against Manly on Friday night to talk touch with several young Eagles players who they had just delivered a 10-3 lesson to.
“Devo” (Roberts) and “GS7” (Sonda), along with Canterbury supremo Peter Forrester, offered the under strength club some advice post game that made a world of difference to many of the rookie Sea Eagles who were heartened by the words of encouragement from some of the biggest names in the competition.
Apart from the obligatory “That’s a ridiculously good looking long ball I just threw”, Sonda, the sultan of sledge, was remarkably humble and subdued during the game which left many long time observers concerned that he may be going soft… this theory was quickly dispelled after it was revealed he charged young Sam Brisby a consultancy fee, albeit cut price, for the 30 minutes of advice he dolled out…
Ahhh, “That’s love!!!”
The action will also continue in Round 9 of the Men’s, Women’s, and Mixed 1 & 2, and in Men’s Seniors and Masters divisions of the Vawdon Cup on Friday night.
Thanks to all players and coaches for their input into the Round 8 wrap.
Good luck to all teams and may the force be with you… if not the force, a lightning quick kid with a massive snap will do…
Good luck to all teams for Round 9 of the Vawdon Cup.
