With the Suburban Rugby season coming to finals time, there are a few crackers this week.
Div 2 – Barker have taken the Club Championship and will field 4 teams in the finals. Hunters Hill were in with a run at the Club championship being 24 points ahead going into the final week, but failed to gain the points in their clash with Briars in first grade to get the promotion to Division 1 next year.
So lets look at the semi’s for this week
1st Grade – Barraclough Cup
Major semi – BoB’s took out the Minor Premiership and play Briars in the 1st week for a chance to go straight to the GF. Each have won a game away against each other and at neutral territory it could go either way with both having points differentials. BoB’s defence is quite good, but do seem to concede a few tries when they give away silly penalties.
If they can keep this out of their game I think they can win in a tight one.
Minor Semi – King’s Old Boy’s take on Hunters Hill.
Again these teams are quite evenly matched and both games to date have been won by a point, with KoB’s running out winners both times. Both teams have similar records this year and have only really dropped a game here or there against sides outside the top 4. KoB’s have only dropped 1 game in the back end of the season.
Hard to call but think KoB’s by a point
2nd Grade – Stockdale
Major Semi – Hunters Hill took the MP with one less win than their opponents this week St Ives. Whilst St Ives have ground out their wins this season Hunters Hill have been more flamboyant and scored a considerable amount of points and gaining 13 out of a possible 18, 4 try plus bonus points.
However, Bonus points don’t count for anything in the post season and I think the grinding St Ives will get the points in a tight one as they did on both occasions during the season, dropping their last game in round 4.
Minor Semi – UNSW and BoB’s seem to be playing just to make up the numbers here, with the strength really being in the major semi. Whilst UNSW finished below BoB’s on the table their recent form would suggest that they will get the points in this game. Turning a 33 point loss to BoB’s in round 5 into an 18 point win in round 14.
Prediction is UNSW at their home ground.
3rd Grade – Blunt
This was the tightest competition in the division with the final positions coming down to wins in the last round. BoB’s only needed a point to take the Minor Premiership against Oatley. Oatley could have been playing for the Minor Premiership in this game, but by losing a round of points due to disciplinary issues, needed to win with a Bonus point just to make the finals.
Major Semi – Hornsby have had a better attacking record this year and BoB’s the better defensive, so it will be a matter of who does the small things right. But given BoB’s final round loss to Oatley it may be that they are a little flat. Prediction Hornsby by whisker
Minor Semi –KoB’s have been a bit of a bogey side to Oatley in previous years and this year has been no different, winning both games, home and away. Oatley have had an up and down this season in 3rd grade and after losing a round of points, they had struggled to put points on the board (until BoB’s last round). It should be a ripper with both teams keen to go through. Oatley by a try.
4th Grade – Richardson
Waverly have the best team in the comp averaging 35 points for and 3.5 points against. Realistically I do not see any team catching their class.
The team seems to work as a separate entity to the rest of the club. Some would say this is not in the spirit of the game to “stack” a 4th grade side, but I can say from playing them they are there for the right reasons. Ie. To play together as a group of mates. They just happen to be able to play possibly at a solid 1st or 2nd Grade level. But they do make mistakes.
Major Semi – Both teams, Waverly and Newport, have there only grade sides (Excluding Colts) in the finals. Waverly coming last in the CC are looking at relegation to Div 3, so would dearly love to keep their undefeated season alive. Both have good backlines and their respective 1st fives run the game.
However, it will be won here with the Waverly forwards setting the platform, getting clean ball. Whilst Newport are probably the only team I feel can knock of Waverly in the finals, I don’t think this weekend will be it. Maybe in 2 weeks time.
Minor Semi – KoB vs UNSW will be a solid match, but realistically they are playing for 3rd and 4th post season. UNSW have won both of the encounters this year. Realistically UNSW have the better form coming into the semi’s knocking off their opponents and Newport in the last few weeks of the competition. Neither team will stop Waverly, though.
Colts – Robertson Cup
The Colts competition had 2 distinct groups. The top 4 and the rest. Any of the teams could possibly win.
Major Semi – BoB’s deserve their favouritism only dropping 3 games all season, one of which to their opponents Newport. Newport seem to have a solid package, but BoB’s seem to be complete. It will be close either way, but feel that BoB’s have the goods for this game.
Minor Semi – Hornsby Vs Hunters Hill will again be a good game. Both won at home in their games and realistically they are quite evenly match. Hunters Hill have the better defensive record and this should get them over the line in a tight match.
So there’s what’s happening in Suburban Div 2 rugby this weekend.
We’ll see if my predictions come true.
OneJayBee
Roar Rookie
you're a sceptic crashy :) In 2008 Colts, 5s 4s won their GFs, 2nds lost their GF - not sure if that fits in within your argument... Yes we've had strong lower grades for a long time but as I mentioned a lot of long term older guys play there as that's their limit. And 'younger' guys aren't excluded. It'd be great to have ones twos (and everybody) in the gf each year - not always feasible. About 7 of the guys in 5s (to my estimate) are participating in the golden oldies in sydney in a few weeks - most spent many years in higher grades but realistically that is beyond them now. They'll probably sledge me about the last comment as I am trundling around in the golden oldies as well, but I definitely wouldn't cut it in any grade now!! Cheers
Crashy
Guest
call me a sceptic OneJayBee, it just seems that most years of late, Iggies always seem to have 4ths and 5ths in the finals and not any of the upper grades. Regardless, nothing compares to the tribalism of subbies rugby. Agree re golden oldie age - I am almost there myself.
OneJayBee
Roar Rookie
Crashy, not sure what is meant by "Iggies are a Prime Example" I assume of 'stacking' . Beg to differ (declaration of interest - I am a long tgerm member / supporter....) Yes this year 5s (and Colts) are in the GF and the other sides didn't make the semis but they haven't exactly been relegated - 7th in the first division club championship isn't fantastic but hardly horrendous - 2s and 3s finished 6th (seconds were 5 points - ie one bonus point win) out of the top four. 5ths did finish 3rd. If it wasn't for injuries and unavailabilities at crucial stages the top two grades especially would have enjoyed more success, rather than any implied preferential treatment of lower grades.... It would be nice to enjoy seasons where every team makes the gf (as happened in the early 2000s) but it doesn't happen that often! Knowing a number of guys in 5s I can guarantee that as long term players (i.e. golden oldies level) the higher grades aren't really feasible now....it's actually great that they contribute through the lower grades...
Crashy
Guest
Clubs that stack always get their come-uppance. We lost heavily to Newport 4ths in round 2 this year. We then smashed them in 1s, 2s, 3s and colts. Go figure... Iggies are a prime example - the old 4th grade trophy isn't exactly one I covert.
sausages@hotmail.com
Guest
I'm not sure that Waverley's 4th grade being able to play as a group of mates is the right thing for Subbies rugby and especially not for Waverley rugby club. Many within the club would strongly agree that Waverley's demise this year is solely down to 4th grade taking all competitiveness out of the club. A great 5th grade player can't get promoted and an average 3rd grader having a couple of shockers can't get dropped. It takes away from the whole intention of a club. Waverley's current crop of 4th graders are solely using the club as a means for them to play footy. Not on!
Mike G
Guest
Agree with all, great to see an update on Sydney Subbies, cheers... Whilst, of course, there should always be an avenue for those who want to play grade & higher, those involved in the Shute Shield might be a little suprised at just how good some of the better Subbies sides are...certainly in Div 1 there are couple of sides who could seriously test the bottom half of the SS, & I would love to see promotion/relegation come in. I realise this will never happen in the closed shop mentaility of SS, but that's fine...we in Subbies play for the love of the game, & yes, whilst there are clubs who no doubt provide "assisitance" to players, I guess thesedays you just have to accept that as the norm & they will continue to win the Kentwell & not much else each year!
Brett
Guest
...keep the ra ra grass roots mail alive...what about other states...? -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
OneJayBee
Roar Rookie
Hey PTOVEY thanks for an informative guide to the subbies div two semis - great to see some coverage in The Roar for a great grassroots comp. I was involved directly in subbies for almost 30 years and played against many of the teams you mention so it's great to hear some coverage outside the bland results in the subday papers and on the subbies site. Look forward to seeing more reports in weeks to come - especially from the first division if anyone out there can put one together! Well done and good luck to all the semi finalists!
Crashy
Guest
Great to see an article about subbies on the roar. The div 2 comp is a good one with 10 clubs fielding a required 4 grades and colts plus extra halligans, under 85 kg and golden oldie teams - well over 1000 players in the division alone. The subbies comp accross all divisions is such a belter with the promotion relegation sytem. It generally means 2 new teams in each division each year which creates or rekindles rivalries. Another ripper season for the mighty BOBS. WIll be sad to see Al Astley move on as his run has been a success over the last few years. Timmypig - subbies rugby is cyclical. 10 years ago Bobs were forfeiting 2 of the required 5 teams and couldn't buy a win. It was a long, long few years but just requires a few with time and passion. I recall knox old boys languishing in 4th division with 5 blokes at training one night. Now they are dominating 1st division. I do see that Randwick have a close relationship with UNSW. Fire up Bobbies.
Timmypig
Guest
I played all my adult rugby (apart from regimental kick & giggle) with UNSWRFC. It breaks my heart that we're 2nd Div. When Penrith was moved up in 1996 (?) UNSW was Club champions. Penrith were crap that year. UNSW was such a strong club. Hope it's not terminal.
The all new King of the Gorganites
Guest
We are one and the same.
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
keep up the good work. this is rugby heartland and more should be made of it. Go Hunters...............
ptovey01
Roar Pro
T.A.N.K.O.T.G. I believe that Oatley had too many suspensions and temporary suspensions through out the season. Subies has a policy with regards to this. Depending on how many sides you have they give you a quota for the year and then after that they ask to show cause as to the clubs discipline. It seems to be very hard to enforce due to the fact that levels of suspensions(both temporary and extended) could be for a multitude of offences. From repeated infringments to intntional acts. Not to sure how they grade each offence, but i'm sure it would be a sore point in the club. By the way are you any relation to The King of the Gorganites?
The all new King of the Gorganites
Guest
Good wrap up. Informative. What were Oatley's disciplinary issues? must have been serious to lose a round of points. Here's and idea- when will subbies and grade merge? it seems that the top divisions of subbies are getting stronger, with plenty of depth, but grade clubs are struggling. time for a rethink of sydney grassroots rugby?
ptovey01
Roar Pro
I have just been informed that the 3rd grade stas on Oatley were wrong and KoB and Oatley both won games this season.