Round Six of the 32nd Annual New South Wales Touch Association’s Vawdon Cup was played at the Tempe and Bankstown venues under threatening Sydney skies on Friday 24 August 2007.
NSWTA Operations Manager Rob “Poppy” Summers phone was running hotter than the Bat phone in the middle of a crime spree in Gotham City as eager players phoned the NSWTA offices on Friday to confirm if fixtures would go ahead after a mostly wet and miserable week in Sydney.
Some better weather Friday meant the all clear signal was eventually given for the Bankstown and Tempe venues and teams got down to business for what proved to be a very close and exciting round of games that has set the scene for some crunch encounters in coming weeks in the respective Premier Divisions.
In Men’s Premier League action at Bankstown at 7.00pm the Parramatta Eels and the Penrith Panthers played out a highly competitive 5-5 draw in the traditional western derby that did not disappoint with both sides digging deep to claim a share of the premiership points.
Parra got off to a flyer scoring in the opening set of six touches, before the Premiers hit back to even the ledger at 1-1.
Penrith quickly snared their second touchdown to go 2-1 up mid way through the half and were looking to get on a roll when the complexion of the game changed to a more physical and spoiling tone that resulted in several forced substitutions and periods of time for members of both outfits.
Against this backdrop, the Eels got the equalizer, and the boys went to the break all square at 2-2.
Spectators thought about sending out some wheelchairs so that the boys could play “Murder ball” properly in the second stanza, but after a scented candle lit half time address, some anti-stress aromatherapy, and backrubs and positive affirmations all round, both teams hit the fields after the break in the mood to put the ill-tempered first half behind them and play some quality touch.
The two highly competitive teams traded touchdowns for the entire second stanza with scores locked at 5-5 when the full-time hooter sounded to call a halt to proceedings.
Veteran Shane Fredericksen made a welcome return to Vawdon Cup duty and Dean “Pumper” Wilbow and Troy Malcolm used their experience to guide the baby Eels around the park in another quality performance from the Parra boys.
Penrith were best served by Chris “Rowdy’ Benfield, Adam Springfield, and Scott and Mitch Buckley who stood up under searching pressure from the Eels.
Both teams, missing several key players, still produced a strong showing and can take a lot out of the game with both combinations still very much in contention for the finals series.
In the 7.50pm clash at Tempe 2006 Vawdon Cup Grand Finalists Canterbury Bulldogs maintained their unbeaten record in season 2007 with a hard fought 5-3 victory over the Easts Roosters.
The rampaging Dogs did not have it all their own way in the early exchanges, and by their own admission, were not as slick and sharp as they had been in previous weeks.
To their credit, Easts got out of the blocks well with Manu Wakely working a “bounce” play close to the line for the Chooks to claim early bragging rights with a 1-0 lead.
The Dogs were stung into action by the early strike from Easts and hit back with a vengeance with three unanswered touchdowns for a 3-1 lead going into the break.
After half time the Dogs put the bite on the Roosters off the tap play with 2007 Australian World Cup Open Mixed tearaway Stevie Roberts putting on a pet play with Australian Men’s Open star Joel Willoughby to take the Doggies out to a 4-1 advantage.
The Dogs then put on another touchdown, before Easts hit back late with a couple of touchdowns for a 5-3 decision at full-time.
Bulldogs king pin Garry Sonda was in masterful form bringing his ‘A’ game to the fore when the Doggies needed it most. “GS7” opened his bag of tricks (and book of key note sledges) to conjure up numerous opportunities that his team finished off gratefully.
Paul Forrester and Stuart Brierty also made solid contributions for the litter, whilst Jarrat Wood and Manu Wakely never stopped trying to lift the Roosters, who forced the Dogs into a grinding game that disrupted the Canterbury flow that had been so evident in the first 6 rounds of the competition.
The Dogs will now go into Friday night’s blockbuster against Hornsby Lions ready to step up, with the lure of a victory ensuring them the coveted number One spot going into the split competition rounds in the run in to the semi-final series.
In another thrilling game, 2006 NSW State Cup Champions Wests Magpies did just enough to repel the previously undefeated Hornsby Lions 6-5 at Bankstown at 8.40pm on Friday night.
The damp surface at Bankstown did not deter the free flowing Magpies who came out full of running to post a 5-2 lead at half time.
The Young Lions were under the pump from the opening whistle with West’s Eddie Farah and Michael Jacono doing the human plough thing through the shell shocked Lions middle who did well to peg back two touchdowns before the break.
Half time couldn’t come quick enough for Lions Coach Terry Cooper who applied the defibrillator to Hornsby’s chances of getting back into the game with a plan that would ensure more expansion with the footy in hand and fleet of foot to make the most of the Lions undeniable advantage in the agility stakes in the second period.
The prodigiously gifted Maurice Kennedy, along with the clever Dave Roberts cut a swathe through the Wests defenders to engineer an astonishing second half revival that saw the Lions rack up three unanswered touchdowns to put the contest on level terms at 5-5 with little time remaining.
The “fat lady” had already left the stadium, reasoning a draw was an appropriate result, as West’s Michael Farhat produced the money play to secure his team the premiership points 6-5 with no time left on the clock.
Former Westmead park touch player Mick Abood, who has had a meteoric rise in the ranks over the last twelve months, and Danny Hamilton contributed strongly to the Lions comeback, whilst Robert Nakhle and Daniel “The Raging Bull” Rushworth were again amongst Wests’ most potent performers.
Hornsby were without key playmaker Dylan Hennessey and his exceptional footwork will be a welcome boost to the Lions as they take on the Dogs in the top of the table clash at Tempe this Friday night.
In the late game at 9.30pm at Tempe the Sharkies got home 4-3 over Manly Sea Eagles in a game of contrasting styles as the heaven’s opened up and drenched the two teams who fought tooth and nail for the premiership points.
Cronulla, with industrious rucking and stout defence, got away to a 2-0 lead in the first ten minutes of the game.
Led strongly by Captain Robbie Brien, and Australian Mixed Open star Matthew Tope, the Shire boys looked to be well in control as they emerged from their half time huddle for the second half.
Manly had other ideas, thanks to some great team touch and two scorching solo runs by lightning quick schoolboy star Travis Shaw who helped the Eagles annex a 3-2 lead mid-way through the second half.
Cronulla steadied, then edged back into the contest, drawing level at 3-3 and the scene was set for a fight to the death for the last ten minutes of the game.
In an old-fashioned arm wrestle, Cronulla’s Matthew Tope delivered on cue the ball that mattered to construct the game-breaking touchdown to give the Sharkies their second win in season 2007 and keep their semi-final aspirations flickering with the 4-3 result.
Evergreen Manly stalwart Jamie Chan, young speed merchant Travis Shaw, and the dangerous Put Berryman were best for a spirited Manly side who caused plenty of havoc for the Sharkies defence with their Kiwi short style method of play.
Robbie Brien, Matty Tope, and Glen Dewit led the way for a Sharkies team that responded well to a mid week training roast from coach Tony Trad who implored his troops to commit themselves fully by leaving it all out on the park to achieve their goals.
In the Women’s Premier League the sold out match of the round between the competition’s big guns, 2006 Premiers Easts Roosters, and 2006 State Cup Champions the Canterbury Bulldogs, proved to be worthy of top billing despite torrential rain that saturated the arena 5 minutes into the contest.
There was no love lost between the traditional rivals as the Dogs edged their way to a 2-1 result over the Roosters.
Like prizefighters, the two heavyweights of Women’s Touch danced around each other searching for the knockout blow that never came in a scrappy first half that was littered with missed opportunities on both sides of the Velodrome.
4 times Australian World Cup Queen Kristy Judd was prominent early for Easts, probing the Canterbury defence and creating a number of opportunities that were thwarted only by last gasp Doggies defence, led well by Aussie Mixed Open World Cup star Belinda Grech.
Australian Women’s Open guns Louise and Claire Winchester, and Kelly “Wood duck” Woods were firing their own bullets, searching for a chink in the Easts defence that held firmly thanks to the efforts of Australian 20 Years Mixed squad member Megan Campbell, and Captain Melissa Pitfield.
On resumption, the mercurial Louise “Squeeze” Winchester cut lose on the 5th touch on a short side snap to gift-wrap a touchdown for sister Claire and break the deadlock for a 1-0 lead.
Kristy Judd and Giselle Martin tried hard to lift the Roosters in the next ten minutes and after going wider, Judd stretched and isolated the Dogs defence, then backed up on the inside to receive a pass to score and put the teams back on level terms at 1-1.
Before the Roosters could breath a sigh of relief at getting back into the contest, the Doggies were back at their throats in the next set peppering the line with Belinda Grech, who was having a wow of a game, splitting Easts on the short side again to link with Kate Fitzsimmons who dotted down for the decisive 2-1 advantage.
The Roosters tried hard to get the leveller, but the Dogs looked in control and played out their last two sets without error as time wound down and Canterbury claimed outright leadership of the competition in 2007.
Belinda Grech, Kelly Woods, and Louise and Claire Winchester set up the Canterbury victory with resolute defence, commitment to driving, and intelligent direction in attack.
East’s Kristy Judd was a constant threat to the Dogs defence, and along with Megan Campbell, did not deserve to be on a losing team.
Easts were without Nadina Teskera, and injured playmaker Amanda Judd who is sure to make a big impression when she returns to the Tri-colours leading into the finals, but regardless the Roosters will be looking to get their game back on track when they meet Manly this Friday night at Tempe.
At Bankstown the Wollongong Wolves recorded a comfortable 8-4 victory over fellow young guns the Penrith Panthers in the Disney Channel sponsored 7.50pm game.
Wollongong were without Elana “Larnz” Vallack and injured National Youth squad members Nicole “Captain Sero” Beck and Amanda Skwarko who took on coaching duties for the night in fine style.
The girls from the ‘Gong got out to a 2-0 lead early with their expansive ball movement and speed around the park causing the Panthers plenty of grief.
To their credit the Panthers clawed their way back on level terms courtesy of touchdowns to 16 year-old debutant Tara “Pup” Boland, and Katrina Howley who iced a good team movement for a 2-2 scoreline after 13 minutes of play.
The “Young Divas” were stung into action and quickly constructed two unanswered touchdowns for a 4-2 lead at the break.
After oranges Wollongong led by Ash ‘Dobbie” Dobbins, the in-form Mel Mc Call, the gifted Amy Regal, Bianca Mounsey, and the silky handling skills of Rachel Beck took the game by the scruff of the neck to post three touchdowns to take the Wolves out to a 7-2 lead.
Penrith stopped the rot with a touchdown to Haylee Henderson, but the ‘Gong girls got another one moments later for an 8-3 advantage.
On the stroke of full time the gifted Rebecca "Muscles” Hannon, celebrating her 21st Birthday, threw a pinpoint long ball to giftwrap a present of her own, giving Tara Boland a double on debut.
Despite the injury toll at the Gong, the win was a confidence boost leading into Friday night’s crucial battle for fourth spot on the ladder with Cronulla.
Cronulla got home 6-5 against a highly competitive Manly Sea Eagles who pushed the more fancied Sharks combination all the way in the 8.40pm clash at Tempe.
Manly bounced out of the barriers to race to a 3-0 lead in the early exchanges.
Some controlled rucking and committed kill defence got the Cronulla camp back in the contest, hitting back with two touchdowns just before half time.
At 3-2 to Manly, the game ebbed and flowed with the two teams trading touchdowns for the entire second half.
Cronulla, led by calm and collected Captain Jo Nelson, edged their way in front in the final minutes of the game to secure the premiership points to keep themselves well and truly in the race for a semi-final berth.
Manly’s Kylie Stewart, Rachel Burns, and Gloria and Edith Berryman played strongly in a great team effort that will steel them for a tough clash with Premiers Easts Friday.
In the late game at Bankstown at 9.30pm Wests recorded a comfortable 7-2 verdict over the Central Coast Dolphins.
Wests began brilliantly racing to a 4-1 lead at half time.
Despite the lights going out at the Bankstown venue at half time delaying the start of the second half, the Magpies illuminated the gloom upon resumption, picking up from where they left off with some slashing touchdowns to totally dominate the Dolphins in the second half.
Wests racked up 3 second stanza touchdowns to the Dolphins 1 in an emphatic display that firmly entrenches the Magpies in third spot on the ladder.
Wests Queen Bee Stacey Lapham was running amok with four bursts from acting half resulting in touchdowns.
The Magpies gifted duo Nicky Albery and Nicole Mc Hugh were outstanding for Wests, whilst Liz Penny weighed in for the Central Coast with a fine game capped off with a solo touchdown full of merit.
Round seven of the 2007 Vawdon Cup continues Friday with games scheduled for Tempe and Bankstown.
The inclement weather’s effect on the playing surface has forced a change of venue with all scheduled games for Parramatta now to be played at Bankstown.
The Men’s Premier League features the Western derby between Penrith and Wests at 7.50pm at Bankstown.
Easts will tackle Manly at Tempe at 7.50m, whilst Cronulla will confront the Eels in a what promises to be an even contest at Bankstown at 8.40pm.
The 9.30pm timeslot at Tempe is a late night thriller with the top of the table Bulldogs facing off against second placed Hornsby Lions, with the return of Dylan Hennessey sure to inspire the Lions boys against the in form Bulldogs and make the punters hedge their bets on a likely winner.
In Women’s Premier League action, Penrith, wearing their Pink headbands to raise awareness and money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation, take on a Western Suburbs team going better than Justine Henin’s backhand in the 7.00pm timeslot at Bankstown.
Premiers Easts will look to bounce back from their last start defeat against a very willing Manly outfit that will not die wondering at Tempe at 7.00pm.
In a game that has attracted enthusiastic money for both teams, the Wollongong Devils match up against the Cronulla Sharks at 7.50pm at Bankstown. These two teams are battling for fourth spot at the moment and this could prove to be a critical contest in the context of each team’s season.
At Tempe at 8.40pm the top of the pops Doggies take on the Central Coast Dolphins in the final fixture to complete the seventh round of the 2007 Vawdon Cup.
This week’s Blackest Cat for the Player of the Round in the Men’s Premier Division goes to Matty “the puppeteer” Tope who was Cronulla’s ambassador of Kwan, producing the big play on cue to secure the 4-3 victory over Manly on Friday night.
This week’s “Go to Girl” for the Player of the Round in the Women’s Premier Division goes to the smiling assassin Belinda Grech for her pivotal short side snipping of the Easts defence in Friday night’s big game to give the Dogs the 2-1 win.
At the end of this round teams will be divided into two playing groups depending on results and finishing order from all completed rounds.
Teams 1-3-5-7 and 2-4-6-8 will play each other over the last three rounds of the competition before the semi-final series begins in earnest.
Games will continue in the other Vawdon Cup divisions in Men’s, Women’s, and Mixed Division 1 & 2, and Men’s Seniors Masters at both the Bankstown and Tempe venues this Friday 31 August 2007.
This week’s agility tip is from Dodgeball mentor Patches O’Houghlahan,
“If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball”
Many thanks to all coaches and players for their assistance in compiling the Round Six Wrap of the 2007 Vawdon Cup… Good luck to all teams Friday night.
