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August 2002
Under 18s
The Under 18s competition is struggling somewhat. There are only three teams, being Old
Colls, Brighton and Onkaparinga. Our Under 18s are a small but dedicated team who have
been consistently undermanned. Big thanks go to Dave Annandale from Souths for throwing
his lot in with Old Colls all season. We hope to see him next year too. It is worth noting
that the Under 18s across SA were given the option of scrapping the competition, but chose
to plug on. Well done for their commitment to the game and their clubs in the face of such
disappointing circumstances.
Under 16s
So good one week, so not the next. You play like you train and the U16’s are
proof. Poor attendance at training showed greatly in our game. Lack of team cohesion was
the main reason for a season of results that did not reflect the abundance of talent
within this side. A core of players showed commitment and dedication to the team which
would have made senior coaches proud. Hugh, Derek, Simon, Tom, Michael, and Guy deserve
rich praise for showing up week in, week out. Recent weeks have shown what we were capable
of. A monumental first win for the season came against the Vikings. 60 minutes of
commitment and passion saw the Vikings capitulate to a team showing fiery self belief.
“Pig” (who some call Tristan) showed us what running as hard as you can will
bring, Robbie tackled aggressively and made defence attack as result. Henry became the U16
Mailman – he delivered. Giles ran clever angles to make consistent yards. Oliver and
Simon worked hard in the pressure positions of half and 5/8. This effort was reproduced on
a number of occasions but unfortunately we fell agonisingly short of victory. 2 point
losses to Brighton and Souths could have altered the season had they been narrow wins
instead. Tackling is an integral part of Rugby and Tim produced stunning tackles
throughout the season. Dan followed suit and regularly brought down larger opponents. If
only the team’s tackling had been that consistent…The Under 16s competition
consisted of six teams. Old Colls Under 16s unfortunately did not make the finals.
17 AUGUST 2002 – Old Collegians 0 vs Brighton 40
24 AUGUST 2002 – Old Collegians 12 vs Onkaparinga 62
Under 14s
The Under 14s competition in SA consists of only 4 teams. The OC U14s have had their
work cut out for them in a competition where many of their opposition outsize them
significantly. With only four teams, the u14s were always going to make the finals.
However, that fact notwithstanding, their commitment and dedication are commendable.
17 AUGUST 2002 – Old Collegians 0 vs Brighton 24
24 AUGUST 2002 – Old Collegians 5 vs Brighton 12
MATCH REPORT: This week the Under 14s faced Brighton. The boys have been playing some fine
flamboyant barbarian style rugby this year, but have always been lacking on some areas of
their game. After several weeks of intensive fitness training, we went into this game with
our best chance of a win in 2002. Fly half, Jem Shimmield, led out a team full of fire
that could finally live up to their full potential. After going down to an early try from
some fat kid plating No. 8 for Brighton, it was up to some of the big guys in the Old
Colls pack to bring them back into the game. “Big” Sam O’Connell led front
the front with some big hits. However, it was left to the smallest players on the pitch
(Daniel Larcombe and Rory Sheppard) to keep the hopes alive with some fine try saving
defence. Late in the second half after an excellent attacking move and a Gary Owen from
centre Toby, Rory ran onto the ball and scored the try. At one try a piece this was a very
much deserved score line, and justice would have been done but for the fat kid scoring
again in the dying seconds.
Under 12s
The Under 12s competition in SA consists of 8 teams.
The OC U12s have performed very well this year, and have some excellent players. They have
won 9 of their 14 games and will play in the finals. It is worth noting that they have
only lost to two teams, being Onkaparinga and Brighton Gold.
17 AUGUST 2002 – Old Collegians 5 vs Brighton Gold 34
24 AUGUST 2002 – Old Collegians 29 vs Brighton Black 12
MATCH REPORT: On 24 August the Old Colls Under 12s team ventured to a place called Dry
Creek to play a Burnside/North Torrens team. Riddled with injury, the Old Colls team could
only manage to field a team of only nine (compared to a full team of twelve) but were
boosted with a couple of the Burnside players. Throughout the first half, the Old Colls
boys dominated possession thanks to the inspirational rucking and mauling work shown by
the forwards (Andrew Bradley, Carl Coetcee, Jack Campion and Henry Stevens) and determined
running shown by the backs, especially Edward Lucas and Rupert Weaver who ended up bagging
a couple of tries each. Towards the end of the first half and the first ten minutes of the
second half, the boys lost their concentration and Burnside were coming back into the game
by scoring a couple of tries. However, the Under 12 boys dug in, with a lot of great
tackling shown by all players, especially Henry Stevens who in the space of 30 seconds
tackled five Burnside players. In the end the Under 12s eventually ran out convincing
winners at 29 to 12. The best players on the day were Edward Lucas and Henry Stevens.
Under 10s
3/8/02:
Weather was fine, which was lucky as the forecast was for 13° with rain and hail. We
played Southern Suburbs, with a final score of 7 to 1. Our try was scored by Bill Meegan.
Xavier Spizzo was the captain and made sure that the players all kept in their correct
place on the field. The team played well. All players put in a good effort, particularly
Hugh in the mauls. We must ensure that we win the ball after our hard work. Tackling
improved this week, but we still need more practice! Well done!!
10/8/02:
Fine day. We played Brighton. The score was 7-5 to Brighton. Tries: Bill Meegan x 2, Hugh
Barrett x 1 & Mackenzie Vann x 2. Brighton only had 8 players and those missing were
their forwards, so we played 8 a side. This was much harder, particularly at scrums with
only 4 players in the backs. It was nevertheless a terrific match. Wednesday night mauling
training is paying off. The team did really well, passing the ball more when getting
tackled or when about to get into a maul, rather than hanging onto it. Ball retention was
much better and support has improved. We still need to do more work on tackling. 24/8/02:
We played the Vikings. It was a sunny day. The score was 8-1 to the Vikings. It was a
terrific and close match which is not reflected in the score, which even the ref made a
point of saying. We had good strong mauls, and the said we were very strong in that area.
Some great driving was done. Great work by almost all of the team who got in there when it
counted. The forwards worked well and all the team made some terrific tackles. A wonderful
try by Hugh Barrett too, well deserved.
17 August 2002 was the U8's & U10's picnic day. Many attended the picnic
organised and held at Glenelg. It was a nice gathering, lovely weather and a good catch up
with the parents and families of the children. The kids enjoyed themselves having a bit of
a scratch match.
Thanks go to Rebecca McCartan for organising this day.
Under 8's: Coach: D. Armstrong
The Great Eights!
There has been a fantastic effort at games over the last few weeks. There have been great
improvements in passing, fewer off-sides and even some on field concentration! Both kids
and parents are having fun. Ryan is one of the most improved, with several great runs.
It's also good to see the girls, Louise and Bridget, giving it all. The Elder Statesmen,
Jake, Pete and Noah, are solid as usual. Welcome back to Grayson and Tom.
6 July 2002
Under 10's: Coach: J. Penhall
OC 2 v Vikings 7
Weather was fine & sunny. We had 3 players unable to play (Darcy, Xavier, &
Darren). Everyone now in the team has had the flu so it should be smooth sailing from now
on! The Vikings lent us a player & we had Jake McMahon from the U8's too. Jake was
captain. It was a great match & appeared very even, even though the score doesn't
really reflect this. Tries scored for Old Colls by Mackenzie & Bill. The encouragement
award went to Nick Bell, who is improving well.
OC v Brighton (yes, again!!)
Captain was Nick Bell and the Encouragement Award went to Chester Armstrong. This was the
best match this season, even though the score was 7 to 5 to Brighton. Darren Pinkerton
(Speedy Gonzales) scored all of our five tries. Mackenzie did a beautiful run, almost
ending in a try. Brighton scored their last two tries in the last three minutes. They are
a good team to play against and we enjoy playing against them. The weather was fine, thank
goodness after all the rain we'd had. Some great tackling. The BEST tackle by Darcy Sadler
against the largest player on the field and she did it beautifully! Bill Meegan hung on to
a player and was dragged along for about six metres. Xavier made his best tackle to date.
Well done everyone!
Under 14's: Coaches: J. Ovenell & J. Collins
The Under 14s have been playing well, but are simply outsized by their opponents. Their
coaches insist that all they need to be unbeatable is one big, fast kid. All the other
teams have one, where is ours? Eh?
Under 16's: Coaches: S. Douglas & B. Hamer
We played Brighton with a full team for the first time, and played like absolute
champions. We dominated possession and territory for most of the match. Unfortunately, a
few lapses in concentration cost us points (full-blooded Collegians already!) and despite
exerting extreme and continued pressure on Brighton's line, we fell inches short. The week
after, we played Onkas and failed to continue our form. A poor first half saw us overrun
by Onkas who simply ran straight and hard. Outstanding running from Tristan, from the
front row! Simon Kenny (second row) continues his great season with excellent lineout work
and strong running.
29th June 2002
Under 10s: OC 1 v Burnside 5
Conditions: very muddy & wet. Captain: Hugh Barrett. Good teamwork & defence for
OC. Very slippy conditions. Mackenzie attempted a tackle and literally "slipped"
to the ground, just couldn't get a grip!! Had a little controversy with the U10 rules, as
the ref was told that there were contested scums. We'll ensure that future ref's get a
copy of the rules before the match!! Well played by everyone. Encouragement award went to
Xavier Spizzo.
15th June 2002
Under 10s: OC v Brighton WE WON!!!!!
The team I said we could beat!! A great game played by all. Real team work. Some great
runs by Nick Bell & Mackenzie Vann. Try scorers: Hugh Barrett 2, Darren Pinkerton 2,
Bill Meegan 2, & Mackenzie Vann 1. It just shows you that the hard work put into
training pays off!!
Sunday, 2 June:
The U14's played the state U12's at Tregenza as a friendly before the state boys go to
Melbourne for Griff Hunt. We're not sure of the score, but we're pretty sure our
14's won because we heard them singing the club song downstairs!!).
1 June 2002
U10s: OC v Vikings. Captain: Darren Pinkerton. Encouragement Award: Mackenzie
Vann.
It was nice to see an improvement in the teams' approach. They are getting to know their
positions better. They have been drilling a lot on mauls & going to ground, and we
hope to see more going to ground in the next round of matches. They are still working hard
on tackling, too.
U14s: Brighton (46) v OC (0). It was the lads' best game yet. They are a great
team, full of potential and coming together well.
U16s: Vikings (45) v OC (15). A good effort. We'd do much better if we had
more numbers at training and on game days.
U18s: Brighton (39) v OC (12).
The boys are working very hard and putting up a feisty effort each week against teams with
a full complement of players. As from June we will have a couple of extra players
from Souths, but we are still looking for players
25th May 2002:
U10s: OC v Burnside. Captain: Chester Armstrong. Encouragement Award: D'Arcy Sadler.
The weather was fine. There were many mauls & we won a lot of ball. Great strength was
shown by the forwards and some good drives. Even though we didn't score, the effort was
terrific.
U16s: No game. Only a handful of our lads showed up. Tsk. tsk.
18th May 2002:
Under 10s: OC v Souths? Encouragement Award: Darren Pinkerton.
Thanks go to Danny McCartan for coaching this game. It was wet, windy & woolly and was
a pretty tough match just fighting the elements alone.
Under 14's Coaches: J. Ovenell & J. Collins
OC (0) v Onka's (42) - During the game, a tornado (we kid you not) ripped through the
area, taking trees & roofs with it. The coaches didn't notice - must've been a very
engaging game!
Under 18's Coach: A. Brummer
OC (0) v Onkaparinga (68). It came to our attention that there are more fathers in the
Onkas U18s than there are in OC's first grade!
11th May 2002:
Under 8s Coach: D. Armstrong
Onkas v OC - The brave U8s faced a more experienced and larger team from Onkas. There were
many players who had learned from the first match to get onside or face "the electric
fence". We were slightly outscored and at times a little confused by the field layout
and coloured cones. Great effort and good chasing all game. Thanks again to the ref, Brian
McMahon.
Under 10's Coach: J. Penhall
Onkas v OC. Captain was Mackenzie Van. Encouragement Award: Bill Meegan.
It was a very tough game against a very tough team. Collegians never lost hope and
defended well. Quote of the Day: "Do I have to go in the scrum? The other team's all
wet & sticky."
Under 16's Coaches: S. Douglas & B. Hamer
Eliz v OC - We were 2 players short at start and then 1 player later. The boys put in an
outstanding effort and dominated the first half of game, which was unfortunately not
reflected on the scoreboard. Injuries and fatigue unluckily made the job much harder, but
promising signs are showing for the rest of the season if we can find a few more payers.
4th May 2002:
Under 8s
Our junior Tregenza Times editor Jake Armstrong (who plays in the U8's) tells us it was
great fun!!
Under 10s
An excellent game from the whole team, with tries great tackling from Darcy Sadler, Darren
Pinkerton and Hugh Barrett. The Coach's Award for the week went to Hugh, and he gets a new
pair of socks care of Physio Direct. Try scorers included Darren and Hugh.
Under 12s - 0 v 33
This was a fantastic game for our lads. Only nine Collegians faced the twelve Vikings, and
despite the numbers still produced this great score.
Under 14s - 12 v 30
A disappointing result for the U14s, who in the future will no doubt put in the effort and
commitment at training necessary to improve their game. Both Will and Jem had very good
games.
It was noted that both coaches, and the manager Ben Rokobaro, got lost trying to find the
pitch ...
Under 16s - 10 v 28
We only had twelve lads for this game, and more are needed! In the circumstances, those
who turned up played very well in the 28 degree heat.
Onkas is apparently very hard to find, Ben Hamer was waylaid along with the U14s coaches!
Under 18s
In a very disappointing show of numbers, Collegians only had three players turn up for the
U18s game. This was most unfair to the three who had made the effort. Some Brighton lads
and the U16s bolstered their numbers to make up a seven aside game. Well done to Michael
Lebbon, who scored the two tries.
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